Associate Director, Research Fiscal Contracting

University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 87,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kansas Office of Research (KUOR) is hiring for a senior role in contract administration to lead review, drafting, and negotiation of a wide range of contracts. You will supervise staff, manage procurement workflows, and ensure compliance with policies and federal requirements on sponsored research activities.

This full-time role requires strong analytical skills, policy application, and the ability to collaborate with faculty, administrators, and external partners to deliver

Qualifications

• Master's degree or JD with 3 years of related experience, or Bachelor's with 5 years.
• Two years of supervising or directing staff.
• Experience reviewing, negotiating, or administering contracts.
• Experience applying policies, regulations, or internal controls.
• Proficiency with Excel and Word.
• Attention to detail and strong written communication.
• Ability to work both independently and with cross-functional partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead the review, drafting, negotiation, execution, and administration of complex contracts.
• Evaluate terms, identify risks, and negotiate terms to university standards.
• Coordinate due diligence and compliance reviews as needed.
• Maintain contract records, templates, and workflow systems.
• Supervise contracting staff and provide coaching and training.
• Oversee procurement PO administration and subcontract invoice workflows.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies and federal requirements.
• Develop metrics, dashboards, and reports to monitor workload and efficiency.
• Provide leadership on risk management and insurance-related matters.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Leadership

Attention to detail

Written communication

Independent and collaborative work

Education

Master's degree or JD

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Position Overview

The University of Kansas Office of Research (KUOR) administers externally sponsored research projects on the KU-Lawrence campus and oversees designated research centers and institutes, as well as state surveys and several smaller research centers and core research service laboratories. The KU Center for Research, Inc. (KUCR) is a non-profit 501(c) 3 research foundation responsible for submitting proposals for external support of research, instructional and service projects. In addition, KUOR helps research investigators by negotiating contracts, providing proposal and post-award services, administering compliance oversight, managing and constructing research facilities, and handling research financial services, including investment of corporation resources.

Due to complex state employment laws, the University of Kansas may be unable to hire fully remote workers for this position outside of Kansas. Specifically, we cannot currently offer employment to candidates residing in the following states: California, Delaware, Idaho & Minnesota. We appreciate your understanding and invite interested individuals from eligible states to apply.

Job Description

60% | Contract Administration

• Lead the review, drafting, negotiation, execution, and administration of complex agreements for KUCR, including business service agreements, fee for service agreements, master service agreements, statements of work, consulting agreements, hotel and event agreements, research consortium agreements, confidentiality agreements, and other assigned contracts.
• Evaluate contractual terms, identify legal, financial, operational, compliance, and reputational risks, and negotiate terms consistent with KUCR and University requirements.
• Identify when a proposed service arrangement may constitute sponsored activity and coordinate referral to the appropriate office.
• Coordinate appropriate due diligence and compliance review when applicable.
• Determine and apply appropriate escalation and review pathways and/or coordinate with the University of Kansas Office of General Counsel and other subject‑matter experts when agreements include nonstandard, high‑risk, or specialized terms.
• Ensure negotiations, approvals, revisions, and final documents are appropriately documented and maintained in searchable contract records and workflow systems.
• Oversee contract intake, assignment, status tracking, quality control, and workload management to support timely and consistent service.
• Maintain and improve standard templates, guidance, negotiation resources, systems, controls, and procedures for contract execution and administration.
• Serve as a primary resource to faculty, staff, administrators, and external organizations regarding contract requirements, processes, and terms and conditions.
• Supervise, coach, and develop contracting staff; establish expectations and review work to promote accuracy, consistency, sound judgment, and responsive service.

20% | Procurement, Purchase Orders, and Subcontract Invoice Administration

• Lead staff responsible for procurement support and the administration of subcontract purchase orders and invoice workflows, including purchase order issuance, invoice coordination, issue resolution, and closeout.
• Ensure procurement and payment documentation is complete and compliant with applicable federal requirements, University policies, and KUCR procedures, including competition, quotation, bid, and sole-source documentation when required.
• Advise researchers and research administrators on acquiring equipment, supplies, and services through the University's procure-to-pay systems.
• Resolve complex payment and procurement issues in collaboration with Post Award, principal investigators, vendors, and other University offices.
• Establish cross-training and business‑continuity practices to support timely processing and appropriate segregation of duties.

10% | Procurement Policy, Compliance, and Training

• Monitor developments in research procurement, contracting, and federal compliance and recommend policy and procedural updates to the Director of Budgets and Financial Services.
• Develop, implement, document, and periodically assess procurement policies, procedures, internal controls, and desk guides.
• Serve as a subject‑matter expert for research procurement and business contracting matters.
• Develop and deliver training, tools, and outreach that help faculty and staff understand and effectively use KUCR procurement and contracting processes.
• Use operational data, stakeholder feedback, and risk assessments to identify and implement process improvements.

5% | Risk Management and Insurance

• Provide oversight and coordination for contractual and financial risk‑management matters affecting KUCR research operations.
• Coordinate with the Office of Risk Management and other stakeholders regarding insurance requirements, coverage limits, certificates of insurance, claims, applications, audits, and related reporting.
• Negotiate or support negotiation of insurance provisions and recommend practical risk‑mitigation strategies.

5% | Leadership, Reporting, Systems, and Other Duties

• Develop performance measures, reports, and dashboards to monitor workload, timeliness, service quality, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Provide functional ownership and ongoing administration for assigned contract‑management and workflow systems.
• Lead or participate in special projects and perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

1. Master's degree or Juris Doctor and three years of related experience, or bachelor's degree and five years of related experience.
2. Two years of experience supervising, leading, or formally directing the work of staff.
3. Experience reviewing, negotiating, or administering contracts, procurement transactions, or related business agreements.
4. Experience applying policies, regulations, or internal controls to business or financial processes.
5. Experience using Microsoft Excel and Word, as demonstrated in application materials.
6. Demonstrated attention to detail and accuracy, as evidenced in application materials.
7. Demonstrated written communication skills, as evidenced in application materials.
8. Experience working independently and collaboratively with customers and cross‑functional partners.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market‑driven expectations.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience applying 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) to procurement, subaward or subcontract payment, or other research‑administration activities.
2. Experience drafting or negotiating complex commercial, service, fee‑for‑service, equipment‑use, confidentiality, consortium, license, lease, or event agreements.
3. Experience in a university, nonprofit research foundation, sponsored‑research, or research‑administration environment.
4. Experience with Oracle Financials or another enterprise financial or procure-to-pay system.
5. Experience with contract‑lifecycle, workflow, ticketing, or document‑management systems.
6. Experience developing policies, procedures, training, metrics, dashboards, or process improvements.
7. Experience with grant accounting or sponsored‑project administration.

Contact Information to Applicants

Meagan Sadler, [e-mail]

Advertised Salary Range

$87,000 - $92,000

Application Review Begins

Monday November 9, 2026

Anticipated Start Date

Monday December 7, 2026