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Job Details:

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. 

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.

• 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.

• 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.

$85,000 + depending on qualifications

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 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.

Coordination/Supervision

• As needed, provide direct supervision/coordinate and expert training of professional and/or administrative staff responsible for review and negotiation of terms and conditions of research contracts, subcontracts, and associated non-financial research agreements to ensure successful contractual operations. 

Other

• Special projects as assigned by Director of Contracting and/or Assistant Director.

• Bachelor's degree.  
• Seven 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.

• 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 seven 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.

$95,000 + depending on qualifications

• May work around standard office conditions
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Occasional weekend, overtime and evening work to meet deadlines

Please mark "yes" on the application for required materials. Failure to attach all additional materials listed may affect candidates being considered for the position.

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.
• Letter of interest

Importantfor applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.