Director, Contract Administration, Sponsored Program Administration

Socket.dev; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Wayne State University in Detroit, MI seeks a Director of Contract Administration, Sponsored Program Administration to lead a team overseeing contracts for faculty, the university, and sponsors.

The role emphasizes negotiation, compliance with government and sponsor policies, risk mitigation, and data reporting. You will design training, manage systems, and serve as liaison to legal counsel and external partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; business management or related field preferred.
• 7+ years of contract negotiation experience with at least 4 years in supervision.
• Experience with federal, non-profit, and industry funding, grants, and contracts.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for contract administration across faculty, university, and sponsors.
• Negotiate contracts within policies; authorized signer up to $500,000 per occurrence.
• Design training on contract negotiation and language interpretation.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Planning & organizing

Team supervision

Contract management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or related field

Tools

COEUS

Cayuse

Banner

Proposal systems

Microsoft Word

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&I, Export Control, Tech Commercialization) to ensure compliance and mitigate risk. Establish procedures which includes, but are 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

Additional Education Information: Business management or related field. Evidence of ongoing professional research related training.

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

Additional Experience Information: (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.