Contract Negotiator

University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced contracts professional to manage and negotiate sponsored project agreements for a major university. You will liaise with legal teams and stakeholders to ensure IP ownership, research compliance, and payment schedules align with policy.

The role builds relationships across campus and external partners. The position requires a bachelor’s degree, strong communication skills, and a background in research administration or policy interpretation.

Qualifications

• Experience interpreting policies and procedures, including State, Federal, and University rules and regulations.
• Strong customer service philosophy.
• Experience fostering and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Excellent written and oral communication techniques with attention to detail.
• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Contract negotiation experience strongly preferred.
• Experience building consensus preferred.
• Background in research or experience in research administration preferred.
• JD preferred.
• Ability to ensure eligibility to work in the United States.
• Cover letter and resume required.
• Employment may require a criminal background check.
• References may be required to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing UW‑Madison and UW‑System sponsored projects by processing and negotiating funding agreements.
• Liaise with legal professionals and stakeholders on terms including IP ownership and compliance.
• Build relationships between campus research admins and external stakeholders.
• Advise colleges/schools and PIs on extramural policies, contracting issues, and university policies.
• Review and negotiate extramural contracts and award documents for compliance.
• Advise staff and faculty on implications of agreement terms.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Relationship-building

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Juris Doctor (JD) preferred

Job description

• Assist in managing UW-Madison's and UW-System's sponsored projects by processing and negotiating research funding and related agreements
• Serve as a liaison to legal professionals and internal and external stakeholders in negotiating terms and conditions, including intellectual property ownership, research compliance, fiscal reporting requirements, and payment schedules
• Build relationships between internal campus contacts responsible for research administration and external stakeholders
• Train, advise, develop, and instruct colleges/schools and PIs/researchers on extramural support policies, procedures, contracting issues, terms and conditions, and University policies
• Review, interpret, and negotiate complex extramural contracts, agreements, and award documents for compliance with Federal, State, and University fiscal and administrative policies
• Advise RSP staff, department administrators, researchers, and faculty on the implications of agreement terms and conditions

Requirements

• Experience interpreting policies and procedures, including State, Federal, and University rules and regulations
• Strong customer service philosophy
• Experience fostering and maintaining effective working relationships
• Excellent written and oral communication techniques with attention to detail
• Bachelor's Degree required
• Contract negotiation experience strongly preferred
• Experience building consensus preferred
• Background in research or experience in research administration preferred
• JD preferred
• Ability to ensure eligibility to work in the United States
• Cover letter and resume required
• Employment may require a criminal background check
• References may be required to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in managing research funding agreements and compliance with Federal, State, and University regulations, while effectively communicating and building relationships with stakeholders. Proficient in contract negotiation and training on extramural support policies.