Senior Contract Negotiator, Office of Sponsored Projects

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

• Eligible for fully remote telework

Please visit our to learn more about the total benefits offered.

Support the Research Community at the University of Texas at Austin in capacity of Contracts Coordinator for the Office of Sponsored Projects. Primary duties are to review and negotiate sponsored research contracts, agreements and subcontracts, and make recommendations on terms, compliance risks and other contractual issues by interpreting University and sponsor policies and procedures and applying university, state and federal rules, regulations and laws as they relate to sponsored research.

• CONTRACT/AGREEMENT NEGOTIATION: Independently drafts, reviews and negotiates new sponsored research agreements for compliance with University policies, federal and state law and regulations, including terms regarding intellectual property, publication, insurance/indemnification, export control, governing law, disputes, budget, invoicing and payment. Independently drafts, reviews and negotiates non-financial research agreements, including non-disclosure agreements, material transfer agreements, data use agreements, teaming agreements, etc., to align with University policies, and federal and state law and regulations. Independently submits detailed written exceptions and recommendations on contractual language in a timely manner to sponsors; coordinates negotiation meetings, as required, regarding contractual language with sponsors/contracting party legal offices, technical representatives and University researchers. Independently drafts and negotiates standard and some more complex sponsored research and non-financial agreements when such agreements are not provided by the sponsor. Works collaboratively, under minimal supervision, with teams within Office of Sponsored Projects and appropriate University offices in the review and handling of various contractual issues (e.g., Discovery to Impact, Risk Management Office, Research Security Office, Office ofthe Vice President for Legal Affairs and The University of Texas System Office of General Counsel).
• CONTRACT MANAGEMENT: Independently reviews terms and conditions of pre-award solicitations at the proposal stage and provides proposal exceptions for submission to the sponsor; reviews and finalizes contract modifications, including funding increments, extensions, and various revisions to terms and conditions; collaborates with other OSP functional areas on the handling of post-award contract issues including, but not limited to, to re-budgeting, invoicing, payment concerns and reporting issues. Enters and maintains thorough and accurate documentation, data and negotiation notes related to agreement and modification actions into UT Research Management Suite (UTRMS) and E-Share Repository.
• COMMUNICATION: Responds, or acknowledges, email or phone communication within 48 hours & communicates results of follow-up as appropriate. If volume does not permit timely follow up, communicates with Sr. Manager and/or Associate Director of Contracting for assistance or guidance. Takes action or forwards correspondence as appropriate in a timely manner. Follows up on status of outstanding actions in a timely manner.Sends appropriate award information to the department or sponsor, as requested.Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written form.Serves as a contracts subject matter expert and resource to campus; responds to inquiries or requests for information in a timely manner
• ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION: Enters and maintains data and notes related to contract/agreement, modifications into UTRMS. Logs Correspondence in a timely manner. Saves pertinent budget, compliance, and contract/agreement documents into E-Share. Saves electronic communications, including contract negotiations, PI Memos, etc., into E-Share. Assists in training other Negotiators in processes related to electronic documentation and routing.
• RESEARCH COMPLIANCE: Reviews documentation upon receipt of agreement for compliance with University policies, federal and state law, including issues related to environmental health and safety, human subjects (IRB), animal subjects (IACUC), and budgetary compliance for cost sharing, time and effort, and facilities and administrative costs. Coordinates with Export Control Officer on review of potential export control risks arising from agreements; coordinates the execution of Technology Control Plans (TCPs) to ensure compliance with export control requirements. Coordinates with Information Security Office in review of potential information security risks arising from agreements; coordinates the execution of Confidential Data Control Plans (CDCPs) to ensure compliance with information security concerns.
• OTHER: Trains junior negotiators and administrative associates on Contracts team. Leads or assists Sr. Manager and/or Associate Director of Contracting with drafting training materials, such as standard operating procedures, guidance documents. Participates in professional development and attends conferences to remain current with standard and overall University, local, state and federal guidelines and regulations. Marginal/Incidental functions. Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's Degree.Five years' experience in preparation, processing, and negotiation of contracts and/or grant administration experience.
• Knowledge of federal, state, local and University guidelines and regulations.
• Attention to detail and accustomed to a fast-paced environment with many deadlines. Excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Extensive experience with the use of MS Word and MS Excel software.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

• Graduate or professional degree in business administration, public administration or law.
• More than the required years' experience in preparation, processing, and negotiation of research contracts.
• Experience working with contract negotiation or contract interpretation, including drafting language and subsequent negotiation.
• Experience in University setting. Knowledge of University intellectual property policy.
• Demonstrated knowledge in the development of research budgets.
• Ability to work independently.

$74,000 + depending on qualifications

• Repetitive use of keyboard at workstation.
• Repetitive use of standard office equipment.

• 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 thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers:As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questionspresented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.