Grants and Contracts Manager

Overview

Join our team at Boise State University! We are looking for a Grants and Contracts Manager to lead a team of Grants and Contracts Officers within the Office of Sponsored Programs in the Division of Research and Economic Development (DRED).

Learn more about the position and our university here.

Job Summary/Basic Function:

Within the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), the primary purpose of the Grants and Contracts Manager (GCM) is to provide oversight, direction, training, and mentorship of the Pre-Award Contracting team.

The Pre-Award Contracting team, comprised of Grants and Contracts Officers (GCOs), is responsible for acceptance and negotiation of extramurally funded grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts from non-profit, for-profit industry, and government (federal, state, and local) sponsors. They also serve as a liaison to various university offices and departments as questions and issues pertain to sponsored agreements.

The Grants and Contracts Manager uses their expertise to provide guidance on and tackle complex issues related to contracts and grants. This position demands strong analytical abilities and the capacity to respond promptly to emerging issues. Extensive knowledge of federal regulations and the capability to independently handle unique challenges are essential for success in this role.

This position reports to the Pre-Award Assistant Director in the Office of Sponsored Programs. It is hybrid or full-time remote eligible and based in Boise, Idaho.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary range is $86,486.40 to $105,000 annually and is commensurate with experience. Boise State University provides a best-in-class benefits package, including medical, dental, and other health-related insurance coverages, a 9.27% University contribution to a retirement fund, as well as paid leave which includes Vacation, Holiday and Sick. Boise State University offers tuition waivers for employees, spouses, and dependents.

Essential Functions:

90% Leadership/Supervisory and Sponsored Agreements Administration:

• Manage a team of Grants and Contracts Officers. Responsibilities to include, but are not limited to:
  • Providing training and mentorship to further growth and professional development in staff. This includes the development and implementation of training materials.
  • Supervising staff to assure accountability and stewardship of campus resources (operational, financial, and human) in compliance with departmental goals and objectives.
  • Managing workload assignments and ensuring an appropriate balance is maintained.
• Functions as advisor to OSP and Division of Research and Economic Development (DRED) leadership and sets goals and objectives for team members for achievement of operational results.
• Collaborate with OSP Leadership and the team of Grants and Contracts Officers to implement process improvements for the OSP Contracting Team, OSP, and/or DRED.
• Be primarily responsible for helping with emerging negotiations for contracts that allow Boise State to be more collaborative and open to research and creative activity opportunities (including unfunded contracts and master agreements).
• Be primarily responsible for drafting and negotiating sponsored industry contracts, as well as helping to project manage other related contracting activities for industry contracts, which may include assisting the Director of Technology Transfer with certain technology transfer contracts such as Non-Disclosure Agreements and Facilities Use Agreements.
• Share responsibility with the OSP and Research Enterprise Services (RES) leadership team to identify regulatory changes and, when appropriate, work with key stakeholders across campus to implement changes necessary for Boise State to comply with the changes.
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates terms and conditions with Federal, State, local government, university, for-profit, non-profit, and foreign entities, including the flow down of applicable terms and conditions from the university’s prime awards to other applicable agreements.
• Evaluates and legal terms and conditions to ensure they do not violate applicable law/policy (e.g., intellectual property, indemnity, insurance, confidentiality, publication), the university has established procedures to comply with them, and they make sound business and programmatic sense.
• Coordinates with all academic colleges and departments and other university offices (such as, but not limited to: the Office of the General Counsel, Office of Research Compliance, Risk Management and Insurance) to discuss suspect terms and conditions and ensure post-award compliance with accepted terms and conditions.
• Documents legal terms and conditions in the electronic agreement routing system in a manner that is understandable to university faculty and staff.
• Provides guidance to internal and external customers about OSP Agreements administration, including in-person training when appropriate.

5% Professional Development:

• Maintains knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply sponsor and institutional policies.
• Maintains knowledge of current compliance regulations in all areas of research administration. 

5% Other Duties:

Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Ability to lead, mentor, and/or supervise OSP personnel, including Grants and Contracts Officers.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with the ability to prioritize tasks, organize time/tasks/assignments effectively, and work well under deadlines.
• Ability to maintain composure and productivity despite pressing deadlines, frequent interruptions, distractions and competing priorities.
• Interpersonal and communication skills necessary to represent the interests of the research enterprise to internal and external customers, including the ability to understand and explain Federal and State statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to work collaboratively to resolve issues. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing, including the ability to interpret policy for others.
• Demonstrated organizational skills with a strong attention to detail and ability to recognize the workload of others faced with a heavy workload and competing deadlines and ability to temporarily reassign tasks to meet deadlines.
• Expert, comprehensive knowledge of pertinent federal (including the FAR) and non-federal sponsor regulations. Advanced knowledge and understanding of the compliance and sponsor policies related to research administration.
• Extensive knowledge of program administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment. Working knowledge of, and experience working with, various administrative units in higher education (Pre- and Post- Award, Research Compliance and Export Controls, Technology Transfer, General Counsel, Finance & Procurement, etc.).
• Proven ability to develop, review and negotiate complex legal agreements, including experience with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, subcontracts, and cooperative agreements.
• Demonstrated skill in understanding and interpreting Boise State University policies and procedures as they relate to sponsored agreements.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree or equivalent plus 8 years experience in similar work, including 5 years managerial experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Supervisory experience with a track record of managing a high-performing team. Requires the ability to delegate work as appropriate and create and maintain team spirit and harmonious working relationships.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating terms and conditions with Federal, State, local government, university, for-profit, non-profit, and foreign entities, including the flow down of applicable terms and conditions from the university’s prime awards to other applicable agreements.
• Proficient in the use of Boise State University systems, such as Oracle and InfoEd and agency systems such as Research.gov and eRA Commons.
• Juris Doctor Degree and/or equivalent work experience and training.

How to Apply: To apply, please submit the below by the application close date through the Boise State University portal here.

1. Cover letter indicating interest and qualifications for the role
2. Resume
3. Three Professional References