Director of Research Contracts

Texas A&M University System • College Station, TX

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Contract Negotiation within Sponsored Research Services (SRS) at Texas A&M University provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the negotiation and execution of sponsored research and unfunded research-related agreements supporting a large, complex, and diverse research portfolio. This position plays a critical role in advancing the University’s mission as a leading R1/R01 institution by facilitating timely, compliant, and effective research partnerships with federal agencies, industry sponsors, foundations, and collaborating institutions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ten years of related experience in management to include at least four years’ experience in research administration.
• Advanced negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Strategic thinking and risk assessment.
• Strong leadership and team development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to manage high-volume workload with competing priorities.
• Collaborative, service-oriented mindset.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in Business Administration, law, public administration.
• Experience within The Texas A&M University System or another large public university system.
• Familiarity with clinical trial contracting and industry-sponsored research.
• Professional certification such as Certified Research Administrator (CRA).
• Experience with electronic research administration (eRA) and contract management systems.

Responsibilities

• Directs and performs advanced negotiation and execution of complex research agreements on behalf of the University.
• Exercises independent judgment in reviewing, drafting, and approving contractual terms, including intellectual property, indemnification, limitation of liability, confidentiality, and publication rights.
• Serves as the final escalation point for complex or high-risk agreements and ensures timely execution consistent with institutional policies and sponsor requirements.
• Provides administrative and functional supervision of contract negotiation staff.
• Assigns and prioritizes workload, establishes performance expectations, and conducts evaluations.
• Leads recruitment, training, and professional development initiatives.
• Exercises discretion in personnel matters and foster a high-performing, service-oriented team environment.
• Provides expert consultation to faculty, principal investigators, and research administrators regarding contract terms and negotiation strategies.
• Represents the University in negotiations with external sponsors, including federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation, industry partners, and nonprofit organizations.
• Resolves disputes and facilitates agreement between parties.
• Develops, interprets, and implements institutional best practices for contract negotiation, standard agreement templates, and negotiation guidelines.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations governing sponsored research.
• Collaborates with legal counsel and compliance offices to assess and mitigate contractual and regulatory risk.
• Leads initiatives to improve operational efficiency, reduce contract cycle times, and enhance service delivery.
• Analyzes data and metrics to inform process improvements and strategic planning.
• Participates in institutional initiatives to expand research activity and partnerships.
• Prepare reports and analyses for senior leadership.
• Participates in audits, compliance reviews, and special projects.
• Represents Sponsored Research Services on institutional committees and task forces.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Free exercise programs and release time
• All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more
• Employee Tuition Assistance and Educational Release time for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

What This Job Offers

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