Contract Negotiator Benefits of working at VCU All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU's benefits here. Job Code 26211N Recruitment Pool All Applicants Posting Number req7334 Unit VP Research MBU Department Office of the Vice President for Research & Innovation Department Website Link https://research.vcu.edu Location VCU Address 907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23284 USA Duties & Responsibilities Welcome to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) … a world unlike any other! The unique backgrounds and life experiences of VCU's community are what drive the university forward. VCU's Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation's (OVPRI) mission is to foster transformative research, discovery and innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University through excellence in service. At VCU we combine learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with a commitment to inclusive excellence. VCU is a premier, urban, public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs. We partner with faculty in all schools and departments as they seek funding, plan studies, establish collaborations, calculate budgets, submit grant applications, negotiate industry contracts and secure patents and licensing agreements. Our commitment has resulted in record levels of sponsored research and has placed VCU among the nation's premier public research universities. Through our passion for discovery and willingness to take on challenges, we continue to advance the work that matters most and position the university as a national leader in research, innovation, creativity and scholarship. Our commitment has resulted in record levels of sponsored research and has placed VCU among the nation's premier public research universities. OVPRI link https://research.vcu.edu/ The OVPRI and our Division of Sponsored Programs (DSP) invites all interested candidates to apply for an exciting opportunity as a full-time Contract Negotiator. The Contract Negotiator is responsible for the following duties: * Review and negotiate agreements for VCU sponsored projects. Includes the ability to analyze and correctly interpret regulatory and contractual requirements and ensure compliance with sponsor requirements, university policies, and applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations associated with Federal and Non-Profit supported sponsored projects and clinical trials. Responsible for pre-award and post-award duties such as reviewing, preparing, negotiating, executing, and managing research agreements, contract amendments, confidentiality agreements and clinical trial agreements with Federal and Non-Profit entities; * Provide guidance to the University community related to clinical and non-clinical research projects, training programs and other externally sponsored collaborations with Federal and Non-Profit entities in a manner consistent with the comprehensive mission of VCU; * Provide personalized assistance (through RAMS-SPOT database, email, and/or by phone) to faculty and staff who are seeking and/or managing external funding for Federal and Non-Profit sponsored projects and clinical trial contracts. To include review of administrative actions, the drafting and negotiation of acceptable terms and timely execution of agreements and agreement modifications; * Maintains contractual records in RAMS-SPOT database and related contract tracking records * Participate in continuing education and pursue career-building training to stay current on procedures, policies, regulations and best practices Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: Previous experience with research administration lifecycle and terminology Ability to work successfully with university database for research administration Possess strong organization, analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail Be able to work independently and with accountability Excellent written and oral communication skills Strong team and collaborative skills Ability to prioritize and perform multiple tasks in a dynamic and fast-paced environment Ability to provide excellent customer service to a diverse population Must demonstrate the ability to creatively resolve problems related to sponsored programs administration in negotiating Federal/Non-Profit research grants, contracts and clinical trial agreements Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty/staff member at VCU. Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree with progressive work experience in research administration preferred Working knowledge of academic research operations and generally accepted business practices Online Tracking (RAMS-SPOT) or comparable sponsored program electronic database experience preferred Strong knowledge of federal regulations including but not limited to Uniform Guidance and Federal Acquisition Regulations preferred FLSA University Employee Job FTE 1.0 Exemption Status Exempt Restricted Position No E-Class UF - University Employee FT Job Category University Employee ORP Eligible No Salary Range Up to $60,000 Compensation Type Salaried Target Hire Date 6/10/2025 Contact Information for Candidates Documents Needed to Apply resume letter of interest