Senior Contract Specialist (Remote) - Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research

Overview

This position serves as the liaison between university stakeholders and 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 research agreements and other research agreements, including 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. It requires strong initiative to recognize potential problems and address them independently while working effectively as part of a team.

Scheduled Hours

• 40 hours

Responsibilities

• Manage the contract portfolio of departments and schools, including review and negotiation of contract-supported activities.
  • Draft and negotiate a variety of agreements, such as clinical research agreements, laboratory agreements, data use agreements, confidentiality agreements, collaboration agreements, foundation agreements, federal contracts, sponsored research and service agreements, and subawards.
  • Advise faculty and staff on issues that could impact contractual relationships or negotiations.
  • Review contract and agency guidelines regarding intellectual property, publication, communication, financial and indemnification terms to safeguard the interests of the university and principal investigators.
  • Flag and address unusual circumstances internally; provide alternative language and compelling explanations for alternative terms requested by the university.
  • Adapt advanced knowledge of skills, methods, practices, policies, and procedures, applying innovation, analysis, and reasoning to independently plan and prioritize work involving difficult problems and/or decisions.
• Ensure high-quality service support to principal investigators, departmental, school, and central administrators.
  • Evaluate risk associated with transactions and agreements.
  • Maintain standard operating procedures for contract service delivery.
  • Maintain awareness of regulatory and policy changes impacting the office.
  • Maintain awareness of court decisions impacting contract negotiations.
  • Interpret and disseminate contract-related policies, regulations, and guidelines to faculty and staff.
  • Assist with training new contract specialists.
  • Assist in developing JROC resource materials and guidance documents for negotiations.
• Maintain electronic records consistent with required standards.
  • Review documents for appropriateness and completeness.
  • Ensure integrity of data captured in the contract tracking system.
  • Provide strategic data to senior administration through reports as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) or PhD, or a combination of education and experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications / Professional Licenses

• No specific certification or professional license is required.

Required Work Experience

• Relevant experience: 7 years

Skills

• Not Applicable

Preferred Qualifications

• Research Administration or Contract Negotiation: 2 years
• No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
• No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Additional Skills

• Agency Law
• Communication
• Contract Agreements
• Contract Law
• Contract Modifications
• Contract Negotiations
• FDA Compliance
• Insurance
• Licensing Agreements
• Paralegal Education
• Patent Licensing
• Prioritization
• Research Compliance
• Self-Organization (Business)
• Sound Judgment
• Working Independently
• Writing

Driver’s License

• A driver’s license is not required.

Compensation & Benefits

• Grade: G15
• Salary Range: Base pay is commensurate with experience.
  • The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the university. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade, and department budget.

Benefits (Summary)

Personal

• 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, combining employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

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

Family

• 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with a new child.
• Family care resources for continued childcare needs.
• Coverage for tuition for employees and their family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at the university and 40% elsewhere after seven years with the university.

Location

• Remote, US

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to 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 (as applicable). Offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Equal Opportunity

The organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and provides equal opportunity and access in employment without regard to race, ethnicity, 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.