Stanford University is one of Silicon Valley's largest employers - and one of the most unique. Our mission is to educate future leaders and promote interdisciplinary, world-class research and teaching. This passion makes Stanford an intensely creative, rewarding, and challenging place to work. At Stanford University, not only are you part of an exceptional team that values innovation and education, but you also become part of a culture that brings out the best in you. Stanford is committed to fostering a workplace culture that promotes diversity, collaboration and professional growth. Our culture offers career development programs, competitive pay that reflects market trends and benefits that increase financial stability and promote healthy, fulfilling lives.
Research—the creation of new knowledge—is key to Stanford's educational mission. Stanford research has led to breakthrough remedies, devices, tools, and concepts, and hundreds of initiatives solely for the betterment of humanity. Among the inventions and discoveries that have resulted from Stanford research are MRI technology, DNA cloning, the Pill, heart transplantation, and digital music.
Stanford is investing unprecedented resources in the Office of Research Administration (ORA) due to a growth in the research enterprise that continues to surpass 12% yearly. This position is one of many new staff positions that have been created to enhance our ability to provide high-quality, personalized services and expertise to support our faculty and campus community. ORA submits over 5,000 new proposals, reviews and negotiates over 7,000 agreements, and manages more than 7,500 active sponsored projects annually with a total research budget approaching $2.2 billion.
Our team is growing! The Contract Officer will primarily focus on the review, negotiation, and oversight of non-standard research-related contracts related to the University's core mission of education and research but falls outside of traditional sponsored projects and gifts. The Contract Officers within ORA have delegated signing authority on behalf of the University to review and negotiate a full array of agreements and enable Stanford research by negotiating mutually beneficial agreements with external collaborators that preserve academic freedom and scientific integrity. ORA is looking for Contract Officers who approach learning and problem solving with enthusiasm, who are organized and focused to manage a significant workload, who adapt easily to changing situations and view new opportunities as creative challenges.
This position may be considered for domestic (U.S.) remote work based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and the business needs of the hiring unit. Remote workers' schedules are based in the Pacific Time zone.
This role is open to candidates anywhere in the United States. The compensation for this position will be based on the location of the successful candidate. The expected pay range for this position is $97,777 to $120,000 per annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford's extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
Core Duties
- Conduct formal solicitation, negotiation, and administration of routine and non-routine grants contracts and subcontracts, by government, non-government and industry sponsors with federal direct costs up to $5 million and other total direct costs up to $10 million.
- Identify and negotiate special conditions such as publication and data rights, intellectual property, confidentiality, indemnification, use of Stanford's name, export control and citizenship restrictions.
- Negotiate non-sponsored research-related agreements that involve special conditions.
- Draft, negotiate and execute sub-awards issued under sponsored projects.
- Identify and resolve contractual and policy issues that arise during the course of review and negotiation activities.
- Resolve problems arising in the course of the project; advise department administrators, principal investigators, and staff; interpret and explain agreement provisions and terms.
- Partner with others to serve as a resource to educate units regarding institutional processes.
Minimum Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to draft, negotiate and finalize sponsored projects agreements.
- Advanced knowledge of grant and contract programs and processes and demonstrated experience negotiating effectively with all sponsor types including industry, non-profit, government and higher education.
- Demonstrated understanding of contractual terms and conditions such as publication and data rights, intellectual property issues, and confidentiality
- Demonstrated understanding of the university research environment and policies
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences, client groups and all levels of management.
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills to review and analyze complex information.
- Extremely detail oriented, able to work well independently and knows when to escalate or seek assistance
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize a variety of tasks and demands
- Strong computer skills, including the ability to learn applicable university systems.
- Ability to perform with a high degree of accuracy under tight deadlines while managing multiple tasks