"Associate Director, Contracts"

Job Details

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Unit: VP Research MBU

Department: Sponsored Programs

Department Summary: The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation is currently seeking to hire a full-time Associate Director to join the Division of Sponsored Programs. This position will work as part of a team in support of the research program at VCU. The successful candidate will interface with many units within the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, with key stakeholder groups within the research community, and with many external funders and collaborators. This position will serve as a personalized point of contact in connection with contract negotiations, particularly for complex contractual collaborations, partnerships and other relationships, as well as provide leadership, guidance and support to a team of contracting professionals

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Associate Director is responsible for the following duties:

Provide support to faculty and staff through the review, drafting, and negotiation of acceptable terms, and timely execution of agreements needed for internally/externally sponsored/supported contracts and grants, and other ancillary agreements. During the review, negotiation, and execution process, analyze, recognize, and correctly interpret legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements and ensure compliance with sponsor requirements, university policies, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations associated with sponsored projects.

Identify and coordinate compliance issues and provide analysis of internal and external regulations, rules, policies, procedures, processes, and guidelines with subsequent recommendations to senior staff as needed to achieve compliance

Manage the contract review process and the maintenance of data in the internal system RAMS-SPOT (Research Administration Management System – Sponsored Programs Online Tracking) and maintain project files.

Training of contract professionals

Monitor regulatory changes, changes to sponsor guidelines, and institutional policies and practices, and incorporate revised requirements into internal procedures

Operate with delegated signature authority for contracts and other sponsored programs activities

Play a major role in the strategic efforts to streamline contracting and continuous improvement of processes

Lead initiatives with key stakeholder groups regarding contracting processes

Develop, draft, and update contract templates

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of skills and experience

Four years of increasingly responsible experience within the field of research administration and/or contracting, or comparable experience or training

Strong organization, analytical, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail

Excellent written and oral communication skills with an ability to interact with people at all levels of an organization, both internal and external stakeholders.

Strong initiative with focus on continuous improvement

Ability to prioritize and perform multiple tasks in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, while providing excellent customer service to a diverse population

Ability to maintain positive and productive working relationships throughout the organization

Preferred Qualifications

Five+ years of progressive work experience in research administration contracting, particularly in a public university setting

Two+ years of management experience

Juris Doctorate

Experience working in an electronic research administration system

Expertise in negotiating contract terms related to one or more of the following: clinical trials, intellectual property, data privacy (domestic and international), and federal contracts/subcontracts

Experience with complex sponsored projects, including multiple funding sources and/or multiple partners.

Salary Range: 95,000 - 115,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: Open