Contract Negotiator - Grants & Contracts, Office of Sponsored Programs (Remote Eligible)

About the position The University of Virginia (UVA) Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) is seeking applicants for a Senior Contract Negotiator or a 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 basic research agreements, including Confidential Disclosure Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, Data Use Agreements, Amendments, Collaboration Agreements, and other (mostly non-funded) agreements within a School of Medicine-based portfolio.
• Work under the direction of Senior Contract Negotiators to partner with School of Medicine Departments, Principal Investigators, administrators, other OSP units, research compliance offices, and other units within UVA's research community.
• Resolve research-related issues in cooperation with Senior Contract Negotiators, OSP, senior management or key University constituencies.
• Serve as a liaison between the University, funding agencies and other sponsors, communicating as UVA's representative.
• Ensure compliance with state, federal and University rules, regulations, policies and practices and provide guidance to staff and faculty in understanding applicable policies and obligations.
• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice-to-haves

• At least five years of job-related experience, or combination of education and relevant contracting experience in increasingly responsible roles.
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree or extensive experience negotiating complex agreements.
• Other credentials such as Certified Research Administrator (CRA), MBA, project management certification, and/or data protection certification are preferred but not required.

Benefits

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

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