Contract Negotiator

North Carolina State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement Programs

Disability Plans

Life Insurance

Accident Plan

Paid Time Off

Holidays

Tuition and Academic Assistance

Childcare Benefits

Wellness Membership

Wellness Programs

Job summary

NC State University seeks a Contract Negotiator to support sponsored research by drafting and negotiating agreements with external sponsors. You will work across federal, state, local, nonprofit, and other entities to align terms with institutional policies and requirements.

You will assess risk, communicate with internal and external stakeholders, and ensure terms are clear, compliant, and well organized while supporting the university's research enterprise.

Qualifications

• Requires post-baccalaureate credentials or a bachelor’s degree with additional training or experience.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues while managing multiple priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication, and attention to detail.
• Experience in contract negotiation or research administration is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Draft sponsored project agreements using standard university templates.
• Review and negotiate external sponsors' agreements for compliance and acceptability.
• Conduct risk assessments and interpret contract terms with stakeholders.
• Provide guidance on proposals, terms, and reporting to internal clients.
• Develop training materials and support SPARCS processes.

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Posting Information

Posting Number: PG194847EP

Internal Recruitment: No

Working Title: Contract Negotiator

Anticipated Hiring Range: $65,000 - $75,000

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm, additional hours as necessary to meet all obligatory deadlines

Job Location: Raleigh, NC

Department: ORI-Ofc of Sponsored Programs

About the Department

The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) is NC State's central administrative hub for institutional research administration. OSP provides enterpriselevel leadership and operational support across three core institutional areas:

• Institutional PreAward Services
• Institutional Contract Negotiations
• Institutional Research Systems & Reporting

OSP oversees all institutional preaward and nonfinancial postaward activities, including proposal review, submission, negotiation, acceptance, and award management for more than 3,700 annual actions and over $500M in sponsored funding. The office leads the configuration, governance, and reporting infrastructure for the university's research administration systems and partners closely with OPAFS, the Office of Research Commercialization, the Office of Information Technology, General Counsel, and academic units to ensure that NC State's research enterprise operates with integrity, efficiency, and resilience.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties

The Contract Negotiator will support NC State University's sponsored research and other sponsored activities by developing and negotiating agreements with external sponsors. The position will work across a range of federal, state, local, nonprofit, and other organizations to help establish agreements that support the University's research, instruction, and sponsored activities while aligning with institutional policies and applicable requirements.

As the Contract Negotiator, you will apply subject-matter knowledge and sound judgment to navigate complex agreements, work with internal and external stakeholders, and help reach terms that support both the University and its research community. You will play an important role in identifying and addressing institutional risk while ensuring agreements are clear, accurate, and well organized.

Contract Drafting & Negotiation

• Draft sponsored project agreements using standard University templates for incoming and outgoing projects.
• Review and negotiate external sponsors' agreements to ensure terms are acceptable and compliant.
• Identify nonconforming contract language and negotiate modifications to align with University, UNC System, and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare and negotiate subawards with external entities, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Risk Assessment & Compliance Review

• Analyze institutional risk tolerance and conduct subrecipient risk assessments.
• Interpret legal agreements and assess the impact of proposed terms.
• Consult with University compliance offices (Office of Regulatory and Institutional Compliance, Post Award Financial Services, Research Commercialization, General Counsel) to ensure negotiated terms support University and sponsor requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Provide guidance to University clients on proposals, contract terms, and negotiation considerations.
• Communicate negotiation progress to stakeholders and ensure accurate, timely information sharing.
• Explain reporting obligations and provide complete information needed for financial and technical reporting.

Training, Resources & Process Support

• Develop training materials, update templates, and contribute guidance for the SPARCS website.
• Deliver classroom training or consultations to support research administrators across campus.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to contribute to research and sponsored activities while helping the University manage risk, support its research community, and build effective partnerships with external sponsors. If you are an analytical and collaborative professional who enjoys navigating complex agreements, building productive relationships, and finding solutions that balance institutional and sponsor needs, we invite you to bring your negotiation and problem-solving skills to NC State University.

Other Responsibilities

In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there may be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department's operations.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience: Require post-baccalaureate credentials or a bachelor's degree plus alternative or equivalent professional training and experience may be substituted for the advanced degree on an exceptional basis. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Other Required Qualifications:

• Collaborate effectively with colleagues while independently managing assigned work, addressing issues, and following through to resolution.
• Manage competing priorities and deadlines while maintaining accuracy, completeness, and attention to detail.
• Communicate complex information clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats, adapting the message to the audience and purpose.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Research administration experience within an institution of higher education.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and applicable North Carolina and U.S. laws, including intellectual property and copyright law.
• Contract negotiation experience, including familiarity with negotiation software tools such as Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat markup features and contract management platforms.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM), or comparable professional certification.
• J.D. or other relevant advanced legal or professional preparation.

Required License(s) or Certification(s): N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required: No

Commercial Driver's License required: No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date: 09/11/2026

Anticipated Close Date: 9/24/2026; if posting is still active we are accepting and reviewing applications.

Special Instructions to Applicants: Please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for at least three professional references.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Position Details

Position Number: 00108150

Position Type: EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week): 1.00

Appointment: 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather: Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events: Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID: 060401 - ORI-Ofc of Sponsored Programs

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].