Senior Contract Officer

Job Summary

The Research Contracting (ResCo) division of the Office for Research Administration (ORA) is seeking experienced contract negotiators to join our team as a Senior Contract Officer (SCO).

The SCO will negotiate moderate to highly complex agreements with a broad range of research sponsors, including working with federal, foundation, and industry entities.

Department Specific Responsibilities

• Negotiates with a broad range of research sponsors, including working with government, non-profit / foundation, and industry entities.
• Responsible for drafting, negotiating, and executing numerous types of agreements pertaining to research or scientific / technical services, including, but not limited to, master agreements, cooperative agreements, incoming and outgoing sub-awards, grant awards, research contracts, material transfer agreements, data use agreements, teaming agreements, confidential / nondisclosure agreements, and amendments to all of the above.
• Works with faculty, staff, and other university offices to propose language and terms to mitigate risks to the university.
• Supports faculty and staff across all Indiana University campuses and has the opportunity to be a fully remote position.

General Responsibilities

• Reviews, negotiates, drafts, revises, and processes very complex contract and grant agreements, including sub agreements and modifications or amendments.
• Contacts funding agencies for clarifications and / or discussions of contractual terms and conditions. Independently prepares letters of exception identifying objectionable contract requirements at the proposal stage of a project.
• Advises and assists other Contract Officers with complex negotiations.
• Demonstrates superior customer service skills to internal and external contacts. Articulates complex university principles, regulations, and policies such as indemnification and other liability and risk, intellectual property and publication rights, regulatory and financial compliance.
• Seeks counsel or guidance from supervisor, Director, and Executive Director, as well as University Counsel, IU Innovation and Commercialization, and others, with regard to complicated or unusual proposal, award, or financial requirements.
• Prepares agreements, sub agreements, and amendments as necessary.
• Verifies accuracy and completeness of agreements and related internal documents and databases.
• Signs agreements on behalf of the Trustees of Indiana University. Finalizes and processes all contractual documents.
• Counsels, directs, and assists IU Research leadership, faculty, staff, and ORA Contract Officers in matters related to preparation, submission, acceptance, and administration of awarded projects.
• Acts as resource for award and contract negotiation-related questions when the Manager is unavailable. Investigates and answers questions from external agencies, researchers, fiscal officers, research administrators and others.
• Counsels researchers and staff on the preparation of budgets, completion of certifications, and institutional information to ensure compliance with university policies, federal regulations, and agency guidelines.
• Ascertains the status of proposals, awards, research risk approvals, internal approvals such as proposal development documents , and other related documents.

Initiates action to resolve problems when necessary.

• Identifies document or forms needed in connection with pending or funded projects.
• Presents and / or participates in seminars and workshops developed for IU faculty and staff, including use of internal and external electronic systems used in research administration.
• Attends and participates in national and regional workshops and conferences sponsored by grant makers and / or professional organizations.

Timely and efficient flow of information and file management in connection with proposals, award and other types of agreements, and grant accounts.

• Participates in developing and refining procedures and systems in the Grant Administration area.
• Ensures timely and efficient flow of information and file management in connection with proposals, award and other types of agreements, and grant accounts.
• Uses external sponsor systems such as Proposal Central, Grants.Gov, NIH eRA Commons, or FedConnect extensively for award submissions, project changes, and account monitoring.
• Develops and refines procedures and systems in the Grant Administration area.
• Mentors Contract Officers within the Office of Research Administration.
• Provides guidance to less experienced research administration staff.

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience.

Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

Bachelor's degree

Preferred

• Master's degree in a related field
• Juris Doctorate

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

5 years negotiating contracts in the research administration field or related experience

Preferred

Experience in a university setting

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Preferred

Certified Research Administrator (CRA) upon date of hire

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
• Highly thorough and dependable
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
• Possesses a high degree of initiative
• Ability to influence internal and / or external constituents

Preferred

• Strong proficiency in university policies
• Strong proficiency in negotiating complex contractual terms and conditions

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment.

The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Work Location

All IU Campuses

This position is eligible for remote work, subject to change in the future based on university policy and business needs.

Benefits Overview

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including :

• Multiple plan options for medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
• Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
• Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
• Additional supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition benefit for IU classes
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure.

Job Classification

Career Level : Advanced

FLSA : Exempt

Job Function : Research

Job Family : Research Administration

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Posting Disclaimer

This posting is scheduled to close at 11 : 59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days.

To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications.

Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.

Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX.

Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator.

See Indiana University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.