Contracts Specialist

Overview

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is seeking a full-time contracts specialist to join the Office of Sponsored Programs.

UWM earned the highest rating – R1 – for a research institution from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, the gold standard for assessment. The Office of Research facilitates the creation of new knowledge and the development of innovative solutions by supporting research across the sciences, arts, and humanities that enhances the mission of UWM, and spurs economic growth.

The Office of Research, and its staff, are responsible for central research administration, oversight of research policy and compliance, and internal research development programs. The Office is part of Academic Affairs, and includes the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Office of Undergraduate Research, as well as several research centers.

Within the Office of Sponsored Programs, the contracts specialist: Reviews, approves, and negotiates grants, subcontracts, and agreements on behalf of the institution; Ensures proposal and award compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and terms and conditions, and; Campus level pre-award administration responsible for reviewing work submitted from campus partners prior to submission to sponsor for consideration.

Job Responsibilities

• Reviews, interprets, negotiates, and processes complex extramural award documents, proposals, and agreements according to established policies and procedures to adhere to timelines and meet unit objectives; such agreements include a range of research contracts, material transfer agreements, confidential disclosure agreements, nondisclosure agreements, consortium agreements, affiliation agreements, master agreements, and other non-monetary agreements
• Develops and facilitates trainings for designated work units on extramural negotiation, contracting conditions, and associated policies and procedures
• Issues sub-awards and sub-contracts
• Establishes accounts in the financial accounting system
• Manages and coordinates with the UWM Research Foundation for compliance activities and federal reporting requirements as specified in sponsored research agreements (e.g., intellectual property and invention disclosures)

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in any field, or commensurate combination of directly related experience and relevant coursework
• At least 3 years’ experience in an academic, non-profit, government, industry or healthcare environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree, including J.D., M.S., M.A., or other terminal degree
• Evidence of experience analyzing, negotiating, and preparing corporate-sponsored research agreements and non-monetary agreements
• Evidence of experience analyzing, negotiating, and preparing Federal, State, and non-profit organization research agreements, including subawards
• Evidence of working knowledge of Federal contracting language and policies, including the FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations) and DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement)
• Evidence of experience with intellectual property issues related to the conduct of externally funded research and other sponsored projects in a university environment
• Evidence of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness

Core Competencies

• Ability to think independently and make qualified judgments
• Ability to work on many projects simultaneously with attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize and perform effectively with self-direction
• Strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and collegial working relationships with university personnel, state and federal agencies, and private organizations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, Adobe Acrobat, and virtual collaboration programs (e.g., Teams, Zoom)

For this position, applicants are required to apply online: https://jobs.uwm.edu/postings/34678. Application deadline is open until filled; initial review date is July 18, 2022.