Senior Contract Administrator - NextGen

Job Description

The Office of Sponsored Research Administration (OSRA) is seeking an experienced contract negotiator to join our team as a Senior Contract Administrator (SCA). The SCA 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:

• This position serves as a trusted partner with principal investigators, and program managers, providing guidance and ensuring compliance with government, sponsor, and internal policies and procedures throughout the pre-award and post-award process. The incumbent will help develop budgets and budget justifications, manage subrecipient protocols, and submit proposals and manage awards on behalf of the university.
• 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, 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 University campuses. This position is a full-time, on campus position, embedded in the Florida Test Bed facility.

General Responsibilities:

• Reviews, negotiates, drafts, revises, and processes contract agreements, including sub-agreements and modifications or amendments; reviews, analyzes, interprets, and prepares agreements for research, service, and other activities; contacts funding agencies for clarifications and/or discussions of contractual terms and conditions; prepares letters of exception identifying objectionable contract requirements at the proposal stage of a project.
• Manage proposal submissions for government and industry research contracts, including: provide guidance to principal investigators, project budget creation and review, compliance review, and interpretation of funding agency regulations. Articulates complex university principles, regulations, and policies; monitors applicable departmental policies to ensure contract and institutional compliance with federal and state regulations including but not limited to the FAR’s, OMB and other government contract regulations and procedures and agency regulations; seeks counsel or guidance from contract leadership, as well as other appropriate university officials (legal counsel 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.
• Counsels, directs, and/or assists faculty, staff, and researchers in matters related to preparation, submission, acceptance, and administration of awarded projects; investigates and answers questions from external agencies, researchers, fiscal officers, research administrators and others; counsels faculty, staff, and researchers 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; initiates action to resolve problems as necessary; assists faculty, staff, and researchers in identifying documents or forms needed in connection with pending or funded projects; follows up on all correspondence to ensure that appropriate action is taken or information provided; establishes account and monitors account activity for financial compliance with university, state, federal, and agency requirements.
• Attends and participates in various professional development opportunities; presents and/or participates in seminars and workshops developed for faculty, staff, and researchers, including use of internal and external electronic systems used in research administration; serves on and participates in various committees, and contributes to special projects as needed; attends and participates in national and regional workshops and conferences sponsored by funding agencies and/or professional organizations.
• Ensures timely and efficient flow of information and file management in connection with proposals, contracts, and other types of agreements.
• May provide guidance to less experienced contract research administration staff.

Please note that this job may be eligible for a hybrid schedule.

About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

At Embry-Riddle, we take pride in our position as the world's largest and most comprehensive university dedicated to aviation and aerospace. Located in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, our esteemed residential campuses offer a prestigious educational experience. However, our commitment to education knows no borders as our Worldwide campus expands our reach globally, providing a world-class education online and at approximately 110 locations across the United States, Asia, Europe, and Central and South America. This breadth of reach ensures that students can access our exceptional programs without geographical limitations. 

With a history spanning nearly a century, we have continually adapted to the dynamic needs of the industries we support. In the Academic Year 2022-23, we welcomed over 11,100 students to our residential campuses and over 19,000 students at our worldwide campus.

Join our global community and embark on a journey of academic excellence and limitless possibilities. Employees working more than 30 hours a week can enjoy medical, dental and vision benefits, an amazing retirement plan with immediate vesting that includes a 6% gift and up to 4% match, free tuition for employees and their immediate family members, and a generous personal leave program. To find out more about our benefits and why ERAU has been named a “Great College to Work For” for 13 consecutive years, visit our careers page.

Qualifications

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree
• Combination 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.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• 5 years of grants, contracts, and/or research policy related experience in higher education setting
• Strong understanding of federal regulations and guidelines governing sponsored research (e.g., Uniform Guidance, FAR, etc.).
• 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​

Preferred Licenses and Certificates:

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) upon date of hire

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Preferred Qualifications and Education:

• Master's degree in a related field
• 7 or more years of grants, contracts, and/or research policy related experience
• Experience in a university setting
• Strong proficiency in university policies
• Strong proficiency in negotiating complex contractual terms and conditions