Senior Contract Reviewer

Overview

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation is seeking a Senior Contract Reviewer to provide advanced-level expertise in the review, drafting, negotiation, and execution of complex clinical and non-clinical research agreements. This role serves as a primary institutional contracting resource, independently addressing complex contractual, regulatory, and operational issues that affect research compliance, study activation, and research continuity.

Responsibilities

• Lead the review, drafting, and negotiation of high-complexity research agreements, including master agreements, collaboration agreements, clinical trial agreements, and multi-party subcontracts.
• Serve as the lead contract reviewer for the Red Team supporting Massey Cancer Center, independently resolving complex contractual issues, identifying unacceptable or high-risk terms, and proposing appropriate alternative language.
• Ensure agreements align with university policies, applicable federal and state laws, and sponsor requirements; identify, escalate when necessary, and resolve high-risk contractual issues using sound professional judgment and best practices.
• Review and oversee internal documentation, budget submissions, and contract exhibits to ensure consistency with sponsor requirements and university policies, including F&A rates, conflict of interest (COI), human subjects’ protections, and AAHRPP standards.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local regulatory frameworks governing externally supported clinical research and clinical trials.
• Provide subject matter expertise on regulatory requirements, sponsor guidelines, and institutional policies; guide faculty and research staff on compliance and contractual obligations.
• Ensure agreements meet institutional legal, financial, and ethical standards prior to execution and are accurately documented in university systems.
• Review departmental and School of Medicine Budget Office and Massey Cancer Center submissions for new awards and supplements to confirm accuracy, policy alignment, and consistency with approved proposals and contracts.
• Provide expert guidance to faculty, sponsors, and internal stakeholders regarding contract terms, regulatory requirements, and institutional policies.
• Serve as a primary institutional contracting liaison for high-priority units and participate in study activation and planning discussions to resolve complex contracting issues.
• Collaborate with internal partners (as applicable) including VCU Innovation Gateway, the Office of Research Integrity and Ethics, the Office of Research Subjects Protection, Export Control, and VCUHS stakeholders to support coordinated, efficient, compliant research activation.
• Represent the Division of Sponsored Programs in discussions with external sponsors, contract research organizations, and partner institutions (as applicable).
• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and quality assurance support to junior contract reviewers and research administration staff; review work products for consistency with institutional standards, contract checklists, and best practices.
• Identify training needs related to industry-supported research and clinical trial contracting.
• Support training programs, workshops, and guidance materials for faculty, staff, and research administrators to strengthen institutional contracting capacity.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including special projects, process improvements, and cross-functional collaboration initiatives.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so.
• Only applicants who do not require current or future sponsorship for employment will be considered.
• Proven ability to analyze, interpret, and apply regulatory and contractual requirements, including university policies, sponsor requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with demonstrated attention to detail.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to provide high-quality customer service to a diverse population.
• Ability to manage multiple complex tasks in a fast-paced environment and exercise sound judgment with minimal supervision.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and extensive experience.
• Experience: 3–5 years of progressive professional experience in research administration, specifically focused on drafting and negotiation of complex contracts.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced experience with the Research Administration Management System (RAMS-SPOT) or a comparable sponsored program electronic database.
• Core competencies: exceptional organizational, analytical, and creative problem-solving skills with a proven ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and executing research agreements and clinical trial contracts with for-profit, nonprofit, and federal flow-through sponsors.
• Working knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards related to clinical trials, including contractual obligations governing subject protection, data integrity, monitoring, reporting requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating complex or standard clinical trial agreements, Strategic Partnership Agreements Master Agreements, industry sponsored research contracts, or collaboration agreements.
• Experience serving as a lead reviewer or subject matter expert within a research contracting or sponsored programs office.
• Experience collaborating with units such as clinical trials offices, technology transfer, research integrity, or human subjects’ protection programs.
• Experience developing or delivering training, educational programs, or guidance materials.
• Advanced Degree: Juris Doctor (JD), MBA, or Master’s degree in a related field.
• Professional Certification: MAGI
• Deep familiarity with VCU-specific systems (RAMS-SPOT) and internal policies regarding F&A rates, COI, and knowledge of AAHRPP compliance.
• Experience mentoring staff and leading others.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: 73,600 - 85,000
• Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for a robust benefits package including comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, and opportunities for career development and advancement.

Location & Work Details

• Unit: Office of the Vice President for Research & Innovation
• Department: Division of Sponsored Programs - Industry/Clinical Trials
• FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
• Hours per Week: 40
• Restricted Position: No
• ORP Eligible: No
• Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Remote

Additional Information

• University Job Title: 25234N - Sr Specialist LG 1 - OPEN
• Department Summary: The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation fosters transformative research, discovery, and innovation through excellence in service, partnering with faculty across schools and departments to support funding, study planning, collaborations, budgeting, grant applications, industry contract negotiation, and securing patents and licensing agreements.