Contract Officer-Sponsored Programs (Professional, Research Data & Health Agreements)

Georgia Tech; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA, is seeking a Contract Officer for Sponsored Programs to manage negotiation, execution, and administration of research contracts. You will ensure compliance with institutional policies and federal regulations while guiding faculty and researchers through contracting processes.

The role involves reviewing proposals, negotiating terms with sponsors, drafting agreements, and maintaining records for audits.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent; no prior work experience required.
• Master's Degree, JD, MHA, or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.
• Educational or professional experience in healthcare, life sciences, clinical research, or research administration is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review and analyze research proposals to ensure compliance with institutional standards and sponsor requirements.
• Negotiate contract terms to protect the institution while facilitating research initiatives.
• Draft, edit, and finalize research contracts and agreements for clarity and compliance.
• Provide guidance to faculty and researchers about contracts and funding throughout the process.
• Monitor contract compliance during the life of the grant or contract.
• Maintain accurate contract records to support audits and reviews.
• Conduct training sessions on contract management and sponsored program policies.
• Stay informed about changes in federal regulations and funding agency policies.
• Collaborate with legal counsel and finance to resolve contract issues.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Contract administration

Negotiation skills

Legal documentation

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Associate degree

Master's Degree/JD

Job description

Job ID: 303800

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Full-Time

Regular

About Us

Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values, as outlined in our strategic plan. These values include academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.

Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 45,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech's faculty attracted more than $1.4 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top 20 universities for research and development spending and No. 1 among institutions without a medical school.

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:

1. Students are our top priority. 2. We strive for excellence. 3. We thrive on diversity. 4. We celebrate collaboration. 5. We champion innovation. 6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression. 7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community. 8. We act ethically. 9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

The VP Research Administration, formerly known as the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), is the engine powering Georgia Techs world-class research enterprise. We provide comprehensive, "cradle-to-grave" administration for research grants and contracts across a massive portfolio of federal, state, university, and non-profit sponsors.

More than just a central office, OSP is a strategic partner to our faculty. Our team leads everything from proposal submission and complex contract negotiation to active award monitoring. We are also deeply invested in growing our people, driving campus-wide professional development through our multi-tiered Research Administration Certification program and the quarterly Research Administration Buzz (RAB) networking community.

Job Summary

The Contract Officer for Sponsored Programs is responsible for managing the negotiation, execution, and administration of contracts related to research funding and sponsored programs. This position ensures compliance with institutional policies and federal regulations while providing guidance and support to faculty and researchers throughout the contracting process.

Responsibilities

• Job Duty 1 - Review and analyze research proposals to ensure they meet institutional standards and comply with sponsor requirements before submission
• Job Duty 2 - Negotiate contract terms and conditions with funding agencies to protect the institution's interests while facilitating research initiatives
• Job Duty 3 - Draft, edit, and finalize research contracts and agreements to ensure clarity, compliance, and alignment with institutional policies
• Job Duty 4 - Provide guidance and support to faculty and researchers throughout the contracting process by answering questions and addressing concerns related to contracts and funding
• Job Duty 5 - Monitor and manage the compliance of awarded contracts by ensuring that all terms and conditions are followed during the life of the grant or contract
• Job Duty 6 - Maintain accurate records of all contracts and agreements to ensure proper documentation and facilitate audits and reviews
• Job Duty 7 - Conduct training sessions for faculty and staff on contract management and sponsored program policies to improve understanding and compliance
• Job Duty 8 - Stay informed about changes in federal regulations and funding agency policies to ensure the institution's compliance and enhance its research capabilities
• Job Duty 9 - Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including legal counsel and finance departments, to address issues related to contracts and sponsored programs
• Job Duty 10 - Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

• Associate degree in related discipline or equivalent, related experience

Required Experience

• No prior relevant work experience required

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Education

• Master's Degree, JD, MHA, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Educational or professional experience in healthcare, life sciences, clinical research, research administration, public policy, or a related field is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

This job requires a working knowledge of contract administration principles and practices including those specific to OMB's 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements and the Federal Acquisition. Communications and negotiations skills are required as are those related to use of office and specialized computer applications and systems.

KNOWLEDGE

• Draft, negotiate and administer contracts.
• Maintain current knowledge of contracting practices, business and technology trends as relates to GT contracting units.
• Respond to inquiries and provide direct contractual services and guidance to faculty, staff, and students on such agreements as well as interacting with outside entities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Create and maintain work files, electronic or manual, for purposes of tracking contracts as appropriate.

SKILLS

This job requires working knowledge of preparation of legal documents, legal research methodology and familiarity with Georgia law and requirements relating to state entities.

Skills in communication, organization, prioritization, problem solving are required as is the use of office, specialized computer applications, as well as the ability to work independently and in coordination with other campus offices to meet deadlines.

Impact & Influence: This position will interact on a consistent basis with: Faculty, Research Faculty, Senior Leadership at GT and industries, and other entities external to GT. This position typically will advise and counsel: Faculty, Research Faculty, Senior Leadership at GT.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia ("USG") and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual's race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

Other Information

Salary range: $62,642.00 - $105,866.00

Location: Atlanta, GA

Job grade: R09

• This is not a supervisory position.
• This position does not have financial responsibilities.
• No, this position will not be required to drive.
• This role is considered a position of trust.
• This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
• This position will not travel.
• This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

A successful candidate must be able to pass a background check. Please visit https://usg.policystat.com/policy/19298143/latest