Contract Administrator II

About the role

The Engineering a world of possibilities position at Colorado School of Mines seeks a Contract Administrator to join the Office of Research Administration (ORA). The ideal candidate should have experience in research administration, contract negotiation, and grant management.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate unacceptable terms with the research sponsor and suggest or insist on alternative language or deletion of terms and conditions.
• Collect and ensure approval of all terms and conditions for sponsor agreements.
• Maintain awareness of contractual language regarding intellectual property rights, confidentiality, liability, indemnification, risk, publishing rights, invoice and payment terms, governing law, and confirmation of sponsor's corporate registration.
• Identify terms that are compliant with university policies and state law and successfully navigate diverse workload for differing sponsors.
• Draft or review research-related contracts, including memoranda of understanding, material transfer agreements, confidentiality agreements, master agreements, cooperative research and development agreements, data use, equipment loans, proprietary information, intergovernmental personnel assignments, and other agreements.
• Analyze sponsored research agreements to determine compliance with federal and state regulations, Mines policies, and project requirements.
• Escalate non-standard contract terms as needed, following approved escalation procedures.
• Determine if changes to a research project require prior approval from the project's sponsor and coordinate with the faculty member to create and submit the change request.
• Submit and approve requests for no-cost time extensions, budget deviations, and pre-award spending based on sponsor requirements.
• Review and approve deficit spending requests to determine if the financial risk to Mines is acceptable under current policy and practices.
• Work with applicable departments to establish payment mechanisms for subcontractor invoices.
• Maintain subcontract documentation to meet federal and state audit requirements and manage annual review of subrecipients.
• Maintain awareness of contractual language regarding issues such as intellectual property rights, confidentiality, liability, indemnification, risk, publishing rights, invoice and payment terms, governing law, and confirmation of sponsor's corporate registration.
• Ensure accurate data is entered into the data repository, including contract and project information and notes.
• Upload all fully executed agreements, modifications, and sponsor prior approvals into the system.
• Provide formal and informal training to faculty members and departmental staff regarding school policy and procedures and sponsoring agency rules and regulations.
• Participate in office-wide process evaluation and reengineering efforts, making recommendations for improvements to management and leading improvement efforts if approved.

Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree in business or related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years in research administration.
• Knowledge and experience with implementation of government regulations.
• Demonstrated customer service skills, the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community, and ability to meet multiple deadlines.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to use independent judgment.
• Skills in using databases, presentation software, and enterprise financial systems.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
• Contract negotiation experience.
• Knowledge of University environment and policies.
• Preferred: Master’s degree.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in research administration.
• Experience with government regulations.
• Strong customer service and problem-solving skills.
• Effective analytical and communication abilities.
• Experience with databases, presentation software, and enterprise financial systems.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience with contract negotiation.
• Master’s degree preferred.

Skills

• Contract negotiation.
• Research administration.
• Grant management.
• Customer service.
• Problem-solving.
• Communication.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Database management.
• Financial systems.

Benefits

Mines offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Flexible health and dental care plans.
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution.
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents).
• Free RTD Ecopass.
• Discounts through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games.
• Access to the on-campus Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more).
• Equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center.
• The Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP).
• Upcoming on-campus daycare center.

Pay

$72,000 - $80,000 annual salary.

Schedule

This is a hybrid position, requiring commuting to Golden, CO at least twice per week.