[Hiring] Senior Contract Negotiator @University of Virginia

Role Description

The University of Virginia (UVA) Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) is seeking applicants for a Senior Contract Negotiator with experience analyzing, reviewing, and negotiating agreements on behalf of an institution. This role will provide advanced contracting services and expert advice to UVA’s academic and research community in the School of Medicine. This position is eligible for on-site, remote, or hybrid work.

The OSP Grants & Contracts group promotes excellence in research by providing comprehensive service in proposal submission, award negotiation, non-financial award management, and non-funded agreement negotiation. Contract Negotiators are responsible for research compliance and contract review, drafting, negotiation, execution, and other aspects of contract administration, thus supporting academic departments, interdisciplinary research centers, and institutional strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Review, draft and negotiate a wide range of research agreements (funded and non-funded), including:
  • Clinical Trial Agreements
  • Research Funding Agreements
  • Incoming/Outgoing Subcontracts
  • Collaboration Agreements
  • Consortium Agreements
  • Confidential Disclosure Agreements
  • Material Transfer Agreements
  • Data Use Agreements
  • Amendments and other agreements within a School of Medicine-based portfolio
• Partner with School of Medicine Departments, Principal Investigators, other OSP units, research compliance offices, research groups, and other units within UVA’s research community.
• Manage multi-contract and complex projects, including drafting/negotiating agreements for multi-site studies, multi-party consortia, collaborations, or subcontracts.
• Resolve complex research-related issues in cooperation with senior management or key University constituencies.
• Serve as a liaison between the University, funding agencies, and other sponsors.
• Assist Departments in preparation of complex proposals within parameters of sponsored and non-sponsored research guidelines.
• Serve as subject matter expert on research administration, ensuring compliance with state, federal and University rules, regulations, policies and practices (such as HIPAA, FERPA, FAR, Uniform Guidance, sponsor guidelines, etc.) and provide guidance to staff and faculty in understanding applicable policies and obligations.
• Identify and implement process improvements. Participate in and lead cross-Grounds projects. Train and advise on issues requiring specific technical expertise, including new regulations, policies, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of contracting is imperative
• Demonstrated professionalism and diplomatic skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent analytical skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft and web-based tools
• Knowledge of governmental regulations (e.g. FAR, Uniform Guidance, FERPA, HIPAA, GDPR)
• Knowledge of financial analysis and/or accounting principles a plus
• Expertise in project management, including managing international collaborations and complex multi-party contracts or subawards a plus

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree.
• Experience: Five years of grant and contract experience. Four additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of degree.
• Physical Demands: This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. This role does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings and/or programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
• Experience: Five years of Grants and Contracts experience, or combination of education and relevant contracting experience negotiating complex agreements in increasingly responsible roles.
• Licensure: Additional credentials such as Certified Research Administrator (CRA), MBA, project management certification, and/or data protection certification, or similar.

Benefits

This is an exempt-level, benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits .

This position is located in Charlottesville, VA, and provides an option to work on-site, hybrid or fully remote, following the University's remote work guidelines.

How to Apply

Please apply online, and search for R0081922. Complete an application online with the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field; multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Internal applicants: Search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website.

References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process SkillSurvey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process. A minimum of three is required.

For information regarding the position or the application process, please contact Lyndsay Thaxton at [email protected] .

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.