Senior Contract Specialist

UT Tyler; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 62,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Position is benefit eligible

Job summary

The University of Texas at Arlington seeks a Research Contract Specialist to manage the administrative lifecycle of research agreements, coordinating intake, review, and execution across offices and external sponsors.

You will ensure compliance, maintain auditable contract records, and collaborate with Pre Award, Grant & Contract Services, and investigators to align language with budgets and milestones. This role is on-site and offers comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of public sector administrative processes, contract intake, workflow tracking, and records management.
• Ability to identify routine contract terms, nonstandard provisions, missing documentation, procedural gaps, and items requiring escalation.
• Strong professional writing, proofreading, organization, database management, and deadline management skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly with faculty, departmental administrators, institutional offices, and external sponsors.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the central operational contact for incoming research contract actions, triages requests from faculty and departments, and coordinates routine status communications regarding active agreement workflows.
• Logs, classifies, and tracks agreement milestones in the institutional database; reviews intake packets for required compliance disclosures, budgets, scopes of work, internal approvals, and other routing requirements before formal review.
• Reviews and populates standard institutional templates for Non Disclosure Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, Data Use Agreements, Sponsored Research Agreements, and related research contract documents; compares external drafts against University guidelines and identifies variances for escalation.
• Coordinates institutional signature routing, final execution steps, document management, and auditable electronic file maintenance consistent with University processes and records expectations.
• Collaborates with Pre Award, the Office of Grant and Contract Services, Principal Investigators, and departmental administrators to align agreement language with project budgets, scopes of work, and procedural milestones.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Public sector processes

Contract intake

Workflow tracking

Records management

Professional writing

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Job description

The annual salary for this position ranges from $62,000 to $74,000. The final offer will be commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience and qualifications.

Purpose of Position

The Research Contract Specialist manages the administrative lifecycle, operational intake, preliminary review, tracking, and execution coordination for University research agreements. The role serves as an operational bridge among faculty researchers, institutional offices, and external sponsors while providing support and maintaining accurate, auditable contract records.

Essential Functions

• Serves as the central operational contact for incoming research contract actions, triages requests from faculty and departments, and coordinates routine status communications regarding active agreement workflows.
• Logs, classifies, and tracks agreement milestones in the institutional database; reviews intake packets for required compliance disclosures, budgets, scopes of work, internal approvals, and other routing requirements before formal review.
• Reviews and populates standard institutional templates for Non Disclosure Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, Data Use Agreements, Sponsored Research Agreements, and related research contract documents; compares external drafts against University guidelines and identifies variances for escalation.
• Coordinates institutional signature routing, final execution steps, document management, and auditable electronic file maintenance consistent with University processes and records expectations.
• Collaborates with Pre Award, the Office of Grant and Contract Services, Principal Investigators, and departmental administrators to align agreement language with project budgets, scopes of work, and procedural milestones.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Legal Studies, Communications, or a related field, and three (3) years of professional experience within a public institution, state agency, local government, federal office, or similar environment handling contracts, regulatory compliance, or program coordination; or seven (7) years of an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in research administration, university contracting, public sector contract operations, sponsor communications, records management, enterprise database tracking, or paralegal work.
• Paralegal experience or certification is preferred but not required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of public sector administrative processes, contract intake, workflow tracking, and records management.
• Ability to identify routine contract terms, nonstandard provisions, missing documentation, procedural gaps, and items requiring escalation.
• Strong professional writing, proofreading, organization, database management, and deadline management skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly with faculty, departmental administrators, institutional offices, and external sponsors.

Work Schedule

• Monday through Friday; 8:00am through 5:00pm .

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

Benefits Information

• Position is benefit eligible: Yes
• We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to our employees at the University.

It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington to conduct a pre employment background check on any applicant who is under final consideration for employment with the University.

This position may have access to critical infrastructure as defined by Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code. If so, to be hired for and continue to be employed in this position you must maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure as set forth in Texas Executive Order GA 48. By assuming this position, and if you have access to critical infrastructure, you authorize the University to conduct routine background checks.

University Information

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex, a vibrant and diverse metropolitan area that is home to over 7 million people, one of the fastest-growing tech economies in the United States, and a wide array of arts, entertainment, and cultural activities. As a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution, UTA is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. With an enrollment of more than 42,000 students, UTA is the second largest in the University of Texas System. As a result of its combination of rigorous academics and innovative research, UTA is designated as a Carnegie R-1 “Very High Research Activity” institution and nationally recognized for its commitment to student success and service. It ranks No. 5 in Military Times’ “Best for Vets: Colleges” and is the top university in North Texas for its graduates’ salaries (The Wall Street Journal). UTA is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution and is No. 6 for undergraduate ethnic diversity in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2023). With a global alumni network of approximately 280,000 – including leaders at many of the 24 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas – UTA contributes an estimated $29 billion annually to the Texas economy.

UTA is expanding its regional footprint by building a regional campus, called UTA West, in Parker County on the far west side of Fort Worth. It is scheduled to open in fall 2028. This initiative aligns with the university’s strategic growth and commitment to serving the broader community.

This is an exciting time to join UTA and contribute to its bold vision for the future.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA or The University) to provide an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, and/or veteran status. The University also prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for, assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally-protected expression will not be considered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is the responsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure the University’s compliance with this policy.

ADA Accommodations

The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to 817-272-5554 or email [e-mail] .