Contract Officer or Senior Contract Officer, Office of Sponsored Projects
Description
Job Posting Title
Contract Officer or Senior Contract Officer, Office of Sponsored Projects
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Hiring Department
Office of Sponsored Projects
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Position Open To
All Applicants
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Weekly Scheduled Hours
40
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FLSA Status
To Be Determined at Offer
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Earliest Start Date
Ongoing
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Position Duration
Expected to Continue
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Location
AUSTIN, TX
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Job Details
General Notes
The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) serves as the coordinating office for externally funded research and sponsored projects at The University of Texas at Austin. The mission of OSP is to assist faculty and professional research staff in their efforts to secure and ensure proper stewardship of external funding. We do that by assisting research faculty and staff with the following: proposal review, authorization, and submission; award negotiations and acceptance; account management; close-out, reports, audits, collection; professional development and education; export control, and research compliance.
UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
- Retirement contributions
- Paid vacation and sick time
- Paid holidays
- Fully remote
Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.
Purpose
Support the Research Community at the University of Texas at Austin in the capacity of Contract Officer or Senior Contract Officer within the Office of Sponsored Projects. Responsible for the management of agreement portfolios that include sponsored research agreements, subawards, and other research-related contracts. Primary duties are to evaluate, draft, negotiate, and execute research agreements. The Contract Officer or Senior Contract Officer will ensure research agreements are in compliance with University policies, contractual requirements, federal and state laws and regulations. This position will act as the primary contract point of contact for assigned units.
Contract Officer
Responsibilities
Agreement Negotiation and Compliance
- Independently and skillfully draft, review and negotiate sponsored research agreements, outgoing subaward agreements, non-financial agreements, and other research related agreements to ensure compliance with University policies, federal and state law and regulations, including terms regarding intellectual property, publication, insurance/ indemnification, export control, governing law, disputes, invoicing and payment, etc. Prepare and submit in a timely manner detailed written exceptions and recommendations on contractual language to the other party; hold negotiation meetings, as required, and keep stakeholders informed of the contract negotiation status until all contractual issues are resolved. The types of agreements include but are not limited to sponsored project agreements, research contracts, subaward agreements and subcontracts, non-disclosure agreements, consortium agreements, material transfer agreements, data use agreements, and teaming agreements.
- Evaluate, mitigate, and outline financial and compliance risks in research contracts to OSP management, including outlining all risks associated with clauses not conforming to University of Texas System Board of Regents Rules and/or University policy. Review documentation upon receipt of agreement for compliance and coordinate with appropriate University offices (e.g. Discovery to Impact, Risk Management Office, Research Security Office, or Office of Legal Affairs) to address compliance issues, including environmental health and safety, human subjects (IRB), animal subjects (IACUC), and budgetary compliance for cost sharing, time and effort, and facilities and administrative costs.
Contractual Advice and Communication
- Provide expert written and verbal advice regarding the interpretation of federal, state, contractual requirements, grant and funding regulations, University and UT System policies and procedures, and Office of Sponsored Project's policies. Contribute to the development and implementation of procedures and/or policies to improve contract workflow and ensure compliance. Acknowledge and respond to communications in a timely manner, this includes taking action or forwarding correspondence as appropriate, following up on the status of outstanding actions, and communicating results to stakeholders. Demonstrate excellent ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written form.
Contract Management
- Daily oversight and management of assigned agreement portfolio to ensure timely actions and workload efficiency. Responsible for prioritizing agreement assignments with appropriate consultation with OSP management. Enter and maintain thorough and accurate documentation, data and negotiation notes related to agreements and related actions into UT Research Management Suite (UTRMS) and E-Share Repository.
Other
- Special projects as assigned by Director of Contracting and/or Assistant Director.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree.
- Six years of experience drafting and negotiating sponsored research agreements and research-related contracts.
- Demonstrated experience in contract preparation, including drafting, review, and revision of key terms (e.g. intellectual property, publication, confidentiality).
- Experience negotiating with federal, state, academic, industry, and other partners.
- Thorough knowledge of federal, state, local and University guidelines and regulations.
- Highly skilled in complex contract negotiations and management of contract portfolios, with strong analytic and critical thinking skills, accustomed to a fast-paced environment with competing deadlines.
- Exceptional customer service and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
- Must work well with others and contribute positively to the organization, team and University.
- Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in law, business administration, public administration, or related field.
- Graduate or professional degree in law, business administration, public administration, related field.
- More than six years of experience in management, preparation, processing, and negotiation of research contracts.
- University or UT System experience.
- Expert knowledge of University intellectual property policy.
- Demonstrated knowledge in the development of research budgets.
- Ability to work independently.
- Experience with Huron Research Suite product.
Salary Range
$85,000 + depending on qualifications
Senior Contract Officer
Responsibilities
Agreement Negotiation and Compliance
- Independently and expertly draft, review and negotiate sponsored research agreements, outgoing subaward agreements, non-financial agreements, and other research related agreements to ensure compliance with University policies, federal and state law and regulations, including terms regarding intellectual property, publication, insurance/ indemnification, export control, governing law, disputes, invoicing and payment, etc. Prepare and submit in a timely manner detailed written exceptions and recommendations on contractual language to the other party; hold negotiation meetings, as required, and keep stakeholders informed of the contract negotiation status until all contractual issues are resolved. The types of agreements include but are not limited to sponsored project agreements, research contracts, subaward agreements and subcontracts, non-disclosure agreements, consortium agreements, material transfer agreements, data use agreements, and teaming agreements.
- Evaluate, mitigate, and outline financial and compliance risks in research contracts to OSP man