Contract Officer

About the role

This position involves reviewing, negotiating, drafting, revising, and processing contract agreements, including sub-agreements and modifications. You will analyze, interpret, and prepare agreements for research, service, and other activities, and liaise with funding agencies to clarify contractual terms. The role includes articulating complex university principles, regulations, and policies, seeking guidance from legal counsel and other officials, and preparing agreements to ensure compliance with institutional, federal, and agency requirements.

You will counsel, direct, and assist faculty, staff, and researchers in proposal preparation, submission, acceptance, and administration of awarded projects. This includes resolving questions, ensuring compliance with budgets and certifications, monitoring account activity, and addressing financial compliance with university, state, federal, and agency requirements.

Additional responsibilities include attending professional development opportunities, presenting at seminars and workshops, serving on committees, and contributing to special projects. You will also ensure efficient information flow and file management for proposals and contracts, utilizing external systems such as FastLane, Grants.Gov, NIH eCommons, FedBizOps, or FedConnect for submissions and monitoring. This role may involve guiding less experienced research administration staff.

Responsibilities

• Review, negotiate, draft, revise, and process contract agreements, sub-agreements, and amendments.
• Analyze, interpret, and prepare agreements for research, service, and other activities.
• Contact funding agencies for clarifications or discussions of contractual terms.
• Prepare letters of exception for objectionable contract requirements at the proposal stage.
• Articulate university principles, regulations, and policies (e.g., indemnification, intellectual property, compliance).
• Seek counsel from contract leadership, legal counsel, and other university officials for complex requirements.
• Prepare and verify accuracy of agreements, sub-agreements, amendments, and related documents.
• Counsel, direct, and assist faculty, staff, and researchers in proposal preparation, submission, and administration.
• Investigate and resolve questions from external agencies, researchers, fiscal officers, and administrators.
• Guide faculty and staff on budget preparation, certifications, and institutional compliance.
• Monitor account activity for financial compliance with university, state, federal, and agency requirements.
• Attend and participate in professional development opportunities, seminars, workshops, and conferences.
• Serve on committees and contribute to special projects.
• Ensure timely and efficient flow of information and file management for proposals and contracts.
• Utilize external systems (e.g., FastLane, Grants.Gov, NIH eCommons) for submissions and monitoring.
• Provide guidance to less experienced research administration staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (required).
• Master’s degree (preferred).
• 2 years of experience in grants, contracts, and/or research policy (required).
• 3 years of experience in a related field (preferred).
• Some university experience (preferred).
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certification (preferred upon date of hire).

Skills

• Proficient communication skills.
• High degree of professionalism.
• Strong time management and priority-setting skills.
• Commitment to quality.
• Flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Eagerness to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.
• High level of thoroughness and dependability.
• Ability to maintain accuracy under pressure.
• Proficiency in operating computers and standard office productivity equipment.
• Ability to perform sedentary work and move around an office environment and campus.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance.
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions.
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU.
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and accidental death & dismemberment insurance.
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions (subject to vesting).
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options.
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses.
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year.
• Generous paid time off plans.
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.