Contracting Officer I

University Of Florida; Gainesville, Northern (FL, KY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Florida is seeking a Contracting Officer I on the Main Campus (Gainesville, FL) to negotiate, review and administer sponsored programs contracts and related agreements. The role involves ensuring compliance with federal regulations, state policies, and sponsor requirements, while coordinating with internal offices and sponsors.

Responsibilities include negotiation of awards, maintaining UFIRST files, and acting as a liaison to faculty and agency officials, with emphasis on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in research administration.
• Prefer applicants with experience processing and reviewing contracts and/or research administration experience with a focus on federal grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts and the related regulations

Responsibilities

• Lead 50%: Award negotiation and acceptance of complex contracts, NDAs, data use agreements, ensuring compliance with UF policies and federal regulations.
• 40%: Manage post-award activities using UFIRST, maintain records, and liaise between faculty, campus admin, and sponsors.
• 10%: Identify regulatory changes, develop policy guidance, and improve processing efficiency of contracts and agreements.

Skills

Award Negotiation

Contract Review

Regulatory Compliance

Stakeholder Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

UFIRST

Job description

Job no: 541068
Work type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Office/Administrative/Fiscal Support, Legal/Audit Services/Compliance
Department: 11060000 - RE-SPONSORED PROGRAMS

Classification Title:

Contracting Officer I

Bachelor’s degree; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in research administration

Job Description:

50% Award Negotiation and Acceptance: Review and negotiation of complex federal, industry and foreign contracts and agreements, non-disclosure agreements, data use agreements, and other agreements relating to research, training and other sponsored programs, including any modifications or amendments thereto. Represents the Division in relationships with sponsors. Reviews, evaluates and interprets complex contracts and agreements for compliance with UF Policies and Procedures, and applicable governmental regulations. Evaluates, interprets, negotiates and applies federal and sponsor policy and regulations to determine acceptable conditions of awards including such areas as: Conflict of Interest, Export Control, Intellectual Property, Indemnity, Governing law, Cost Principles, data and information security requirements, Human use, Animal use and lab safety. Coordinates with appropriate University experts and offices (i.e., the Office of Technology Licensing, Contracts and Grants Accounting, General Counsel, Division of Research Compliance, IRB, IACUC, EHS, Privacy Office) as needed throughout negotiations for review and feedback. Reviews official proposal budget and scope of work to ensure the award reflects the proper indirect cost rate, budget expectations and timelines.

40% Process Management Maintains knowledge with university and sponsor electronic research administration systems in order to ensure timely and compliant post award activities. Maintains accurate and complete files and records for each award or agreement in UFIRST. Ensures that proposals are in UFIRST as the basis for negotiating the award. Ensures that agreements and modifications are entered in UFIRST accurately and completely. Maintains positive and productive business relationships within the University and with its Sponsors. Acts as a liaison between faculty, campus administrators, agency officials, as well as federal, state, and local offices to troubleshoot problems or issues that develop during the course of a project. Participates in the shared responsibility for ensuring responsible stewardship for funds provided by external sponsors through responsible payment structures in agreements.

10% Other Duties The Officer will maintain knowledge of federal, state and non-profit sponsor regulations, policies, requirements, procedures, and other areas pertinent to the scope of work assigned through self-study, research, participation in professional development, and attendance at webinars and conferences. The Officer will assist in detecting areas where new regulations need to be interpreted, implemented and communicated into existing and, as warranted development of new policy statements, procedural guidelines and associate business objects. The Officer will be responsible to identify operational problems and deficiencies of any nature or when problems are discovered, resolve those within limits of authority or coordinate resolutions with the Assistant Director of Sponsored Programs. Is expected to identify necessary reports, upgrades, enhancements and innovations to ensure transparent and efficient processing of industrial and federal contracts.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in research administration.

Preferred:

Prefer applicants with experience processing and reviewing contracts and/or research administration experience with a focus on federal grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts and the related regulations

Health Assessment Required: No

Advertised: 21 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 19 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.