Senior Manager for Sponsored Program Contracts & Agreements: UT Space Institute

University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Tullahoma (TN); On-site; USD 93,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

The University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) in Tullahoma, TN, seeks a Senior Manager for Sponsored Program Contracts & Agreements to lead pre-award and post-award activities. You will serve as the AOR, review and commit institutional resources, and lead negotiations for diverse sponsored projects while collaborating with UTRF, ORIED, and GOC to ensure compliance and risk mitigation.

This role requires 6–8 years in sponsored programs or contract management, a strong understanding of

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6–8 years of experience in sponsored programs, research administration, or contract management.
• Detailed knowledge of pre- and post-award sponsored programs administration.
• Knowledge of federal regulations and sponsor requirements.
• Ability to review and analyze proposals for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Independent decision-making ability.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight of sponsored programs activities, including pre-award and post-award functions.
• Serve as UTSI's Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) for proposal submission and certification.
• Review, approve, and commit institutional resources in support of sponsored projects within delegated authority.
• Lead negotiation and execution of complex sponsored research agreements, including federal, industry, state, nonprofit, and other sponsored agreements.
• Interpret and negotiate contract terms, including FAR/DFAR clauses, IP provisions, publication rights, and sponsor requirements.
• Analyze complex legal agreements, identify unacceptable or high-risk language, and recommend revisions consistent with policy and requirements.
• Collaborate with UTRF and the Office of General Counsel on IP and related processes.
• Oversee subaward development, execution, monitoring, and documentation.
• Guide faculty and staff on proposal development, sponsor requirements, compliance, budgets, and contract terms.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate sponsored programs staff; manage workflow and service delivery.

Skills

Pre- and post-award administration

Federal regulations knowledge

Proposal analysis

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Written communication

Verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/finance/administration

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Cayuse

Grants.gov

Research.gov

Job description

Job Description

The University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) is seeking a highly skilled and experienced professional to serve as the Senior Manager for Sponsored Program Contracts & Agreements. This position provides institutional-level leadership and oversight for research administration and sponsored programs activities supporting UTSI's growing portfolio of externally funded research. The role serves as a primary authority for pre-award and post-award functions, including proposal submission, research contract negotiation, award management, and service as UTSI's Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR). The position works closely with faculty, UTSI leadership, Finance, and University offices, including the Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development (ORIED), the University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF), and the Office of General Counsel, to support externally funded research, ensure compliance with sponsor and University requirements, mitigate institutional risk, and provide effective service throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight of sponsored programs activities, including pre-award and post-award functions.
• Serve as UTSI's Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) for proposal submission and certification.
• Review, approve, and commit institutional resources in support of sponsored projects within delegated authority.
• Lead negotiation and execution of complex sponsored research agreements, including federal, industry, state, nonprofit, and other sponsored agreements.
• Interpret and negotiate contract terms, including FAR/DFAR clauses, intellectual property provisions, publication rights, and sponsor-specific requirements.
• Analyze complex legal agreements, identify unacceptable or high-risk contractual language, and recommend or negotiate appropriate revisions consistent with University policy and applicable requirements.
• Collaborate with UTRF and the Office of General Counsel on intellectual property, invention disclosures, legal matters, and UTRF-related processes.
• Oversee subaward development, execution, monitoring, modifications, and related documentation.
• Provide guidance and support to faculty and research staff on proposal development, sponsor requirements, compliance matters, budgets, and contract terms.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate sponsored programs staff; establish priorities and ensure efficient workflow management and service delivery.
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and University policies, including applicable Uniform Guidance and federal contracting requirements.
• Participate in institutional and system-wide research administration initiatives and develop or improve processes that support research growth and reduce institutional risk.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in business, finance, administration, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 6-8 years of experience in sponsored programs, research administration, or contract management, including demonstrated experience reviewing and negotiating contracts, grants, or sponsored agreements.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Detailed knowledge of pre- and post-award sponsored programs administration
  • Knowledge of federal regulations and sponsor requirements
  • Ability to review and analyze proposals for accuracy, completeness, and compliance
  • Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to manage competing priorities and time-sensitive deadlines
  • Independent decision-making ability
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience:
  • Higher education or research environment experience
  • Supervisory or team leadership experience
  • Experience with intellectual property and UTRF-related processes
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Knowledge of federal contracting regulations, including FAR/DFAR
  • Familiarity with electronic research administration and sponsor systems such as Cayuse, Grants.gov, Research.gov, and similar platforms
  • Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential preferred

Work Location

• Location: Tullahoma, Tennessee - University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI).
• Work arrangement: Hybrid eligibility. The position is based at UTSI and is expected to maintain a meaningful on-campus presence because of the leadership, faculty support, and collaborative responsibilities of the role. Specific remote-work arrangements will be determined in accordance with University policy and operational needs.

Compensation And Benefits

• UT market range: MR14.
• Anticipated hiring range: $93,000 - $100,000
• The University of Tennessee offers a comprehensive benefits package and professional development opportunities.

About The Division

The University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI), located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, is a nationally recognized research institute supporting advanced research and education in aerospace, engineering, and applied sciences. UTSI partners with federal agencies, industry leaders, and academic institutions to drive innovation and research excellence.

Why Join UTSI

• Opportunity to play a key leadership role in a growing research environment.
• Collaborative and mission-driven culture.
• Engagement with faculty, researchers, and external partners across multiple disciplines.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

The University of Tennessee offers an extensive list of development and training opportunities. The Volunteer employee experience supports a community and culture where employees can contribute, develop, and thrive while advancing the University's land‑grant mission of learning, engagement, service, and leadership.

About Us

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service. UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land‑grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service. UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work‑life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top‑tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone. The university holds a strong commitment to its land‑grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.