Assistant Contracts Manager

Princeton University; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

Princeton University seeks an Assistant Contracts Manager to draft, review, and negotiate research-related agreements with ORPA and campus partners. The role supports timely execution, maintains standard templates, and tracks metrics across the agreement lifecycle.

The position collaborates with the Office of the General Counsel and Technology Licensing and New Ventures on complex issues, with a focus on compliance, records, and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 4+ years of related experience in research administration or contract administration.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with analytical ability.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate research-related agreements using University templates and escalation pathways.
• Coordinate with faculty, ORPA colleagues, and campus stakeholders to gather information and support timely review and execution.
• Explain terms, obligations, and risks to faculty and staff, and document decisions and approvals.
• Maintain records of contract negotiations and assist with metrics and reporting.
• Support administration tasks and improve processes related to contracts and templates.

Skills

Written communication

oral communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Huron

Visual Compliance

Job description

Overview

The Assistant Contracts Manager is responsible for the drafting, review, and negotiation of research-related agreements in partnership with ORPA staff and leadership, Technology Licensing and New Ventures, the Office of the General Counsel, and other campus stakeholders. Working under the direction of the Assistant Director and with guidance on complex or high-risk matters, the position helps protect the University’s interests and rights while providing timely, responsive service to faculty and staff.The position independently manages an assigned portfolio of funded and unfunded research agreements within ORPA’s responsibilities, including sponsored research agreements, data use agreements, confidentiality agreements, and research collaboration agreements, from intake through negotiation and coordination of execution. The position works within established University guidance and obtains senior review of complex or high-risk matters.The Assistant Contracts Manager also contributes to agreement-management improvements in ORPA, including the maintenance and use of standard agreement templates and related tools, effective use of systems and business processes supporting agreement processing, internal training, and the collection of agreement-related metrics and key performance indicators.A remote work arrangement may be considered for qualified candidates with appropriate background and experience.

Responsibilities

Agreement Drafting & Negotiation

• Draft, review, and negotiate assigned research-related agreements, using established University templates, guidance, policies, and escalation pathways. This may include outgoing subawards and the associated compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, ORPA colleagues, and campus stakeholders to gather relevant information, identify contractual issues, and support timely agreement review and execution.
• Evaluate non-standard or negotiated terms, identify potential concerns, and recommend appropriate revisions or escalation in consultation with the Assistant Director or other senior colleagues.
• Coordinate with the Office of the General Counsel and Technology Licensing and New Ventures on legal, intellectual property, and other complex issues.
• Explain agreement terms, obligations, and identified risks to faculty and staff, and assist in documenting decisions and required approvals.
• Maintain effective working relationships with campus offices and external parties involved in assigned negotiations.

Agreement Management

• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of systems and business processes supporting agreement processing, including the agreements module in Huron.
• Maintain and refine standard contract terms, templates, and negotiation guidance to support timely and informed agreement processing, in alignment with ORPA leadership direction.
• Monitor relevant trends, emerging issues, and regulatory developments affecting research agreements and raise significant developments for consideration.
• Collaborate with offices such as Research Integrity and Assurance, Office of Information Technology, Procurement, and Audit to ensure contract-related internal controls and compliance.
• Provide accurate and timely documentation of the status of contract negotiations in the appropriate document tracking systems throughout the lifecycle of the drafting process, negotiation, and final execution.
• Assist with collecting, validating, and reporting metrics and key performance indicators related to the agreement lifecycle.

Administration/Other Duties as Assigned

• Support Grant and Contract Administrators within ORPA on ancillary reviews related to contracting, such as complex proposal issues, contract reviews at time of proposal, and post-award contracting questions.
• Contribute to defined projects relating to contracting activities, process improvement, templates, data quality, or records management.
• Assist with reporting relevant information to sponsors and collaborators in compliance with agreement terms and regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Training & Outreach

• Participate in and support formal and informal training related to agreements for internal stakeholders.
• Develop knowledge through relevant professional meetings, webinars, and research-administration resources, and share useful information with colleagues as appropriate.
• Coordinate with internal research and development support offices, including the Office of Innovation, Strategic Partnerships and Engagement, Technology Licensing and New Ventures along with academic departments, to facilitate early-stage collaboration on sponsored projects.

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL Minimum Required Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree and 4+ years of related experience in research administration, contract administration, sponsored programs, technology transfer, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Working knowledge of research contracting principles, policies, procedures, and nationally recognized best practices in a university environment.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing, drafting and negotiating research contracts and other research-related agreements, with the ability to identify issues requiring senior review.
• Working knowledge of relevant federal requirements and research-compliance considerations, such as the Federal Acquisition Regulation, intellectual property, export control, and risk or audit requirements.
• Familiarity with nonfederal sponsors and best practices in research contracting with industry, foundations, and foreign sponsors.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, analytical ability, attention to detail, and sound judgment.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple assignments, meet deadlines, maintain accurate records, and work both independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to provide responsive service while appropriately applying University policies and escalating complex or high-risk matters.

PREFERRED Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Experience, and Other Education

• Experience using an enterprise-level system to support research administration and/or research contracting in a university setting (e.g., Huron) and Visual Compliance.
• Knowledge of Princeton’s objectives, policies, organizational structures, and procedures.
• Experience in sponsored programs administration, research contracting, and/or technology transfer at a “Research I” university.
• J.D. degree and/or master’s degree.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.

Standard Weekly Hours 36.25

Eligible for Overtime No

Benefits Eligible Yes

Probationary Period 180 days

Essential Services Personnel (see policy for detail) No

Physical Capacity Exam Required No

Valid Driver’s License Required No

Experience Level Mid-Senior Level #LI-JE1

Salary Range $108,000 to $118,000