Senior Contract Officer (Contract Officer)

Job Summary

The Research Contracting division of the Office for Research Administration is seeking experienced contract negotiators to join our team as a Contract Officer (CO). The CO will negotiate moderate to highly complex agreements pertaining to research and sponsored projects on behalf of the University. Applicants with extensive experience in grants administration and/or sponsored research/projects contracting may be hired as a Senior Contract Officer (SCO).

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Negotiates with a broad range of external sponsors, including working with government, non profit/foundation, and industry entities.
• Responsible for drafting, negotiating, and executing numerous types of agreements pertaining to research/sponsored projects 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.

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.
• Advise and assist 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 grantmakers 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.
• Mentor Contract Officers within the Office of Research Administration.
• Provides guidance to less experienced research administration staff.

Qualifications

This position is posted at the Advanced career level, but may be filled at the Career career level depending on the candidate's qualifications. Although they will be similar, the duties and responsibilities may differ if filled at the lower rank. Please see the qualifications for each level listed below.

Advanced Career Level Requirements

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 (preferably in related field.)

Preferred

• Master's degree. OR
• Juris Doctorate.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

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

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Preferred

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) Upon Date of Hire.

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient written and verbal 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.

Career Career Level Requirements

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 (preferably in related field.)

Preferred

• Master's degree.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 2 years grants, contracts, and/or research policy related experience.

Preferred

• 3 years grants, contracts, and/or research policy related experience.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Preferred

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) Upon Date of Hire.

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient written and verbal 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.

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

Bloomington, Indiana or Indianapolis, Indiana

Advertised Salary

$65,000 - $110,000.00 annually, based upon with experience

Benefits Overview

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

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure.

Job Classification

Career Level: Advanced

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Research

Job Family: Research Administration

Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

Contact Us

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Telephone: 812-856-1234