Contract Specialist (Remote) - Neurology

Overview

This position serves as a liaison between university stakeholders and external organizations, including companies, major national and international foundations and non-profit entities, and government agencies. Contracting responsibilities are university-wide and include drafting and negotiating industry sponsored clinical trial agreements and other research agreements, including industry research agreements, federal contracts, and non-profit agreements and subagreements for sponsored research activities and clinical trials.

The role manages a large-volume contract portfolio from negotiation through contract closeout. Success requires initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to plan and complete complex assignments, resolve conflicts, and coordinate work with others—often while managing multiple simultaneous tasks under deadline pressure.

Responsibilities

• Manage the contract portfolio of departments and schools, including review and negotiation of all contract-supported activities.
  • Draft and negotiate clinical research agreements, laboratory agreements, data use agreements, confidentiality agreements, collaboration agreements, foundation agreements, federal contracts, sponsored research and service agreements, and sub-awards.
  • Consider investigator needs and proactively identify special considerations.
• Develop, review, and negotiate clinical trial budgets to support appropriate reimbursement for study-related procedures, personnel effort, and institutional costs.
• Advise faculty and staff on issues that could impact contractual relationships or negotiations.
• Review contract and agency guidelines related to intellectual property, publication, communication, financial, and indemnification terms to protect the organization and principal investigators.
  • Flag and address unusual circumstances internally.
  • Provide alternative language and rationale for alternative terms requested by the organization.
• Apply advanced experience, judgment, analysis, and reasoning to independently plan and prioritize work involving complex problems and decisions.
• Ensure a high level of service support for principal investigators, departmental, school, and central administrators.
  • Evaluate risk across transactions and agreements.
  • Maintain standard operating procedures for contract service delivery.
• Coordinate OnCore calendar intake, development, and build processes, including review of study protocols, schedules of assessments, and budget requirements to support accurate calendar configuration for clinical trial invoicing, financial management, and research billing compliance.
• Stay current on regulatory and policy changes impacting the office, including court decisions that affect contract negotiations.
  • Interpret and disseminate contract-related policies, regulations, and guidelines to faculty and staff.
• Maintain electronic records that are consistent and current.
  • Review documents for appropriateness and completeness.
  • Ensure integrity of data captured in the contract tracking system.
  • Provide strategic reports to senior administration as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.
• Typically sitting at a desk or table.
• Office equipment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• No specific certification or professional license required.
• No specific work experience required.
• No driver’s license required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Juris Doctor or a combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
• Relevant experience (5 Years), Research Administration or Contract Negotiation (2 Years).

Skills

• Contract negotiations
• Detail-oriented work
• Diplomacy
• Drafting agreements
• Interpersonal relationships
• Negotiation
• Oral and written communication
• Policies & procedures
• Professional etiquette
• Research administration
• Self-awareness
• Sound judgment
• Stress management
• Task organization
• Working independently
• Workload prioritization

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $58,400.00 - $99,700.00 annually

Benefits (Highlights):

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• Defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan with employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, EAP, financial resources, and access to dietitians.
• 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with a new child; family care resources for continued childcare needs.
• Tuition support for employees and eligible family members (dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at the organization and 40% elsewhere after seven years).

Location

• Remote, US

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to complete pre-employment screening for this position, which may include a criminal background check and other background checks, drug screen, employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations, and/or governmental registry checks. Offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.