Contract Specialist (Remote) - Neurology

Washington University in St. Louis

Missouri

Hybrid

USD 58,000 - 100,000

Full time

3 days ago

Be an early applicant

Get a reply from this employer

Your resume and cover letter, tailored to exactly what they’re hiring for.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation days

Health insurance

Transit pass (U-Pass)

Tuition assistance

Caregiver leave

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis seeks a contract professional to manage a broad portfolio of research and clinical trial agreements. You will draft, negotiate, and review agreements with departments, foundations, and government entities, ensuring compliance and timely execution.

Ideal candidates have strong negotiation skills, attention to detail, and the ability to juggle multiple priorities under deadlines while providing strategic guidance to investigators.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree required; Juris Doctor preferred for advanced contracting work.
Certifications: No specific certification required for this position.
Work Experience: No specific work experience required; relevant experience preferred.
Skills: Strong contract negotiation, drafting, and advisory capabilities.

Responsibilities

Manages contract portfolio across departments, including clinical research and data use agreements.
Drafts, negotiates, and reviews various contracts to protect university interests.
Advises faculty on issues impacting contractual relationships or negotiations.
Reviews guidelines on IP, publication, and indemnification terms.
Maintains contract records and supports budgeting for studies.

Skills

Contract Negotiations

Drafting Agreements

Negotiation

Oral Communications

Written Communication

Research Administration

Detail-Oriented

Policies & Procedures

Sound Judgment

Task Organization

Working Independently

Workload Prioritization

Interpersonal Relationships

Professional Etiquette

Stress Management

Written Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Juris Doctor

Job description

Location

Remote, US Scheduled Hours 40

Position Summary

This position serves as the liaison between University stakeholders and companies, major national and international foundations and non-profit entities, and government agencies. Contracting responsibilities are University-wide and include drafting and negotiating industry sponsored clinical trial agreements and other research agreements including industry research agreements, federal contracts and non-profit agreements and subagreements for sponsored research activities and clinical trials. The position thoughtfully expedites the negotiation of research contracts and upholding the institution’s business principles, policies and goals, while following any applicable government regulatory requirements. The position will oversee a large volume contract portfolio from negotiation to contract close out. It is expected that the person filling this position will be highly motivated and capable of recognizing potential problems and taking the initiative to address them, operating both independently and as an effective team member. Expertise and good judgment are required in planning and completing assignments, resolving conflicts, and coordinating work with others. A key ability of the person filling this position will be to complete multiple, simultaneous tasks, to work effectively under deadline pressure, and to successfully manage competing priorities with tact and efficiency.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Manages the contract portfolio of departments and schools including review and negotiation of all contract supported activities. This includes drafting and negotiating different types of agreements such as clinical research agreements, laboratory agreements, data use agreements, confidentiality agreements, collaboration agreements, foundation agreements, federal contracts, sponsored research and service agreements and sub-awards, taking into consideration the investigator’s needs and proactively identifying any special considerations. Develops, reviews, and negotiates clinical trial budgets to ensure appropriate reimbursement for study-related procedures, personnel effort, and institutional costs. Advises faculty and staff on issues that could impact contractual relationships or negotiations. Reviews contract and agency guidelines regarding intellectual property, publication, communication, financial and indemnification terms to safeguard the interests of the university and principal investigators; flags and addresses unusual circumstances internally; provides alternative language and compelling explanations for alternative terms desired by the university. Uses judgment and an extensive amount of experience to adapt an advanced knowledge of skills, methods, practices, policies and procedures and a considerable degree of innovation, analysis and reasoning to independently plan and prioritize work that involves some extremely difficult problems and/or decisions. Ensures a high level of service support is provided to principal investigators, departmental, school and central administrators; evaluates the risk associated with a variety of transactions and agreements; maintains the standard operating procedures for contract service delivery. Coordinates OnCore calendar intake, development, and builds, including review of study protocols, schedules of assessments, and budget requirements to ensure accurate calendar configuration supporting clinical trial invoicing, financial management, and research billing compliance Maintains awareness of regulatory and policy changes impacting the office; maintains awareness of court decisions that impact contract negotiations; and interprets and disseminates contract related policies, regulations and guidelines to faculty and staff. Maintains electronic records that are consistent and current; this includes review of documents to ensure appropriateness and completeness; ensures integrity of data captured in contract tracking system; provides strategic data to senior administration through reports as requested. Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

Job Location/Working Conditions Normal office environment. Physical Effort Typically sitting at a desk or table. Equipment Office equipment. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree Certifications/Professional Licenses: No specific certification/professional license is required for this position. Work Experience: No specific work experience is required for this position. Skills: Not Applicable Driver's License: A driver's license is not required for this position. More About This Job WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Juris Doctor or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education. Certifications/Professional Licenses: No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting. Work Experience: Relevant Experience (5 Years), Research Administration Or Contract Negotiation (2 Years) Skills: Contract Negotiations, Detail-Oriented, Diplomacy, Drafting Agreements, Interpersonal Relationships, Negotiation, Oral Communications, Policies & Procedures, Professional Etiquette, Research Administration, Self-Awareness, Sound Judgment, Stress Management, Task Organization, Working Independently, Workload Prioritization, Written Communication Grade G12 Salary Range $58,400.00 - $99,700.00 / Annually The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

Accommodation If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request. All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time. Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance. Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees. WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%. Wellness Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more! Family We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered. WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us. For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

Family

We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered. WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity or shared ancestry, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. As a federal contractor, the university maintains affirmative action programs to implement its equal employment opportunity policy for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), as amended.

Useful Links