JOB SUMMARYThis specialized shared-services position is housed within UT Southwestern's Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) and is dedicated to supporting sponsored research contracting for Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. Unlike general SPA contracting assignments, this role provides focused support to Cancer Center investigators and research teams, independently managing complex industry agreement negotiations, coordinating specialized institutional reviews, and maintaining continuity of contracting services for the Cancer Center's research portfolio. The position requires specialized knowledge, independent judgment, and accountability for timely agreement execution.
BENEFITSUT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
- Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATIONRequired- Education
Bachelor's Degree in business, finance, healthcare administration, legal studies, research administration, or a related field.
- Experience
5 years progressively responsible experience in clinical research contracting, contract administration, sponsored programs, or a related field, including independent agreement review or negotiation.
Preferred- Education
Advanced degree, JD, MS in Law, paralegal education or similar credentialing preferred.
- Experience
Academic medical center and multi-site clinical trial contracting experience preferred.
JOB DUTIES- Assesses the alignment of agreement terms with study protocols, budgets, informed consent documents, and related materials; negotiates appropriate financial protections and cost recovery; and coordinates resolution of complex or nonstandard provisions with institutional subject-matter experts.
- Independently reviews, drafts, negotiates, and coordinates execution of clinical trial agreements, including multi-site outgoing clinical trial contracts and related agreements.
- Reconciles contractual terms with interrelated study documents, including clinical trial agreements, informed consent documents (including foreign-language versions when applicable), protocols, budgets, and applicable terms and conditions.
- Identifies, evaluates, and mitigates contractual, regulatory, operational, and financial risks; escalates nonstandard or precedent-setting provisions when appropriate.
- Negotiates pre-award financial provisions to protect institutional interests, support appropriate cost recovery, and mitigate exposure to unreimbursed costs.
- Assesses alignment of protocol-driven costs, study budgets, payment schedules, and contract terms with institutional financial stewardship expectations.
- Negotiates payment milestones, invoicing and reimbursement provisions, price-escalation limits, and other financial terms affecting cost recovery and financial exposure.
- Collaborates internally with SPA Clinical Operations, Coverage Analysis, and study teams such as SCCC and others to evaluate financial assumptions, regulatory dependencies, billing implications, and study-level financial performance.
- Coordinates ancillary review with Legal Affairs, HRPP, Technology Development, Privacy, Compliance, and other institutional offices based on agreement risks and requirements.
- Develops negotiation strategies and communicates institutional positions to sponsors, CROs, collaborating sites, and internal stakeholders.
- Maintains accurate agreement records, monitors negotiation status and dependencies, and recommends improvements to streamline templates, processes, and controls.
- Supports training, cross-functional initiatives, documentation requests, and institutional audits.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities- Knowledge of clinical trial agreement terms, institutional contracting standards, and research regulatory requirements.
- Ability to independently negotiate complex agreements, assess contractual and financial risk, and recommend appropriate resolutions.
- Understanding of clinical trial budgets, payment structures, cost recovery, and the relationship between protocols, consent documents, and contract terms.
- Strong analytical, written communication, organizational, and cross-functional collaboration skills; ability to manage competing priorities.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONSPhysical RequirementsWorking ConditionsSalary InformationSalary is commensurate with education, skills, and relevant experience.
