Contract Specialist (Remote) - Neurology

Overview

This position serves as a liaison between university stakeholders and external sponsors, including companies, major national and international foundations and nonprofit entities, and government agencies. Responsibilities include drafting and negotiating industry sponsored clinical trial agreements and other research agreements, including industry research agreements, federal contracts, and nonprofit agreements and subagreements for sponsored research activities and clinical trials.

Role duties include overseeing a large volume contract portfolio from negotiation through contract closeout. The position requires strong initiative to identify and address potential issues, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple simultaneous tasks under deadline pressure while coordinating effectively with others.

Responsibilities

• Manage the contract portfolio for departments and schools by reviewing and negotiating contract-supported activities.
• Draft and negotiate a variety of agreements, including 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 investigators’ needs and proactively identify special considerations.
• Develop, review, and negotiate clinical trial budgets to ensure appropriate reimbursement for study-related procedures, personnel effort, and institutional costs.
• Advise faculty and staff on issues that may impact contractual relationships or negotiations.
• Review contract and agency guidelines related to intellectual property, publication, communication, financial terms, and indemnification to protect institutional and principal investigator interests.
• Flag unusual circumstances internally and propose alternative language and explanations for alternative terms requested by the university.
• Use advanced knowledge and extensive experience to independently plan and prioritize work involving difficult problems and/or decisions.
• Provide high-quality service support to principal investigators and department, school, and central administrators.
• Evaluate risk associated with a variety of transactions and agreements and maintain standard operating procedures for contract service delivery.
• Coordinate OnCore calendar intake, development, and builds, including:
  • Review of study protocols
  • Schedules of assessments
  • Budget requirements
  • Configuration supporting clinical trial invoicing, financial management, and research billing compliance
• Stay current on regulatory and policy changes affecting the office and interpret and disseminate contract-related policies, regulations, and guidelines to faculty and staff.
• Maintain awareness of court decisions impacting contract negotiations.
• Maintain electronic records that are consistent and current, including document review for completeness and appropriateness.
• Ensure integrity of data captured in the contract tracking system and provide strategic data to senior administration through reports as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.
• Physical effort typically involves sitting at a desk or table.
• Use of standard office equipment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• No specific certification/professional license required
• No specific work experience required
• A driver’s license is not required

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Juris Doctor or a combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
• Work Experience: Relevant experience (5 years); research administration or contract negotiation (2 years)
• Skills:
  • Contract negotiations
  • Detail-oriented work
  • Diplomacy
  • Drafting agreements
  • Interpersonal relationships
  • Negotiation
  • Oral communications
  • Policies & procedures
  • Professional etiquette
  • Research administration
  • Self-awareness
  • Sound judgment
  • Stress management
  • Task organization
  • Working independently
  • Workload prioritization
  • Written communication

Compensation & Benefits

• Grade: G12
• Salary Range: $58,400.00 - $99,700.00 annually (base salary)

Benefits include:

• 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 and employer contributions starting at 7%

Wellness:

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, and access to dietitians

Family:

• 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with a new child
• Family care resources for continued childcare needs
• Tuition coverage for you and your family (dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at the university and 40% elsewhere after seven years)

For detailed benefits and eligibility, policies are available through the university benefits page.

Location

Remote, US.

Schedule

40 hours

EEO Statement

The employer is committed to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity or shared ancestry, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. As a federal contractor, affirmative action programs are maintained to implement equal employment opportunity policy for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), as amended.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position, which includes a criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, 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.

Application Accommodation

If you are unable to use the online application system and would like an accommodation, request accommodation support through the employer’s accommodation process.