Job Description
This Contracts Negotiator serves in an important position in the Office of Sponsored Programs responsible for comprehensive contract administration, including the review, drafting, negotiation, and execution of sponsored research and related agreements with federal agencies, industry sponsors, nonprofit organizations, international entities, and other external partners. The position serves as one of the university's direct representatives for negotiating legal, financial, intellectual property, publication, confidentiality, data security, export control, and other research-related contract terms. Responsible for exercising sound judgment, decision-making, and problem-solving skills in the negotiation of contracts (including amendments, modifications, subcontracts, and master agreements as necessary), and for assisting in the development of administrative procedures to comply with regulations affecting governmental, international, and industry-sponsored research. Liaison between sponsors, departments, principal investigators, internal compliance offices, University Legal Counsel, LINK, and other sponsored programs teams as necessary to facilitate timely agreement execution and support strategic research partnerships. This position offers the opportunity to negotiate cutting-edge research partnerships involving emerging technologies, intellectual property, data sharing, and global research collaborations.
The position is located on the Blacksburg, Virginia campus and is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with a weekly in-office presence. Given the sensitivity of the contracts under negotiation, this position is restricted to U.S. citizens with an active security clearance.
Required Qualifications
-Advanced degree in Public or Business Administration, finance, law, or related field(s), or Bachelor's degree with significant professional experience.
- Demonstrated financial, contract administration, procurement, legal, sponsored research administration, or related experience supporting complex business operations.
- Ability to analyze, negotiate, and interpret complex contractual terms and conditions, including intellectual property, publication rights, confidentiality, liability allocation, data protection, and regulatory compliance provisions.
- Experience in the management and/or negotiation of complex contracts that include classified contracts and federal FAR clauses.
- Independent initiative to interpret and apply regulations, policies, contractual requirements, or compliance frameworks in a research, government, higher education, legal, contracting, or business environment.
- Experience building processes and strategies to facilitate efficient and effective research administration and/or contract negotiation.
- U.S. citizen with an active security clearance with the ability to maintain the clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience and efficiency serving as the lead negotiator in the negotiation of complex contracts (such as those involving intellectual property, publication restrictions, export control, proprietary and confidential information) as well as familiarity with federal and non-federal regulations and guidelines.
- Experience negotiating research, technology, business, or commercial agreements in a corporate, government, nonprofit, academic, healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, technology, defense, or research environment.
- Experience negotiating agreements with industry sponsors, multinational organizations, or foreign institutions.
- Knowledge of university administrative and/or accounting practices and procedures.
- Juris Doctor (J.D.), Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM), Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), Project Management Professional (PMP), or similar professional credential.
- Active TS/SCI security clearance.
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Regular
Salary Information
$95,000 - 115,000, commensurate with experience
Hours per week
40+
Review Date
December 10, 2026
Additional Information
Due to the nature of contracts, this position will be responsible for reviewing, the position is restricted to US citizens with an active clearance.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
