Contract Liaison Lead, Research Office (College of Medicine - Phoenix)
About The Position
The Contract Liaison Lead serves as the College of Medicine–Phoenix lead for research contract administration and is responsible for managing the review, coordination, tracking, and preliminary negotiation of a broad range of research-related agreements. This position acts as a key liaison between faculty, staff, sponsors, and the Office of Research and Partnerships to facilitate timely execution of contracts and ensure compliance with institutional policies and sponsor requirements. Responsibilities include reviewing and coordinating Confidential Disclosure Agreements (CDAs), Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), Sponsored Research Agreements, Clinical Trial Agreements, and other research-related contracts and proposals. The position also provides consultation on contract management processes, develops and delivers training on research administration topics, and promotes best practices in sponsored project administration. The successful candidate will possess strong contract management and research administration expertise, exceptional organizational and analytical skills, and the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Success in this role requires excellent interpersonal and collaborative abilities, a customer-service mindset, and the capacity to work effectively with diverse stakeholders while meeting critical and often competing deadlines. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
- Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
- Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations and compliance.
- Skills in financial management and analytical expertise.
- Leadership abilities in workflow/workload supervision and operational management.
- Problem-solving skills in strategic planning and risk mitigation.
- Communication abilities and relationship management skills.
- Skills in process improvement and internal control development.
- Abilities in risk assessment and regulatory interpretation knowledge.
Nice To Haves
- An advanced degree such as a Juris Doctor or a Master's degree in a technical field or Business Administration.
- Experience in a university sponsored projects office, academic medical center, health-related college or industry contracts office.
Responsibilities
- Facilitate incoming contracts/agreements and ensure they are processed in a timely manner.
- Review, process, and assist with negotiating terms and conditions with sponsors and the Office of Research and Partnerships.
- Maintain current working knowledge of federal regulations, academic contracting practices, and sponsor policies.
- Ensure agreements comply with university policies, sponsor requirements, and applicable regulations.
- Identify and mitigate contractual risks related to intellectual property, publication rights, confidentiality, data sharing, and research compliance.
- Demonstrate expertise in negotiating federal, academic, or business contracts in a research, academic medical or technical environment.
- Demonstrate the ability to think quickly and effectively during negotiations to achieve creative resolutions to contract issues.
- Evaluate contract administration workflows and recommend improvements.
- Develop standardized procedures and templates.
- Promote operational efficiencies and consistent contract management practices.
- Support strategic initiatives that strengthen the research administration infrastructure.
- Support adherence to institutional research administration standards and best practices.
- Serve as the primary point of contact between: Faculty investigators, Research staff, Sponsors and industry partners, University research administration offices.
- Facilitate communication among stakeholders to ensure efficient contract execution.
- Provide guidance regarding institutional requirements and sponsor expectations.
- Provide responsive and professional support to faculty, researchers, and administrative staff.
- Build collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
- Manage competing priorities while maintaining high service standards and meeting deadlines.
Benefits
- health, dental, and vision insurance plans
- life insurance and disability programs
- paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members
- retirement plans
- access to U of A recreation and cultural activities
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
