Senior Contract Specialist - Sponsored Research (Hybrid)

SDSU Research Foundation; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Retirement plan with match

Paid leave

Holidays

Hybrid work

EAP

Campus perks

Wellness programs

Job summary

The SDSU Research Foundation (SRCS) is seeking a Contract Specialist III/IV to negotiate and manage sponsored research agreements, align terms with university policies, and mitigate institutional risk. You will collaborate with faculty, sponsors, and administrators to convert funding opportunities into executable agreements that advance research goals.

This role requires strong analytical and negotiation skills, experience in higher education or non-profit settings, and the ability to operate in

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and progressively responsible experience in a university, research or non-profit organization or related field.
• Contract review and contract negotiation experience are required. At least four years of related and progressively responsible or expansive work experience in contract review and negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contracting liaison between project directors, principal investigators, and external funding sponsors.
• Negotiate sponsored research agreements, grants, contracts, and other related funding instruments.
• Analyze and negotiate contract terms to ensure compliance with university policies, sponsor requirements, and applicable federal, state, and international regulations
• Develop creative solutions to complex contractual and compliance challenges while effectively managing institutional risk.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts, draft, and negotiate provisions related to intellectual property, publication rights, indemnification, export controls, and other research-related terms.
• Support award transitions and process improvements that enhance service delivery and operational effectiveness.
• Contribute to the development of agreements that enable transformative research, scholarship, and creative activities.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Contract review

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Ellucian Banner

InfoEd

Etrieve

Job description

The SDSU Research Foundation (SRCS) is seeking a Contract Specialist III/IV to negotiate and manage sponsored research agreements, align terms with university policies, and mitigate institutional risk. You will collaborate with faculty, sponsors, and administrators to convert funding opportunities into executable agreements that advance research goals.

This role requires strong analytical and negotiation skills, experience in higher education or non-profit settings, and the ability to operate in