Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist

University of Texas at Austin•Austin, TX

3d•$68,000 - $76,000•Onsite

About The Position

This is a senior-level contract administrator position for grants and federal contracts within Applied Research Laboratories. The role involves working with research staff on proposal development, submission, and negotiation of terms for federal grants and research contracts. It also includes administering awards, provisions, and deliverables, managing accounts, sub-contracts, and closeouts. The position requires serving as a subject matter expert on federal regulations, sponsor guidelines, and university policies, with a particular focus on closed-room research contracts. Post-award responsibilities include working with property administration staff and PIs on closeout requirements. The role also involves maintaining communication with sponsors using classified systems, ensuring award requirements are documented and communicated, and keeping other grants and contracts specialists informed. Professional development includes staying updated on federal regulations and sponsor policies, acquiring knowledge of FAR/DFARS and Uniform Guidance, and mentoring junior staff. Other functions as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, social sciences, or a technical/scientific field.
Five years of related experience including preparation, processing, and submission of research proposals to a variety of sponsoring organizations; negotiation of contract terms/conditions.
Ability to exercise sound decision making and problem-solving skills during proposal preparation, contract negotiation, and award administration.
Excellent interpersonal communication and writing skills.
High level of proficiency in spreadsheet and word processing applications (MS Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat Pro).
Demonstrated ability to 1) interact tactfully and professionally with a wide variety of people under stressful and time-sensitive conditions; 2) be supervised; and 3) work independently, and as a team member.
Demonstrated ability for accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to follow established guidelines and office protocol are critical.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
U.S. Citizenship.
Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information, job offer will be contingent on selected applicant applying for access to classified information within 14 days of job offer and receiving at least interim access to classified information within 10 days of the application being submitted.
If interim access is approved as described, employment must commence within 30 days of approval for access.
Eligibility for access must continue without interruption during employment in this position.
Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Federally funded grants and research contracts
Certified Research Administrator
Advanced skills with Microsoft Excel
Proficiency in business writing
Experience with Federal acquisitions and contracting
Familiarity with Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisitions Regulations Supplement (DFARS), and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200)
Eligibility for immediate access to classified information.
Experience with Federally funded research contracts

Responsibilities

Work with research staff to develop, compile, process and submit proposals for federal grants and federal research contracts to meet sponsor guidelines and time frames.
Assist with review of documents, spreadsheets and related data for accuracy and compliance with sponsor guidelines and relevant regulations.
Review/negotiate terms for Federal, State and other research contracts/agreements at all levels of complexity, with emphasis on special programs/closed rooms.
Administer awards, provisions and deliverables for research agreements of all levels of complexity and classification and collaborate with internal and external constituents on account management, sub-contract management and closeout.
Prepare and review cost estimates to meet university accounting requirements.
Serve as a subject matter expert on federal regulations, sponsor guidelines and university policies related to research contracts and grants administration with a focus on closed room research contracts.
Work with property administration staff and PIs to complete forms and administer closeout requirements for research agreements of all levels of complexity processed in closed rooms.
Utilizing classified systems, maintain communication with sponsors to compile, maintain, track and disseminate status information and other research administration data and act as a liaison with internal/external contacts.
Ensure the award requirements are accurately documented and communicated to relevant lab personnel.
Ensure Grants and Contracts Office grants and contracts specialists are up-to-date on administrative office functions related to the agreements.
Stay informed about changes in Federal regulations and sponsor policies that impact research grants and contracts administration.
Acquire and maintain knowledge of FAR/DFARS, Uniform Guidance and other Federal regulations to support research contract administration.
Mentor and provide guidance to Grants and Contracts Office grants and contracts specialists, fostering professional development and growth; contribute to process improvement initiatives by working with the Grants and Contracts Manager and the non-UARC Team Lead.
Other functions as assigned.