Career Center

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Associate Director of Contract Negotiations, Morningside of Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), the Contract Negotiations Officer will primarily be responsible for the review and negotiation of research collaboration and funding agreements, as assigned.  The Contract Negotiations Officer will also be responsible for review of other contracts and documents relating to sponsored research.  

The successful candidate will negotiate with external collaborators and sponsors in pursuit of research grants, agreement, contracts, and collaborations, in accordance with applicable regulatory and legal requirements and institutional policies.

The Contract Negotiations Officer will have duties that include intake, processing, negotiation, facilitating execution and archiving of contracts and agreements.  This individual is expected to adhere at all times to relevant sponsor and University guidelines in the facilitation of contracting operations. 

Responsibilities

Contract Negotiations

• Draft, review and negotiate agreements for sponsored research funding such as awards from federal and state agencies, foundations, industry partners, and other academic institutions, as well as collaboration agreements with external research partners. 
• Draft, review and negotiate unfunded sponsored research agreements, including confidentiality agreements, amendments, data use agreements, materials transfer agreements, and other related documents.
• Collaborate with SPA Projects Officers and department administrators and personnel as appropriate to ensure contract negotiations proceed in accordance with institutional needs.
• Ensure timely review and negotiation of research related agreements.
• Track and disseminate contract negotiation status updates to staff and internal partners.
• Liaise with internal partners in research such as Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA); Clinical Trials Office (CTO), Columbia Technology Ventures (CTV), Office of General Counsel (OGC), Sponsored Projects Finance (SPF); the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the Office of Research Compliance and Training (ORCT).
• Assist with implementation of policies and procedures designed to assure that contract negotiations are addressed in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations (such as those promulgated by the Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, Centers of Disease Prevention, and others).
• Prepare agreements for execution and archiving following institutional policies and procedures.
• Serve as a resource for researchers, faculty and departmental administrators with respect to sponsored research agreements.  
• Escalate negotiation issues to Manager of Contract Negotiations and/or Director of Sponsored Projects Administration to seek resolution.

Sponsored Projects Administration

• Review and provide input on proposal submission documents, including certs and reps.
• Maintain an up-to-date awareness of policy changes relevant to research administration.
• Assist Senior Project Officers and other departmental staff in identifying and problem-solving contract inquires and matters. 
• Perform other pre- and post-award duties as directed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor???s degree plus four to six years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Paralegal or law degree preferred.

Other Requirements

• Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects with conflicting deadline pressures and competing priorities.
• Work independently; superior verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, city government and private regulations with respect to non-profits organizations and sponsored research funding.
• Proficient in understanding parts of a contract, contract terms and their meaning, and demonstrated ability to negotiate contract clauses efficiently and professionally.
• Knowledge of academic business practices and compliance considerations.
• Understanding of federal regulations and procurement rules, including but not limited to Uniform Guidance and FAR clauses; demonstrate proficiency in conducting regulatory research.
• This position requires problem-solving skills in a deadline-driven environment as well as the consistent exercise of independent judgment and discretion.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

About Columbia University

Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.

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