Grants Contracts Negotiator

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

1d•$74,154

About The Position

The Grants Contracts Negotiator supports proposal development and submission, budgeting, agreement negotiation, and award setup for the UW-Madison College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence Research Administration department. The role helps ensure timely, compliant submissions, provides oversight of pre-award operations, and establishes consistent workflows to track, monitor, and manage proposal submissions in support of the growth of the research portfolio. The position may handle new account setup, develop and evaluate pre-award research administration policies and procedures, and serve as a resource to unit leadership and staff and a liaison to partners and stakeholders. It works with researchers on budgets, proposal submissions, and agreements, and may review and negotiate agreements on behalf of the unit. The position may also supervise research administration staff activities.

Requirements

At least three years of experience in contract negotiation, research administration, sponsored programs, grants and contracts administration, or a related field.
Experience reviewing, negotiating, and administering research-related agreements, including sponsored research agreements, subawards, confidentiality agreements, data use agreements, material transfer agreements, and other research contracts.
Experience interpreting and applying contractual terms and conditions, sponsor requirements, federal regulations, and institutional policies.
Knowledge of regulations governing sponsored research and research agreements, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), research security requirements, export controls, cybersecurity requirements, intellectual property, and data management and sharing requirements.
Experience supporting agreements funded by federal sponsors, including NSF, NIH, DOE, and DOD, and/or industry sponsors.
Ability to analyze contractual risk and negotiate terms and conditions that align with institutional policies and objectives.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex contractual and regulatory requirements to varied stakeholders.
Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and customer service skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet competing deadlines.
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, research administration, public administration, law, life sciences, finance, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Five or more years of experience negotiating and administering research-related agreements in higher education, an academic medical center, a research institution, or a similar environment.
Experience negotiating sponsored research agreements, industry-sponsored research agreements, subawards, confidentiality agreements, data use agreements, and other research-related contracts.
Experience working with federal sponsors, including NSF, NIH, DOE, DOD, and other federal agencies, as well as industry and nonprofit organizations.
Experience identifying, assessing, and mitigating contractual, intellectual property, regulatory, and research compliance risks.
Experience collaborating with principal investigators, research administrators, legal counsel, technology transfer offices, and other administrative partners.
Experience using electronic research administration and contract management systems such as RAMP, Cayuse, Research.gov, Grants.gov, eRA Commons, or similar systems.
Juris Doctor (J.D.), Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM), Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM), or another relevant professional certification.

Responsibilities

Support proposal development and submission, budgeting, agreement negotiation, and award setup.
Help ensure timely and compliant submissions and provide oversight of pre-award operations.
Establish consistent workflows for tracking, monitoring, and managing proposal submissions.
May be responsible for new account setup.
Develop, implement, and evaluate pre-award research administration operational policies and procedures, including financial, administrative, staffing, and compliance procedures.
Serve as a key resource to leadership and staff in the unit and as a liaison to partners and stakeholders.
Work with researchers to prepare budgets, proposal submissions, agreements, and other materials for sponsor consideration.
May review and negotiate agreements on behalf of the unit.
May supervise activities of research administration staff.