Contract Specialist

University of Arizona; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 59,404 - 74,254; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Tuition reduction for employee and a/3

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

The University of Arizona seeks a Contract Specialist to negotiate and manage agreements with industry, government, foundations, and other universities, supporting clinical research activities and education. The role collaborates with investigators and cross-functional teams to ensure policy compliance and risk-aware contracting.

Responsibilities include reviewing and negotiating diverse agreements, maintaining contract status databases, and staying current on policy and regulatory changes that

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or business-related field.
• Minimum 3 years experience in a university, legal, healthcare, or business environment in research administration, contracting, business development, or research management or equivalent combination of experience and education.

Responsibilities

• Review, edit, and process assigned agreements, including confidential disclosure agreements, affiliation agreements and other agreements as required involving some evaluation and interpretation.
• Assess specific terms in the context of the entire agreement, making judgments on accepting risk in one area if it can be modulated by terms in another area, and appropriately negotiate agreements.
• Serve as a conduit to seek and affect successful creative resolutions to contract issues.
• Serve as campus resource for principal investigators, study personnel and other University officials in the agreement review process.
• Interact professionally and effectively with investigators, sponsors, and cross-functional teams.
• Maintain general knowledge of current developments in policy, laws, regulations and best practices regulating university agreements.
• Maintain a database to communicate the status of contracts and amendments.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in technical or business-related field

Tools

UAccess Research

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Position Highlights

The University of Arizona Clinical Research Administration is looking for a Contract Specialist to work closely with colleagues in a fast-paced environment. Clinical Research Administration, within the Office of Research and Partnerships, provides concierge-level service to investigators in support of clinical research administration including contract negotiation, clinical trials administration support, and compliance support.

A successful candidate is responsible for negotiating contracts with representatives of industry, federal and local governments, non-profit foundations, and other universities. The role will support the University of Arizona by negotiating agreements that bring external funding and other forms of support to University research and education activities. In addition, this position will be responsible for working with faculty in all areas of health sciences to understand their needs, apply university policy, applicable regulations, and legal principles, and employ negotiating skills to successfully complete contracts.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

Duties & Responsibilities

• Review, edit, and process assigned agreements, including confidential disclosure agreements, affiliation agreements and other agreements as required involving some evaluation and interpretation.
• Assess specific terms in the context of the entire agreement, making judgments on accepting risk in one area if it can be modulated by terms in another area, and appropriately negotiate agreements.
• Serve as a conduit to seek and affect successful creative resolutions to contract issues.
• Serve as campus resource for principal investigators, study personnel and other University officials in the agreement review process.
• Interact professionally and effectively with investigators, sponsors, and cross-functional teams.
• Maintain general knowledge of current developments in policy, laws, regulations and best practices regulating university agreements.
• Maintain a database to communicate the status of contracts and amendments.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Ability to work within tight and conflicting deadlines using organizational and prioritization skills.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with a broad range of individuals and stakeholders.
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively in verbal negotiations and resolve issues with a positive outcome.
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or business-related field.
• Minimum 3 years experience in a university, legal, healthcare, or business environment in research administration, contracting, business development, or research management or equivalent combination of experience and education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with university and sponsor agency policies and procedures.
• Experience with U of A systems, specifically UAccess Research.

FLSA Exempt Full Time/Part Time Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week 40

Job FTE 1.0

Work Calendar Fiscal

Job Category Research

Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay $59,404 - $74,254

Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade 8

Compensation Guidance The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

Grade Range represents a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level

PC2

Job Family

Grant & Contract Admin

Job Function

Research

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies 1

Contact Information for Candidates Elisha Johnson | [e-mail]

Open Date 7/28/2026

Open Until Filled Yes

Documents Needed to Apply Resume and Cover Letter

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].