Contract Negotiator, Office of Sponsored Projects

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Job Details:

The Office of Sponsored Projects(OSP) serves as the coordinating office for externally funded research and sponsored projects at The University of Texas at Austin. The mission of OSP is to assist faculty and professional research staff in their efforts to secure and ensure proper stewardship of external funding. We do that by assisting research faculty and staff with the following: proposal review, authorization, and submission; award negotiations and acceptance; account management; close-out, reports, audits, collection; professional development and education; export control, and research compliance.

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage

• Retirement contributions

• Paid vacation and sick time

• Paid holidays

• Eligible for Telework

Please visit ourHuman Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.

Support the Research Community at the University of Texas at Austin in the capacity of Contract Negotiator for the Office of Sponsored Projects. Primary duties are to review and negotiate sponsored research contracts non-funded agreements, and review and make recommendations on terms, compliance risks and other contractual issues by interpreting University and sponsor policies and procedures and applying university, state and federal rules, regulations and laws as they relate to sponsored research.

CONTRACT/AGREEMENT NEGOTIATION

• Independently drafts, reviews and negotiates terms and conditions of sponsored research contract agreements to ensure compliance with University policies, Federal and State laws and regulations (including terms regarding intellectual property, publication, insurance/indemnification, export control, governing law, disputes, invoicing and payment) and applicable sponsor guidelines;

• Independently drafts, reviews and negotiates non-financial research agreements, including but not limited to, non-disclosure agreements, material transfer agreements, data use agreements, and teaming agreements (with a specific agreement type portfolio as needed) to ensure compliance with University policies, and Federal and State laws and regulations;

• Independently submits detailed written exceptions and recommendations on contractual language in a timely manner to sponsors; coordinates negotiation meetings, as required, regarding contractual language with sponsors/contracting party legal offices, technical representatives and University researchers;

• Independently drafts and negotiates standard and some more complex sponsored research and non-financial agreements when such agreements are not provided by the sponsor.

• Evaluates, mitigates, and outlines financial and compliance risks in research contracts to University researchers and OSP management as needed, including outlining all risks associated with clauses not conforming to The University of Texas System Board of Regents Rules and/or University policy;

• Works collaboratively, under minimal supervision, with appropriate University offices in the review and handling of various contractual issues (e.g., Discovery to Impact, Risk Management Office, Research Security Office, Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs and The University of Texas Office of General Counsel)

CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

• Independently reviews terms and conditions of pre-award solicitations at the proposal stage and provides proposal exceptions for submission to the sponsor; reviews and finalizes contract modifications, including funding increments, extensions, and various revisions to terms and conditions; collaborates with other OSP functional areas on the handling of post-award contract issues including, but not limited to re-budgeting, invoicing, payment concerns and reporting issues

• Enters and maintains thorough and accurate negotiations-related documentation, data and notes for agreements and modifications into the UT Research Management Suite (UTRMS) and E-Share Repository

COMMUNICATION

• Responds to, or acknowledges, email or phone communication within 48 hours & communicates results of follow-up as appropriate. If volume does not permit timely follow up, communicate with Sr. Manager and/or Associate Director of Contracting for assistance or guidance.

• Takes action or forward correspondence as appropriate in a timely manner.

• Follows up on status of outstanding actions in a timely manner.

• Sends appropriate award information to the department or sponsor, as requested.

• Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written form.

• Serves as a contracts subject matter expert and resource to campus; respond to inquiries or requests for information in a timely manner

ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION

• Enters and maintains data and notes related to contract/agreement, modifications into UTRMS Log Correspondence in a timely manner.

• Saves pertinent budget, compliance, and contract/agreement documents into E-Share.

• Saves electronic communications, including contract negotiations, PI Memos, etc., into E-Share.

• Assists in training other Negotiators in processes related to electronic documentation and routing.

RESEARCH COMPLIANCE

• Reviews documentation upon receipt of agreement for compliance with University policies and Federal and State laws, including issues related to environmental health and safety, human subjects (IRB), animal subjects (IACUC), financial conflict of interest (FCOI), and budgetary compliance for cost sharing, and facilities and administrative costs;

• Coordinates with the Export Control Officer on review of potential export control risks arising from sponsored research agreements; coordinates the development and execution of Technology Control Plans (TCPs) to ensure compliance with export control requirements;

• Coordinates with the Information Security Office in review of potential information security risks arising from agreements; coordinates the development and execution of Confidential Data Control Plans (CDCPs) to ensure compliance with information security concerns

• Coordinates with the Office of Research Support and Compliance as required.

OTHER

• Serves as a contracts subject matter expert and resource to campus; responds to inquiries or requests for information within 24 - 48 hours

• Participates in professional development and attends conferences to remain current with standard and overall University, local, state and federal guidelines and regulations

• Serves as back up for Contracts team members, assists with special projects as required, assists in production of reports as needed.Participates in process improvement working groups and committees as requested.

• Marginal/Incidental functions

• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's Degree.

• Three years' experience in preparation, processing, and negotiation of contracts and/or grant administration experience.

• Knowledge of federal, state, local and University guidelines and regulations.

• Individual who is detail oriented, organized, accustomed to a fast-paced environment with competing deadlines, and who provides excellent customer service.

• Excellent problem-solving skills, written and verbal communication skills.

• Extensive experience with the use of MS Word and MS Excel software.

• Must work well with others and contribute positively to the organization, team and University.

• Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

• Graduate or professional degree in business administration, public administration or law.

• More than 3 years' experience in preparation, processing, and negotiation of research contracts. Experience working with contract negotiation or contract interpretation, including drafting language and subsequent negotiation.

• University experience.

• Knowledge of University intellectual property policy.

• Demonstrated knowledge in the development of research budgets.

• Ability to work independently

• Experience with Huron Research Suite product

$55,000 + depending on qualifications

• Repetitive use of keyboard at workstation

• Repetitive use of standard office equipment

• Access to internet required for remote work

Please mark "yes" on the application for required materials.Failure to attach all additional materials listed may affect candidates being considered for the position.

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.

• Letter of interest

Importantfor applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers:You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers:As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questionspresented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.