Industry Sponsored Contract Specialist

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Vision & Dental options

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Tuition assistance

Professional development

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking an Industry Sponsored Contract Specialist in Austin to draft, review, and negotiate sponsored research agreements and subcontracts. You will coordinate with multiple offices to ensure compliance with UT policies and applicable laws, while maintaining detailed documentation in UT Research Management Suite.

Ideal candidates will have six years of experience, strong communication skills, and a thorough understanding of federal/state guidelines and

Qualifications

• Six years of experience drafting and negotiating sponsored research agreements.
• Experience with federal, state, and university policies and regulations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate sponsored research and sub-award agreements.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and applicable laws.
• Coordinate with offices such as ORSP, Risk Management, and Legal Affairs.
• Maintain documentation in UT Research Management Suite and related systems.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Contract drafting

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

UTRMS

Job description

Industry Sponsored Contract Specialist

Hiring Department: Discovery to Impact

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: To Be Determined at Offer

Earliest Start Date: Ongoing

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: AUSTIN, TX

Job Details

General Notes Mission of Discovery to Impact: Discovery to Impact stands at the heart of transforming academic research into real-world solutions, serving as the pivotal bridge between campus innovators and the industry. Our mission is to harness the power of over 130 campus programs dedicated to entrepreneurship and intellectual property, guiding groundbreaking research from concept to commercial success. Through fostering strategic partnerships with corporations, investors, and entrepreneurs, we ensure that the University's innovations transition from labs and studios into services, solutions, and products that profoundly benefit society. Join us in our quest to change the world, one innovation at a time.

Benefits

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation (8 hours/month), paid holidays (10+/year), sick time (8 hours/month), and longevity pay
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 8.25% employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

For more details on benefits, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards.

Purpose

The purpose of this role is to provide service and support to faculty, staff, and external partners in the development, drafting, review and negotiation of proposals, contracts and subcontracts, including related daily administrative tasks. This position is responsible for overseeing the negotiation and management of a high volume of funded and non-funded agreements, including: Sponsored Research Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, Data Use Licenses, and Subcontracts.

Responsibilities

Agreement Negotiation and Compliance Independently and skillfully draft, review and negotiate sponsored research agreements, outgoing sub-award agreements, non-financial agreements, and other research related agreements to ensure compliance with University policies, federal and state law and regulations, including terms regarding intellectual property, publication, insurance/ indemnification, export control, governing law, disputes, invoicing and payment, etc. Prepare and submit in a timely manner detailed written exceptions and recommendations on contractual language to the other party; hold negotiation meetings, as required, and keep stakeholders informed of the contract negotiation status until all contractual issues are resolved. The types of agreements include but are not limited to sponsored project agreements, research contracts, sub-award agreements and subcontracts, non-disclosure agreements, consortium agreements, material transfer agreements, data use agreements, and teaming agreements. Evaluate, mitigate, and outline financial and compliance risks in research contracts to Collaborative Research and Discovery to Impact management, including outlining all risks associated with clauses not conforming to University of Texas System Board of Regents Rules and/or University policy. Review documentation upon receipt of agreement for compliance and coordinate with appropriate University offices (e.g. Office of Sponsored Projects, Risk Management Office, Research Security Office, or Office of Legal Affairs) to address compliance issues, including environmental health and safety, human subjects (IRB), animal subjects (IACUC), and budgetary compliance for cost sharing, time and effort, and facilities and administrative costs.

Contractual Advice and Communication

Provide expert written and verbal advice regarding the interpretation of federal, state, contractual requirements, grant and funding regulations, University and UT System policies and procedures, and Collaborative Research's policies. Contribute to the development and implementation of procedures and/or policies to improve contract workflow and ensure compliance. Acknowledge and respond to communications in a timely manner, this includes taking action or forwarding correspondence as appropriate, following up on the status of outstanding actions, and communicating results to stakeholders. Demonstrate excellent ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written form.

Contract Management

Daily oversight and management of assigned agreement portfolio to ensure timely actions and workload efficiency. Responsible for prioritizing agreement assignments with appropriate consultation with Collaborative Research management. Enter and maintain thorough and accurate documentation, data and negotiation notes related to agreements and related actions into UT Research Management Suite (UTRMS) and other electronic file systems. Other Special projects as assigned by Associate Director and/or Director of Collaborative Research.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree. Six years of experience drafting and negotiating sponsored research agreements and research-related contracts. Demonstrated experience in contract preparation, including drafting, review, and revision of key terms (e.g. intellectual property, publication, confidentiality). Experience negotiating with federal, state, academic, industry, and other partners. Thorough knowledge of federal, state, local and University guidelines and regulations. Highly skilled in complex contract negotiations and management of contract portfolios, with strong analytic and critical thinking skills, accustomed to a fast-paced environment with competing deadlines. Exceptional customer service and excellent verbal and written communication skills. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Must work well with others and contribute positively to the organization, team and University. Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in law, business administration, public administration, or related field. Graduate or professional degree in law, business administration, public administration, related field. More than six years of experience in management, preparation, processing, and negotiation of research contracts. University or UT System experience. Expert knowledge of University intellectual property policy. Demonstrated knowledge in the development of research budgets. Ability to work independently. Experience with Huron Research Suite product.

Salary Range

$85,000+ depending on qualifications

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work.

Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world-changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world. Looking for a student job? Please see our Student Employment site.

Comments and Inquiries

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