Campus Pride Jobs

Job Title

Contract Negotiator II

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Administrative Services Staff

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Job Description Summary

The Contract Negotiator II, under general supervision and direction, reviews and negotiates contracts, reviews proposal documentation when needed, and assists with post-award contract administration. This position requires daily review and drafting of contractual language in addition to one-on-one and supervisor assisted negotiations with sponsors/subcontractors. The CN is responsible for ensuring the terms and conditions of award documents comply with The Texas A&M University System (“TAMUS”) policies, Federal and State laws and regulations, TAMUS Office of General Counsel guidance, and sponsor guidelines.

This position will be expected to work independently as well as directly with its supervisor and colleagues on non-standard and complex agreements. Routine updates in negotiation records with status information and prompt and accurate responses to communications inside and outside the agency is critical. While this position is primarily focused on industry sponsored research contracts, this position will also be expected to assist with and negotiate routine and complex non-sponsored agreements such as NDAs, MTAs, teaming, and collaboration agreements.

Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Review and negotiate terms and conditions of contract documents with sponsors/sub-awardees/collaborators to ensure compliance with applicable policies, Federal and State laws, regulations, guidelines, and System member requirements. Write and review standard and complex agreements, subcontracts, and non-sponsored agreements.

Negotiations will focus on Industry sponsored projects and will include but are not limited to:

• Rights in technical data and intellectual property,

• Publication rights,

• Deliverables,

• Costs/price, payment, and billing procedures,

• Confidentiality,

• Publicity,

• Title to equipment,

• Travel regulations, and

• Compliance requirements.

• Non-sponsored agreements as needed: leases, rental agreements, teaming agreements, and institutional contributions, compliance items, sharing of materials, etc. Communicate with supervisor, faculty, and administration as needed in addition to updating electronic files. Review and write exceptions for Request for Proposal documents. Maintain current knowledge of Federal and State requirements as well as those of the System members. Serve as the point of contact for sponsors/collaborators during negotiations. Prepare correspondence and requests to sponsors for agreement/contract modification.

Utilize knowledge of Federal flow through procedures, Federal Acquisition Regulations, etc. to assist researchers and department personnel relative to research funding, regulatory guidelines, and sponsor information.

Coordinate efforts with researchers and department personnel to resolve contractual matters and provide information as requested. Researched and clear communication is required.

Maintain all negotiations-related documentation in negotiations databases. Ensure that all records are updated regularly, and that documentation represents the current status of each negotiation.

Ensure that all negotiations are processed in a timely fashion and that all parties to the negotiation are kept apprised of the status. Assist the Director and Associate Director (“CO Directors”) in special projects. Propose policy and procedural changes to CO Directors.

Collaboration. Work collaboratively with the Texas A&M Innovation, TAMUS Office of General Counsel, TAMUS and TAMUS member offices for risk and compliance, and other offices as required.

Administrative Review. Provide thorough summaries of reviews for submission to administration for review/discussion and approval decisions made by administration. Serve as a point of contact for administration, faculty, etc.

Communications. Perform professional, accurate, and clear phone, in-person, and video/web-based communication with faculty, administration, sponsors/collaborators, colleagues, and other offices. This position reports directly to the Senior Contract Negotiator.

Note: This document represents the major duties, responsibilities, and authorities of this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. Other duties may be assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience plus an additional two (2) years of related experience in contract negotiation and/or research administration.

Required Knowledge Abilities and Skills:

• Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications.

• Knowledge of contracts, including nonstandard clauses and agreements and practical application of current research administration issues. Excellent professional verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to prioritize work with various projects and deadlines, exercising independent judgment. Ability to proactively communicate with colleagues and supervisor regarding updates on changes in circumstances of negotiations or project tasks, etc.

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

COMMENTS TO CANDIDATES:

In order to be considered for this position you will need to attach/submit:

• Cover Letter

• Separate Resume

Webpage:

https://agrilifeas.tamu.edu/co/industry-and-commodity-sponsored-contract-services/

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.

As the largest comprehensive agriculture and life sciences program nationally, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies within the Texas A&M University System With over 5,000 employees, and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, the environment, and the economy of Texas and the nation through education, research, extension and service.If your goal is the pursuit of excellence and your vision is to make a difference in this world, we invite you to explore our opportunities to discover what a career at Texas A&M AgriLife has to offer you.

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/agency/extension-home/)

• Texas A&M AgriLife Research

• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/agency/college-home/)

• Texas A&M Forest Service

• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/agency/tvmdl-home/)

  Texas A&M AgriLife collaborates with Prairie View A&M University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and West Texas A&M University as well as with other public and private partners.

• Prospective employee benefits

• Retirement programs

• Commitment to inclusive excellence (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/about/diversity-inclusion/)

• Strategic plan