Director, Contract Administration, Sponsored Program Administration

Wayne State University; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Wayne State University in Detroit seeks a Director of Contract Administration in Sponsored Program Administration to lead a team through the full lifecycle of contracts, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and sponsor requirements.

Based in the Division of Research & Innovation, you will negotiate awards, design training, manage contract data systems, monitor performance, and coordinate with the University General Counsel and other offices to mitigate risk.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business management or related field.
• 7+ years of contract negotiation experience.
• Minimum 4 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience with federal, non-profit, or industry funding.
• Post-award administration and clinical trials knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Oversee SPA contract administration for faculty, the University and sponsors.
• Lead the negotiation process; sign awards up to $500,000 per occurrence; liaise with General Counsel.
• Design and implement training on contract negotiation and language interpretation.
• Create and maintain databases for contract negotiation; provide regular reports.
• Resolve disputes with principal investigators and sponsors; recommend remedial action.
• Prepare Board of Governors documents on conflicts of interest and research policy.
• Develop specialized agreements for testing and private sector activity; maintain templates.
• Manage, train, review, and hire staff performing proposal and award tasks.

Skills

Leadership

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder communication

Data reporting

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business management or related field

Tools

COEUS

Cayuse

Banner

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Director, Contract Administration, Sponsored Program Administration

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Director, Contract Administration, Sponsored Program Administration at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Position Purpose:

Provides leadership to a team responsible for the oversight of the University's Sponsored Program Administration (SPA) contract administration services for three distinct groups: 1) faculty, 2) the University, and 3) the sponsors. Provides leadership through the lifecycle of the contract execution process.

Essential Functions:

Operational Management: Manage University compliance with government and state and private contracting policies and coordinate with ancillary parties within the University (e.g., C&IT, Export Control, Tech Commercialization) to ensure compliance and mitigate risk. Establish procedures which includes, but is not limited to, interpreting and implementing guidelines to review, approve and negotiate large and complex contracts.

Contract Management: Manage the negotiation process for the University within the University's and Sponsoring Agency's established policies and procedures; authorized signer of these awards up to $500,000 per occurrence. Serve as the lead liaison with WSU’s Office of the General Counsel.

Design: Design and implement training to the University community for all matters relating to contract negotiation and contract language interpretation; represent the organization and the University to various institutional constituencies, as well as externally to funding agencies, government agencies, and other colleges and universities as appropriate.

System Management: Create and maintain databases for contract negotiation, ensuring data integrity, and adherence to departmental metrics; provide regular reports for analysis and workflow optimization.

Dispute Resolution: Resolve and ameliorate disputes with university principal investigators and Sponsors and take or recommend remedial action as necessary.

Reporting: Produce documents for Board of Governors review that pertain to exceptions to the State of Michigan conflict of interest law, as well as exceptions to the University Research Policy (2.41.01.140). Research Security involvement and related analyses for DOD and dbGap contracts.

Specialized Agreements: Spearhead and implement contractual agreements for specialized testing and service activity. Create, modify, and maintain templates for contracting in the private sector.

Staff Management: Manage, train, review, and hire staff of professionals to carry out proposal and award tasks in a timely, efficient and responsive manner to both internal and external stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree

Business management or related field. Evidence of ongoing professional research related training.

Experience: Expert (established subject matter expert, 7+ years of experience).

(established subject matter expert).7-10 years of experience in contract negotiation, with a minimum of 4 years’ supervisory experience. Specific experience with all funding types (federal, non-profit, industry). Previous experience in grants and contracts. Considerable knowledge post‑award administration and clinical trials preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Leadership: Supervisory experience with professional staff. Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of individuals. Capability to make administrative decisions and judgements. Ability to set clear direction and manage workflow. Strong coaching and mentoring skills, with the capacity to foster teamwork.

Technical Knowledge: Skilled in the formulation, negotiation, and establishment of integrated contractual arrangements. Proven knowledge of grant management in an educational setting. In depth knowledge of federal acquisition regulation clauses. Base understanding of university fund accounting principles and practices.

Analytical Skills: Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills. Ability to prepare, submit, and maintain accurate reports.

Computer Skills: Proficient in the use of office productivity software including, but not limited to, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Experience with the University’s Banner software system, COEUS, Cayuse proposal system, and other relevant databases.

Problem‑Solving Skills: Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner, as well as gather and analyze information skillfully.

Planning/Organizing Skills: Strong ability to adapt to changing conditions, as well as ability to plan and prioritize work activities; must have ability to work within established deadlines and under pressure.

School/College/Division:

The Division of Research & Innovation

Primary Department:

H0912 - Sponsored Program Administration

Employment Type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Staff/Administrative

Funding/Salary Information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Annual Salary: To be determined

Working Conditions:

Normal officeenvironment.

Job Openings:

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No

Background check requirements:

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.