SPA - CONTRACT MANAGER

Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

Posting Type: External

Retirement Plan: TRS or ORP

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time: Full Time

Additional Schedule Information: Monday – Friday; 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Advertised Salary: Commensurate with Experience

Posting Date: 06/01/2026

Open until filled: Yes

Proposed Starting Date: 07/01/2026

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement:

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement:

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Classification Title: University Grants Manager

FLSA: Exempt

FTE: 1.00

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent plus 10 years of professional experience to include 3 years of supervisory experience

Position Summary:

The SPA Contract Manager is responsible for the design and implementation of a cohesive and flexible contract team that supports faculty and research staff in their pursuit of externally funded sponsored projects. The Contract Manager will have excellent interpersonal and team building skills to promote a productive working relationship between our external sponsors, SPA staff and the research community. This position is ideal for an individual who has the vision and ability to encourage people to be innovative problem solvers while still maintain a highly compliant environment.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies:

• Strong managerial skills, supervisory skills, and demonstrated leadership skills
• Outstanding problem-solving and interpersonal skills to deal effectively with issues at all levels.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Ability to independently manage competing priorities and meet time-sensitive deadlines and the ability to train others to do the same.
• Commitment to excellent customer service and the ability to multitask, as well as to impart the techniques and ability to do the same to others.
• Extensive knowledge of the methods, procedures, and techniques used in the review, negotiation, set up, and administration of sponsored projects awards and modifications.
• Expert knowledge of institutional policies and procedures pertaining to external funding.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with university, state, and federal agencies, as well as private organizations. Ability to partner with other managers in SPA to ensure a seamless process for the life cycle of sponsored activities.
• Ability to participate in the evaluation and analyses of existing techniques and procedures and to actively participate in the improvement of existing and development of new procedures, as well as the ability to document and teach those improvements to others.

Physical Demands:

Sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, lifting up to 20 lbs and carrying up to 20 lbs.

Is driving a responsibility of this position?: No

Is this a Position of Trust?: Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?: Yes

Does this position require a P-Card? : No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? : No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?: No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications): Yes

Credit and P-Card policy:

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy:

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Contract Team Oversight

• Lead, direct, train and mentor professional contact staff members.
• Responsible for human resource activities for all team members.
• Set, track and assist in obtaining/sustaining improved performance and productivity metrics.
• Provide guidance and expertise including contract review/negotiation/execution, external sponsor policies/systems, and institutional policies.
• Manage the overall contract work queue ensuring appropriate workload balance, timely processing and escalation of issues.

Percentage of time: 30

Contract Training and Support

• Train and mentor all team members to ensure all policies and procedures are met.
• Regularly review and update corresponding policies and procedures to ensure they remain current with federal, state, sponsor and institutional requirements.
• Develop and maintain training materials.
• Regularly communicate federal, sponsor and institutional updates to SPA team members and the research community.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues.

Percentage of time: 20

Contract Creation/Modification

• Prepare, negotiate, execute and modify the most complex contracts consistent with federal, sponsor and institutional policies and procedures.
• Direct contact with SPA personnel, principal investigators, unit administrators as appropriate.
• Adhere to performance metric standards.
• Assess unique situations and determine strategic solutions.
• Assist faculty with complex contract matters.

Percentage of time: 20

Process Improvement/Quality Assurance

• Automate/streamline processes.
• Incorporate system oversight/improvement.
• Review and ensure data integrity and quality assurance.

Percentage of time: 20

Contract Liaison and Sponsored Project Support

• Foster an environment of support for the university research community to assist in successfully securing and administering externally funded sponsored projects.
• Develop and promote educational activities through workshops, meetings and other training to assist the research community.

Percentage of time: 10

Contact Details

For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.

Recruitment Contact Name: Tammi Childs

Recruitment Contact Email: tachilds@uga.edu