Senior Contract Negotiator

The Office of Research Services (ORS) is the campus shared-services office for pre- and post-award administration, including proposal development and submissions, award acceptance, contract negotiation, subaward and award management and modification, and reporting.
ORS organizes and gives strategic direction to the research program, manages the institutional signature process for the Authorized Organizational Representatives (AORs), provides faculty/staff/student support by reviewing and interpreting sponsor guidelines and regulations, prepares budget documents, reviews proposal packages for conformity to sponsor requirements, and submits and tracks proposals.
ORS is also responsible for ensuring that funded projects are conducted in a manner consistent with the university and sponsor policies and procedures.
ORS, in collaboration with other offices and units in the Division of Research, initiates and facilitates training opportunities for campus research administration staff, private, and foreign organizations.
The Senior Contract Negotiator reviews agencies’ guidelines, regulations, and proposals to ensure that resulting awards will be efficiently monitored and administered.
Primary Purpose of Position The Senior Contract Negotiator reports to the Associate Director, Contract Award and Negotiations in the Office of Research Services.
The Senior Contract Negotiator is responsible for research compliance in contract review, drafting, negotiation, execution, and other aspects of contract administration, thus supporting academic departments, interdisciplinary research centers, and institutional strategic initiatives.
The Senior Contract Negotiator creates, negotiates, reviews, and drafts contractual agreements between the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and federal, state, private, and foreign organizations.
The Senior Contracting Negotiator reviews agencies’ guidelines, regulations, and proposals to ensure that resulting awards will be efficiently monitored and administered.
Summary of Position Responsibilities Review, draft, and negotiate a wide range of research agreements, including Research Funding Agreements, incoming Subcontracts, amendments (funded and non-funded), and other agreements.
Serve as a subject matter expert on research administration, ensuring compliance with state, Federal and University rules, regulations, policies, and practices (such as FAR, Uniform Guidance, sponsor guidelines, etc.
) and provide guidance to staff and faculty in understanding applicable policies and obligations.
Applies extensive knowledge of general contracts and intellectual property law.
The Senior Contract Negotiator is required to keep abreast of new developments in grants and contracts policies and procedures, as well as federal, state, and institutional regulations pertinent to research agreements in order to serve as an up-to-date source of information and guidance for the research community.
The Senior Contract Negotiator is expected to have a sufficient degree of experience, maturity, and good judgment to carry out the functions and responsibilities of the position.
Efficient administration includes responsiveness to the needs of the University and its faculty as well as timeliness to assure adherence to the legal provisions of an award.
Advise University stakeholders on contractual risks, ensuring that all research contracts comply with regulatory and institutional standards.
Expertise in project management, including international collaborations and complex multi-party contracts or subawards.
The Senior Contract Negotiator serves as project manager to maintain systematic control over all incoming and outgoing correspondence related to his/her assigned awards.
Resolve complex research-related issues in cooperation with senior management or key University constituencies.
Unresolved items will be referred to the Associate Director, Contract Award and Negotiations in the Office of Research Services by providing all background data and a recommended course of action.
Ability to negotiate and communicate effectively and diplomatically, both orally and in writing, with both University and agency representatives at all levels.
Maintain open lines of communication with researchers and administrators with both University and agency representatives, ensuring clarity and timely progress in contract matters.
Develop and implement best practices related to contract management and negotiation processes.
Review and approve all authorization documents as needed by the contract/grant.
The Senior Contract Negotiator will establish and maintain contract and grant files in keeping with good administrative practice and using the university’s electronic research administration systems.
Works independently, and receives minimal guidance.
Uses best practices and knowledge of internal and external University issues to improve services.
The Senior Contract Negotiator must be cognizant of additional complex issues to negotiate which include addressing security issues and classification of research as well as the time involved in negotiating contracts.
The Senior Contract Negotiator will identify key clauses for action by the post award management team in the Office of Research Services.
The Senior Contract Negotiator may be asked to provide advice to the college-based research officers as to the allowability of certain terms and conditions of an award.
The Senior Contract Negotiator prepares negotiation memoranda which set forth the results and understandings that resulted from negotiations and update external departments, as needed, working to create compliance of accepted terms and conditions on all grants, contracts, cooperative agreements and sub awards.
The Senior Contract Negotiator acts as a resource and trainer for colleagues with less experience.
The Senior Contract Negotiator will participate in training programs to be conducted by DR/ORS for campus customers.
The Senior Contract Negotiator works closely with the Associate Director, Contract Award and Negotiations in the Office of Research Services, legal staff, Executive Director of Research Commercialization and Development, and the decentralized college-based research officers Minimum Education/Experience Master’s degree and 1-2 years experience; or a Bachelor’s degree and 2-4 years experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience Previous experience negotiating contracts in a college or university setting.
Ability to analyze contract terms and related documents for content issues, and to revise contract terms as needed to accommodate special circumstances.
Understanding of research administration.
Ability to work independently within tight deadlines.
Ability to work well in a team environment.
Necessary Certifications/Licenses N/A Preferred Certifications/Licenses N/A Special Notes to Applicants A hybrid work schedule is available once initial onboarding is completed.
UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.
charlotte.
edu/benefits The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report.
Posting Open Date 04/23/2024 Posting Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Proposed Hire Date 06/03/2024 If time-limited please indicate appointment end date Contact Information