Director of Research Contracts

Texas A&M • College Station, TX

2d • 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