Contract Administrator III - Team Lead

Visa Sponsored Job:

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

Job Location:

Position Type:

Hiring Salary Range: $103,485- $129,357

*Final salary is based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.*

Application Deadline:

• The position will be posted until 11:59:59 pm MDT on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

Required application materials (preferably uploaded as a PDF):

• Resume

• Cover Letter - Please address how your skills and experience meet the requirements for this position and your motivation for applying for this role. For more information, please refer to the Key Responsibilities and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities sections of this job posting.

• Questionnaire (embedded in the application)

Background Check: Conducted for candidate selected for hire. Learn more.

Work Location: This position is open to candidates interested in either a fully-remote or hybrid opportunity (hybrid work would be located at the Foothills Lab Anthese building in Boulder, CO).

Here is a summary of the required responsibilities and expectations for this role.

• Prepares, negotiates, and administers high-risk, complex subcontracts and purchases. Administers all aspects of request for proposal solicitation and subcontract preparation, evaluation, negotiation, award, and monitoring. Analyzes and negotiates terms and conditions of complex subcontracts, leases, and other types of procurement documents. Ensures compliance with procurement policies, procedures, and applicable laws. Performs in-depth price/cost analysis using a number of variables and methods to determine the reasonableness of proposed pricing. Serves as lead evaluation team member responsible for conducting negotiations on complex multi-phased subcontracts. Monitors subcontractor performance and resolves problems directly or with the assistance of technical personnel. Coordinates all aspects of the procurement effort for major procurement projects. Interprets all UCAR agreements, the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), OMB Uniform Guidance, and other applicable regulations and laws. Helps ensure UCAR's compliance with these laws and regulations by monitoring award conditions and filing appropriate reports and certifications. Assures that UCAR personnel adhere to the contractual obligations on all direct awards, through advisement and monitoring of reporting and other responsibilities as outlined in the terms and conditions of all awards.

• Team Lead and mentor for a team of Contract Administrators/Buyers that provides purchasing and contracting services for labs/centers/programs/offices. Reviews and assigns purchase requisitions to individual team members and serves as a primary resource for problem resolution. Works with team members individually on development plans and training. Holds regular team meetings to review workloads. Serves as an approving authority for team members' credit card statements. Serves as a primary liaison for labs/centers/programs/offices providing guidance and assistance on the most economical and efficient methods of procuring goods and services, while remaining compliant to procedures. Provides training for Contract Administrators and other personnel on processes, procedures, compliance issues, and other related topics. Assists in the preparation of annual performance reviews of team members. Serves as mentor for lower-level Contract Administrators and performs peer reviews of their work. Makes presentations to management and to the lab/center/program/office personnel regarding contractual issues and procurement matters. Serves as a backup to the other Team Lead(s). Works with other Office of the CFO departments, other NCAR and UCP personnel, and outside sponsors on special projects.

• Serves as a lead Contract Administrator responsible for the drafting, review, negotiation, and administration of complex, multi-phased prime contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, teaming agreements, and multiple types of zero funded agreements which are directly or indirectly related to funding. Reviews and analyzes terms and conditions and negotiates change or modification, including the composition of alternate language and new provisions, where appropriate. Reviews contracts and agreements for export, liability and risk, intellectual property, legal sufficiency, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and UCAR policies. Advises internal program managers, general counsel, and risk management staff on contractually related issues. Provides guidance to UCAR personnel, including upper management, of risk associated with contract acceptances. Has the ability to draft terms and conditions for new agreements that are consistent with UCAR policies and federal regulations. Works closely with contract, financial, budget, and lab/center/program/office personnel to resolve issues related to contract provisions.

Successful candidates will ensure their resume and other application materials speak to the following criteria:

• Bachelor's degree in business or public administration and at least eight years of government or commercial contracts experience in handling direct funding or purchasing arrangements such as grants, subcontracts, subawards, or cooperative agreements; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Other Requirements:

• Personally Identifiable Information" (PII) is non-public information that is personally identifiable to a single individual. PII may include information such as name, address, email address, phone number, social security number, passport number, credit card information, and other related information. You may be required to enter or submit your PII to a third party on behalf of UCAR for identity verification to conduct transactions as part of this position. You may also be required to handle PII of UCAR employees as part of this position's requirements.

• Expert knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulations, Office of Management and Budget Uniform Guidance, State regulations, industry contract practices, and other government regulatory requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of Federal Appropriations Laws and other federal award practices.
• Expert knowledge in contracts, subcontract, grants, and cooperative agreements administration.
• Comprehensive knowledge of methods of acquisition, government and commercial contract law, uniform commercial codes and contract termination procedures.
• Expert skill in analyzing terms and conditions of complex contracts and subcontracts.
• Advanced skill in managing large, complex, multi-phase contract projects.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with a wide range of people at all levels of an organization.
• Advanced skill in negotiating complex contracts, subcontracts, and other award-related issues.
• Working knowledge of basic not-for-profit accounting, budgeting, and proposal process, including the application of indirect rates and fees.
• Skill in preparing and giving presentations to UCAR personnel and other contracting personnel.
• Advanced knowledge of export, patent, copyright, and technology transfer regulations.
• Advanced skill in identifying liability, risk, export, and intellectual property issues and proposing solutions.
• Ability to interact successfully with all levels of management, scientific and administrative staff both within and external to UCAR.
• Advanced skill in coaching, training, and mentoring personnel.
• An extensive level of attention to detail is required.
• Normal concentration/intensity, which includes prolonged mental effort with limited opportunity for breaks.

UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits. In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance, UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional, and personal development. These include:

• Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities.

• UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one.

• Starting minimum accrual of 20 days of personal time off each year (prorated for less than full-time positions).

• 10 paid holidays.

• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

• Short-term medical leave paid at 100% of your regular salary.

• EcoPass for local Colorado residents to use the Denver and Boulder-area transit system at no cost.

Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.

At NSF NCAR| UCAR | UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun's core.

Flexible Work

At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid (three days per week) and/or flexible work hours.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy.Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.

Export Control

All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations and work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

Work Location

UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

AI Software

ChatGPT and similar AI software are powerful tools that are changing theway society receives, processes, and leverages information promptly. While we acknowledge its benefits and do not restrict leveraging it with job applications, we highly encourage a majority of the applicant material to be original work.