Contract Officer

University Of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Michigan's Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP) is seeking a Contracts Officer to draft and negotiate contracts for sponsored projects. You will work under the Assistant Director, Unfunded Agreements, exercising delegated signatory authority and ensuring compliance with university and federal requirements.

A Bachelor's degree is required, with JD preferred. This role supports planning with central offices and external partners, and offers a hybrid/remote work

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident status required due to export-controlled information.
• Experience negotiating contracts and agreements is required.
• Transactional legal experience drafting and redlining contracts is required.

Responsibilities

• Draft contracts and other documents using standard templates.
• Negotiate terms for various agreements and ensure alignment with university requirements.
• Accept contracts with delegated signatory authority.
• Analyze IP ownership, licensing, confidentiality, and related provisions.
• Coordinate with PI and staff to resolve issues and maintain relations.

Skills

Negotiation

Contract drafting

Legal analysis

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Juris Doctorate

Tools

eRA Commons

Research.gov

Proposal Central

Job description

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and must outline skills and experience that directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of this position.

Job Summary

A remote work option is available.

Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care -- that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.

The Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP) safeguards and advances U-M's research enterprise by providing its partners with efficient pre-award and non-financial post-award services for the compliant administration of externally sponsored grants, contracts, and ancillary agreements. ORSP aspires to be recognized across the globe as the leading provider of innovative, and high-value guidance on the conduct of sponsored research and other funded activities.

This position reviews, negotiates, and accepts unfunded contracts and related agreements for the University of Michigan. This position holds the responsibility and authority to agree to contractual terms and conditions on behalf of the University as a representative in the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects.

Under the leadership of the Assistant Director, Unfunded Agreements, this position is responsible for the following:

Contract and Agreements Negotiation and Acceptance

• Draft various contracts and other legal documents related to sponsored projects, using standard templates when possible.
• Negotiate terms and conditions for material transfer and data use agreements, confidentiality agreements, and other agreements as assigned. In this capacity, the Contracts Officer assumes responsibility for differentiating between negotiable positions and absolute requirements.
• Accept contracts exercising appropriate delegated signatory authority.
• Conduct comprehensive analyses of provisions regarding intellectual property ownership and licensing, publication and confidentiality, liability, indemnification, warranty, export control, and choice of law, among others.
• Conduct negotiations to ensure an appropriate balance between the needs of the parties with those of the PI and the University. Clearly and concisely convey University positions and the rationale for these positions while working to maintain good relations between the parties.
• Identify issues during research negotiations in which U-M's position and/or goals diverge from the external entity, work with colleagues, as appropriate, to favorably resolve those issues, and assist with alerting more senior management when resolution is not able to be reached in a timely manner or when there are issues that are broad-based or potentially applicable to or problematic in other situations.
• Solicit input from principal investigators and other central administrative offices, such as Research Information Security, Export Controls, IRB, IACUC, Innovation Partnerships, General Counsel, and Risk Management as appropriate.
• Advise principal investigators and their staff of unusual or problematic terms, coordinate plans of action, and keep informed of the negotiation process.
• Ensure that negotiated terms adhere to University, agency, and federally mandated requirements.

Agency and Industry Liaison

• Maintain ongoing liaison with external counterparts to enhance ongoing research relationships.
• Work efficiently and transparently with departmental stakeholders and external parties to move agreements towards execution in a compliant and timely manner.

Training, Professional Development, and Other Duties

• Support ORSP management team and other central and University units as requested on training programs and sponsored research materials on relevant topics such as working with sponsors and industry.
• Attend and assist in education and training meetings, specialized training seminars, and staff professional development, and participate actively in staff meetings and departmental working groups.
• Utilize tools and information from national and regional research administration organizations, to continuously enhance job knowledge and skills.
• Represent ORSP and the University as part of working groups as requested.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident Status: ORSP deals with export-controlled information, the handling of which is regulated by the U.S. Federal Government and access to which is restricted to U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents.
• Experience negotiating contracts and agreements.
• Transactional legal experience drafting and redlining contracts and agreements.

Desired Qualifications*

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Working knowledge of sponsor software systems (e.g. eRA Commons, Research.gov, Proposal Central, etc.).
• Familiarity with U-M policies and procedures related to research administration (including, but not limited to, accounting, purchasing, personnel, and regulatory compliance).
• Experience providing excellent customer service.
• Certification in Research Administration (CRA)

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checksare performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.The review and selection process maybegin as early as the eighth day after posting.Thisopening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.