Contracts Administrator

RAND • Pittsburgh, PA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

RAND seeks a Contract Administrator at a Mid-Level or Senior level to join the Contracts Team within our Contract & Grant Services department, with a focus on contracting in a research environment. Experience working with a variety of sponsor types is preferred, including federal government agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, private foundations, and commercial entities. Under minimal supervision and guidance, the Mid-Level/Senior Contract Administrator independently performs moderate to highly complex contract administration activities, including proposal submission, negotiation, execution, and administration of RAND's sponsored research agreements. Assignments at this level require the use of independent judgment and initiative in resolving problems and making recommendations. This position may also provide training and direction to less experienced Contract Administrators and other support staff.

Requirements

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, OneNote, OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, & PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat Professional.
• Knowledge of various financial and non-financial agreements, and how they influence all aspects of project implementation, administration, and compliance.
• Ability to research, interpret, and communicate requirements to ensure RAND’s rights and obligations are protected.
• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate with internal and external partners, remotely and in person.
• Ability to establish strategic and collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Ability to manage a large volume of tasks and competing priorities in a reliable, efficient manner.
• Critical thinker who likes to help create solutions rather than wait for someone else to solve challenges.
• Strong communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, sponsors, and others.
• High level of attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with a variety of sponsor types is preferred, including federal government agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, private foundations, and commercial entities.
• Experience with Workday and/or Salesforce platforms a plus.
• Certification in Contract Management a plus.

Responsibilities

• Review RFPs/RFQ’s for contractual issues and provide input in support of proposal efforts, such as providing advice to RAND research and proposal development staff regarding proposal preparation and interpretation of sponsor requirements.
• Draft, coordinate, and execute proposal related non-financial agreements, such as nondisclosure, teaming, and data use agreements.
• As the authorized RAND representative, conduct compliance review and submit sponsored research proposals.
• Review contract agreements to ensure that the terms and conditions are in accordance with RAND’s policies and mission.
• Research and interpret Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARs), Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and other laws, regulations, rules, guidelines, and terms and conditions referenced in contracts to determine if the organization can comply, engaging with the legal team, IT security, and other subject matter experts when necessary, and advise RAND management as to acceptability.
• As an independent contributor within CGS as an authorized negotiator, negotiate the terms and conditions of sponsor agreements of varying types (FFP, T&M, LH, CPFF, IDIQ, Task Orders, etc.) and related modifications. This includes the drafting and preparation of agreements of varying types in addition to the markup of external agreements, which requires a full understanding of legal concepts and contract law.
• Develop negotiation strategies and draft terms and conditions acceptable to RAND and RAND's sponsors, in accordance with RAND's policies, procedures, and mission.
• Monitor active projects for compliance with both sponsor and RAND requirements and prepare periodic status reports and change management notices as needed.
• Coordinate and manage post-award modification and change management requests.
• Assist with miscellaneous contractual matters such as copyrights and non-disclosure agreements and intellectual property matters.
• Provide advice and guidance to project leaders, project staff, and division leadership related to terms and conditions, schedules, and the accomplishment of contractual obligations.
• Coordinate the project close-out process.
• Maintain official contractual communication between RAND and its sponsors.
• Serve as the primary interface with RAND sponsors on substantial and/or sensitive contractual/business matters.
• Facilitate problem identification and resolution in a variety of pre- and post award areas.
• Collaborate with pricing, purchasing, accounting, finance, and operations staff and other administrative groups within RAND for resolution of contractual issues and disputes and to ensure compliance with contractual requirements.
• Maintain cooperative working relationships with other offices within RAND and provide advice and assistance as needed.
• May provide informal guidance to new team members.
• Maintain and manage accurate electronic files and documentation.
• Advise management of contractual rights, obligations and risks and provide interpretation of terms and conditions.
• Monitor external publications for policy and legal developments issued by Federal Agencies pertaining to government contract administration (Federal Register, Acquisition.gov, Sam.gov, etc.).
• Act as a resource and mentor for colleagues with less experience.

Benefits

• health insurance coverage
• life and disability insurance
• savings plan
• paid time-off
• RAND’s sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level