Contract Officer or Senior Contract Officer - Office of Sponsored Projects

Job Posting Title:

Contract Officer or Senior Contract Officer, Office of Sponsored Projects

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Hiring Department:

Office of Sponsored Projects

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

To Be Determined at Offer

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Earliest Start Date:

Ongoing

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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Job Details:

General Notes

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
• Fully remote

Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.

Purpose

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. 

Contract Officer

Responsibilities

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.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Salary Range

$85,000 + depending on qualifications

Senior Contract Officer

Responsibilities

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.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Salary Range

$95,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

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

Required Materials

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

Important for 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.

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 questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.