Senior Contracts Specialist (Contracting Specialist 2)

University of Connecticut Storrs, CT Full-time Administration / Clerical

Posted on November 29, 2022

JOB SUMMARY

The Office of the Vice President for Research invites applications for a Senior Contracts Specialist (Contracting Specialist 2) to provide advanced-level negotiation and drafting of complex sponsored research agreements, contracts, sub-awards, and related instruments.

The Senior Contracts Specialist will participate in the efficient delivery of services with an emphasis on providing excellent service through drafting and negotiating of complex agreements and sponsored research contracts. The Senior Contracts Specialist will interact with constituents utilizing excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills, be collegial and respond in a professional and timely manner, and will serve as a resource to departmental research administrators, faculty, and others in such areas as interpreting policies, regulations and statutes, analyzing needs and resolving complex, rare, and unusual problems related to research contracts as they arise.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve as Contracts Professional for sponsored program research and other sponsored project contracting matters, with the goal of actively and positively supporting the current and future sponsored research programs (fundamental through applied), scholarly activities, and creative endeavors of the faculty, staff, and others at the University of Connecticut.
Provide contracting services for a portion of Sponsored Programs Services unit activity, to include drafting, reviewing, negotiating and executing numerous types of agreements pertaining to research or scientific/technical services. These include but are not limited to: federal agreements, cooperative agreements, incoming and outgoing sub-awards, grant awards, research contracts, material transfer agreements, data use agreements, teaming agreements, confidential/non-disclosure agreements, master agreements, and amendments to all of the above.
Work directly with faculty, staff, and other university offices to include Office of General Counsel, Export Control, Technology Transfer to propose language and terms to mitigate potential risks to the university.
Articulate complex university principles, regulations, and policies, such as indemnification and other liability and risk, intellectual property and publication rights, regulatory and financial compliance matters to both internal and external constituents.
Partner with other University offices and Office of the Vice President of Research (OVPR) offices, such as Technology Commercialization Services, Compliance Services, Export Controls, Conflict of Interest, University Development, Deans’ offices, Procurement, Office of General Counsel, individual departments, and others in providing contracting support to investigators.
Keep abreast of laws, regulations, external and internal policies and procedures governing the administration of corporate contracts and other complex agreements and serve as a resource to other units, faculty, and staff. Ensure the consistency of adherence to guidelines, and participate in the ongoing efforts to streamline and enhance internal processes and practices, and turnaround times.
Serve as a subject matter expert, developing and delivering internal training programs and advising upon complex terms and conditions prior to proposal submission.
Advise and consult upon potential workflow, process, and system improvements, toward the goal of decreasing turnaround times and increasing efficiency.
Participate in professional development activities in order to maintain and expand areas of expertise.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree and at least six years of experience in sponsored programs contracting, including the negotiation of grants, contracts, subcontracts, and other agreement types; OR Master’s degree and at least four years of experience in sponsored programs contracting, including the negotiation of grants, contracts, subcontracts, and other agreement types.
Demonstrated ability to network and consensus-build with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to research and assist with the resolution of highly complex issues with legal, fiscal and ethical/compliance implications.
Superior oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and serve as a liaison between sponsors, all levels of University administration, and principal investigators.
Customer service orientation, with the ability to clearly communicate contractual concerns and issues.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience working in an institution of higher education
Experience working in a high-volume, high-production, and/or sponsored-research-intensive environment.
Experience with material transfer agreements, non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements, service agreements, and research agreements.
Familiarity with granting agencies (government, international, private, industry, etc.)

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a 35-hour per week, full-time, twelve-month, permanent position, with an excellent benefits package including medical and retirement, as well as employee and tuition waivers at the University of Connecticut (outlined here: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/). Telecommuting and/or a hybrid work schedule may be possible subject to authorization and University policy. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #496783 to upload a cover letter demonstrating how the qualifications and requirements of the position are met, a detailed resume, and contact information for three (3) professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on January 31, 2023.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics, which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.