Senior Contract Officer

Position Number:

001327

Department:

Div of Research (Adm)

Employment Type:

Permanent -

Full-time Months Per Year:

12

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Independently review and negotiate terms and conditions of complex award documents and contractual agreements with various sponsors to ensure compliance with policies, federal and state laws, and sponsor guidelines. Draft and negotiate agreements, including those for technical data and intellectual property rights, publication rights, payment terms, title to equipment, and travel regulations. Write and review standard and complex agreements, subawards, and consulting agreements. Handle exceptions for Request for Proposal (RFP) documents. Collaborate with Principal Investigator and department administrators to ensure timely and compliant processing of all agreement types. Under minimal supervision, prepare correspondence and process requests to sponsors for modifications to existing agreements. Ensure modifications are managed efficiently and in accordance with the sponsor guidelines.• Collaborate with the various offices in the Division of Research, Office of Legal Affairs, and other relevant offices to address compliance issues. Work closely with senior negotiators and direct supervisors to ensure all agreements comply with relevant laws, policies, and procedures, including those of the UNC System and sponsor requirements. Stay up to date with changing regulatory requirements and policies affecting sponsored research. Maintain and manage all negotiation-related documentation in the award management database and negotiations tracking system, ensuring records are updated and accurately reflect the current status of each negotiation. Ensure timely processing of all negotiations and keep all parties informed of the status. Assist management with implementing performance metrics and improving negotiation tracking systems. Provide expert advice on contract administration and negotiation best practices. Assist supervisors in training and mentoring other colleagues. Support less experienced staff by making recommendations on complex and non-routine contract issues. Provide guidance and mentorship to less experienced contract negotiators on documentation management. Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and sponsors. Minimum Experience /

Education:

Master's degree and 1 year of experience in contract administration, negotiation, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education Skills and Experience:

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and deadlines