Associate Director, Research Fiscal Contracting
- Employer
- The University of Kansas
- Location
- University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
View more categoriesView less categories
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
The Associate Director position is on the Research Fiscal Affairs team in the Office of Research, and will represent the KU Center for KUCR, a separate legal entity affiliated with KU. The Associate Director’s primary responsibilities include: 1) Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex contracts with a variety of vendor and client types on behalf of KUCR/KU, and working with KU General Counsel as needed; 2) Implementing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance and KUCR procurement policies; 3) Overseeing requisitions for the acquisition of goods and services for University research. This position also serves as a resource for the KU research community on matters related to negotiation or acceptance of terms and conditions in contracts. This position will supervise the staff in the research contracting and purchasing functions.
Due to complex state employment laws, the University of Kansas may be unable to hire fully remote workers for this position outside of Kansas. Specifically, we cannot currently offer employment to candidates residing in the following states: California, Delaware, Idaho & Minnesota. We appreciate your understanding and invite interested individuals from eligible states to apply.Job Description60% | Contract Administration
- Lead the review, drafting, negotiation, execution, and administration of complex agreements for KUCR, including business service agreements, fee for service agreements, master service agreements, statements of work, consulting agreements, hotel and event agreements, research consortium agreements, confidentiality agreements, and other assigned contracts.
- Evaluate contractual terms, identify legal, financial, operational, compliance, and reputational risks, and negotiate terms consistent with KUCR and University requirements.
- Identify when a proposed service arrangement may constitute sponsored activity and coordinate referral to the appropriate office.
- Coordinate appropriate due diligence and compliance review when applicable.
- Determine and apply appropriate escalation and review pathways and/or coordinate with the University of Kansas Office of General Counsel and other subject-matter experts when agreements include nonstandard, high-risk, or specialized terms.
- Ensure negotiations, approvals, revisions, and final documents are appropriately documented and maintained in searchable contract records and workflow systems.
- Oversee contract intake, assignment, status tracking, quality control, and workload management to support timely and consistent service.
- Maintain and improve standard templates, guidance, negotiation resources, systems, controls, and procedures for contract execution and administration.
- Serve as a primary resource to faculty, staff, administrators, and external organizations regarding contract requirements, processes, and terms and conditions.
- Supervise, coach, and develop contracting staff; establish expectations and review work to promote accuracy, consistency, sound judgment, and responsive service.
- Lead staff responsible for procurement support and the administration of subcontract purchase orders and invoice workflows, including purchase order issuance, invoice coordination, issue resolution, and closeout.
- Ensure procurement and payment documentation is complete and compliant with applicable federal requirements, University policies, and KUCR procedures, including competition, quotation, bid, and sole-source documentation when required.
- Advise researchers and research administrators on acquiring equipment, supplies, and services through the University’s procure-to-pay systems.
- Resolve complex payment and procurement issues in collaboration with Post Award, principal investigators, vendors, and other University offices.
- Establish cross-training and business-continuity practices to support timely processing and appropriate segregation of duties.
- Monitor developments in research procurement, contracting, and federal compliance and recommend policy and procedural updates to the Director of Budgets and Financial Services.
- Develop, implement, document, and periodically assess procurement policies, procedures, internal controls, and desk guides.
- Serve as a subject-matter expert for research procurement and business contracting matters.
- Develop and deliver training, tools, and outreach that help faculty and staff understand and effectively use KUCR procurement and contracting processes.
- Use operational data, stakeholder feedback, and risk assessments to identify and implement process improvements.
- Provide oversight and coordination for contractual and financial risk-management matters affecting KUCR research operations.
- Coordinate with the Office of Risk Management and other stakeholders regarding insurance requirements, coverage limits, certificates of insurance, claims, applications, audits, and related reporting.
- Negotiate or support negotiation of insurance provisions and recommend practical risk-mitigation strategies.
- Develop performance measures, reports, and dashboards to monitor workload, timeliness, service quality, compliance, and operational efficiency.
- Provide functional ownership and ongoing administration for assigned contract-management and workflow systems.
- Lead or participate in special projects and perform other related duties as assigned.
- Master’s degree or Juris Doctor and three years of related experience, or bachelor’s degree and five years of related experience.
- Two years of experience supervising, leading, or formally directing the work of staff.
- Experience reviewing, negotiating, or administering contracts, procurement transactions, or related business agreements.
- Experience applying policies, regulations, or internal controls to business or financial processes.
- Experience using Microsoft Excel and Word, as demonstrated in application materials.
- Demonstrated attention to detail and accuracy, as evidenced in application materials.
- Demonstrated written communication skills, as evidenced in application materials.
- Experience working independently and collaboratively with customers and cross-functional partners.
- Experience applying 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) to procurement, subaward or subcontract payment, or other research-administration activities.
- Experience drafting or negotiating complex commercial, service, fee-for-service, equipment-use, confidentiality, consortium, license, lease, or event agreements.
- Experience in a university, nonprofit research foundation, sponsored-research, or research-administration environment.
- Experience with Oracle Financials or another enterprise financial or procure-to-pay system.
- Experience with contract-lifecycle, workflow, ticketing, or document-management systems.
- Experience developing policies, procedures, training, metrics, dashboards, or process improvements.
- Experience with grant accounting or sponsored-project administration.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application review begins Monday, November 9, 2026, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.Contact Information to ApplicantsMeagan Sadler, meagan.sadler@ku.eduAdvertised Salary Range$87,000 - $92,000Application Review BeginsMonday November 9, 2026Anticipated Start DateMonday December 7, 2026Apply to Job
Organization
Working at the University of Kansas
Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because, after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.
The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.
The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.
KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.
Instruction
KU offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate study programs, and we fulfill our mission through academic and research programs of international distinction, coupled with outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the academic experience for students from all 50 states and 112 countries, and provide enrichment resources for KU faculty and staff.
Research
The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. KU staff are integral to our research success, participating in and supporting discoveries that expand knowledge and improve lives.
Service
The university and our employees serve society through research, teaching and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU's academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. And, KU offers educational, research and service programs throughout the state. KU employees are encouraged to participate in and serve the campus and surrounding communities in a way that is meaningful to them.
International Dimension
KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.
Values
The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.
Our City and State
KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.
Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.
Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.
Kansas is in the center of the country, making it convenient and cost effective to fly or drive to destinations throughout the United States. Far from flat, the Flint Hills, just 90 minutes from Lawrence, offer panoramic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of America.
Making KU Your Home
Something about Lawrence is magnetic. Long-time residents are never surprised when a KU student or employee from out of state decides to make Lawrence their permanent home. And, even those who do leave often find themselves returning to “the nest” at some point in the future. In fact, Lawrence has been named by several publications as one of the best places to retire.
At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.
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