Research Contracts Program Manager

University of Notre Dame • Notre Dame, IN

1d

About The Position

The Research Contracts Program Manager (RCPM) is an exciting opportunity for an experienced research contracts professional to manage a diverse portfolio of complex research agreements across federal, industry, foundation, and nonprofit sponsors. Working within Notre Dame Research Administration & Compliance (NDRAC), you'll partner with world-class faculty to advance innovative research while protecting the University's interests and supporting its research mission. We are hiring across multiple experience levels and encourage applications from professionals with a broad range of research contracting experience. Successful candidates are collaborative, service-oriented professionals who enjoy solving complex problems, building relationships, and helping researchers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years Experience in research administration, contract administration, sponsored programs, legal contract negotiation, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing, negotiating, and managing sponsored research agreements.
• Strong communication, negotiation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, sponsors, and campus partners while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of sponsored research regulations, sponsor requirements, and research administration principles.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree and 5-6 years experience in research contracting.
• Significant experience managing a diverse portfolio of sponsored research agreements across federal, industry, foundation, and nonprofit sponsors.
• Demonstrated success independently negotiating highly complex or high-risk research agreements and developing creative solutions to contractual challenges.
• Advanced knowledge of research contracting principles, including intellectual property, publication rights, confidentiality, export control, Uniform Guidance, and other applicable federal regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage high-risk or highly complex negotiations and provide strategic guidance on contractual issues.
• Experience mentoring colleagues, leading projects or initiatives, and contributing to process or policy improvements.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, negotiate, and execute a wide variety of sponsored research agreements, including federal contracts and grants, industry-sponsored research agreements, subawards, non-financial research agreements, and other research-related contracts.
• Establish and manage subawards, amendments, and modifications throughout the award lifecycle.
• Partner with faculty, sponsors, and campus stakeholders to facilitate research while managing contractual and compliance risks.
• Contribute to a collaborative team committed to providing outstanding service to the research community.
• Identify contractual risks and develop practical, collaborative solutions.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of research administration processes and services.
• Maintain information and documentation in our electronic research administration systems.

Benefits

• The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration.

What This Job Offers

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