PG190665EP

No

Contract Negotiator

$60,000- $72,000 (commensurate with education and experience)

Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (some flexibility offered on work hours/schedule). When applicable, additional hours may be required when necessary to meet all obligatory deadlines.

Raleigh, NC

Sponsored Programs & Regulatory Compliance Services

Sponsored Programs facilitates the preparation and submission of proposals to all external sponsors. They negotiate, execute and administer contractual issues on all sponsored funding agreements from Federal, State and local governments as well as commercial industry sponsors and the administration of externally and internally funded sponsored projects.

The office also prepares, negotiates and administers all subawards and subcontracts, providing sponsored funds to entities providing scientific collaboration on the sponsored projects. Sponsored projects support all three Land Grant University missions of NC State, Research, Instruction and Extension.

The Negotiator in the Sponsored Programs office will be responsible for drafting, reviewing, adapting and negotiating both NC State agreements and external sponsor agreements leading to the establishment of acceptable agreements designed to fund the conduct the work by NC State in the areas of research, instruction or other sponsored activities (e.g. testing and fabrication services).

The Negotiator will work with a wide variety of external sponsors in the business and industry sector.

The selected candidate will be expected to utilize his or her own expertise as well as employ University resources and other personnel (as appropriate) to fulfill the following responsibilities: solve complex issues; read and analyze legal agreements; conduct formal negotiations; prepare risk assessments; provide advice and assistance on proposals to university customers and sponsors; recognize unacceptable contract language; consult with appropriate officials to assess the impact of certain terms, take action to eliminate or modify proposed contract terms in order to reach a mutually acceptable agreement, record actions in a database; and prepare agreements for industry sponsors.

The selected candidate will be expected to regularly confer with representatives of the Office of Regulatory Compliance, the Office of Contracts and Grants; the Office of Research Commercialization; and the Office of General Counsel so that the terms and conditions of research agreements negotiated support the policies of the UNC Board of Governors and NC State University, as well as State and/or Federal Regulations.

The Negotiator must keep university stakeholders informed on negotiation progress. The Negotiator must provide complete and accurate information and explanation as is necessary in order to fulfill the financial and technical reporting obligations of involved parties when needed.

The Negotiator will participate in training and support activities for the university community of research administrators through guidance on the SPARCS website, updating templates, and developing tutorial materials as well as direct class room training or consultation as required.

Maintain positive customer service attitude when providing support to Sponsored Programs & Regulatory Compliance Services (SPARCS) customers. The Negotiator will be expected to actively commit to the success of all members of the SPARCS team and its customers.

The Negotiator will be expected to review incoming sponsored project awards (e.g. contracts, grants and agreements) and solicitation documents to identify issues and requirements that are contrary to NC and/or Federal statutes, University policy, the best interests of the University, or the best interests of students and staff involved with the sponsored project. The Negotiator is responsible to promptly identify, research, and resolve extraordinarily complex issues surrounding legal, intellectual property, contract, financial, academic and other research-related issues, and establish contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements for research, instruction and other public service funding received by the University from for-profit business and industry. The Negotiator may also be required to review, negotiate and award federal, state-funded, and local government agreements, as well as agreements from not-for-profit sponsors that include associations, foundations, other universities, etc.

The Negotiator is responsible for making direct contact with the sponsoring entity, the College Research Office, Office of Research Commercialization, Office of General Counsel, the Principal Investigator (PI), the department involved in the project, and/or the college involved in the project in order to evaluate the issues identified in the review of incoming agreements/award transactions and seek a resolution that is satisfactory for all parties. This may include writing letters of exception to the sponsor, detailing the issues identified in the review, offering rationale for the university’s position, and drafting alternative terms and conditions. The Negotiator will routinely read, review and prepare electronic documents presented with tracked changes.

The Negotiator will be responsible for organizing and leading conference and/or video calls with multiple parties. The Negotiator must recognize terms, conditions and issues associated with project agreements that require consultation with the University’s policy makers, legal advisors, intellectual property managers/licensing associates, financial managers, and regulatory compliance officials, in order to prepare a recommended course of action based upon their own analysis and any advice in order to complete each action in a comprehensive and timely manner.

The Negotiator must be able to evaluate the risks and benefits of both the university and the sponsor for each circumstance (factors including but not limited to: the proposed research, the identity of the sponsor, dollar value, non-financial value, etc.) under consideration and recommend a course of action that facilitates the research enterprise and minimizes risk to the University.

The Negotiator may advise a PI regarding preparation of a proposal in order to meet requirements and standards of a particular sponsor. The Negotiator will also assist sponsors in the conduct of their pre-award cost analysis of a pending award action.

The Negotiator will be expected to maintain the appropriate database records of specific actions, pertinent correspondence and negotiation records so that the supervisor and other interested parties throughout the university may continuously monitor the progress of negotiations and award actions for all projects.

The Negotiator will be responsible for their own professional correspondence, for adapting existing agreement templates and related instruments, preparing them for signature by authorized individuals, and to assist sponsors in establishing an appropriate sponsored project agreement.

The Negotiator will draft, negotiate, record, and issue sub awards as proposed and approved by the responsible Principal Investigator/Project Director and approved by the project’s sponsor. Negotiator will manage post award issues requiring modification to existing research agreements.

Other duties as assigned.

Master’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field, and two years’ experience in the processing, negotiating, and/or administration of grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements.

SPARCS excitedly seeks a self-motivated individual who can work effectively both alone and as part of a team. A successful candidate will have demonstrated abilities in:

-Interpreting; applying; and educating others regarding an organization’s policies, rules, regulations and/or procedures
- Excellent customer service skills;
- Problem solving skills;
- Reviewing and complying with sponsored project agreements or other relevant legal agreements;
- Utilizing the Microsoft Office® suite of software applications (especially Word and Excel), Adobe Acrobat, and various internet browsers;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills; and
- Willingness to learn and work with others.

- Experience in research administration at a college, university, company, foundation, and/or state agency is highly desirable.
- Certified Research Administrator (CRA).
- Familiarity with US Law regarding Intellectual Property (IP) and Copyright (CR).
- Bachelor degree or higher in Public Administration, Business Administration, English, or other similar degree.
- Legal experience and/or a Juris Doctorate.

N/A

No

No

11/03/2020

Open Until Filled.

Please include a resume/CV, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references. At least one reference must be from a current or former supervisor.

00104125

EHRA Non-Faculty

1.00

12 Month Recurring

Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

No

060101 - Office of Research & Innovation (ORI)

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process, please call 919-515-3148.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. If highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree equivalency verified at www.wes.org or equivalent service. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.