Research Contracts Manager
Villanova University
Posting Details
Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian order. Diversity and inclusion have been and will continue to be an integral component of Villanova University’s mission. The University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values. Duties and Responsibilities: Contract Management and Negotiation: Manage the receipt, review, negotiation, execution, and amendment of contracts including sponsored research, research collaborations, data sharing and use agreements, subcontracts, non-disclosures, and material transfers in accordance with institutional policies and procedures. Maintain and continue to expand upon existing processes and procedures for review of all research related agreements, including partnering with other administrative offices as needed (Provost’s Office, Office of General Counsel, Procurement, Office of Risk Management, University Compliance, Office of Research Protections), when exceptions to the University standard positions are needed. Act as Export Control Liaison between OG&C and the University Compliance and Research Security Offices. This includes reviewing awards for export control concerns and escalating for further action. Engages federal sponsors on export control issues including securing fundamental research determination where applicable.
Manage Research Contracts Specialist: Oversee subrecipient monitoring activities conducted by the Research Contract Specialist. At pre-award, this includes reviewing classification of relationship of participating research partners (vendor vs. sub). At post award, conducts institutional risk assessment and drafts subcontract agreements to reflect appropriate risk level and escalates concerns as needed. Reviews invoices and PI approvals throughout life of subaward to ensure compliance. Serve as manager and provide support to research contracts specialist role
Template Development and document maintenance: Maintain and continue to expand upon existing contract templates and preferred language library for research agreements, in collaboration with University Counsel, Office of Research Protections and University Compliance Office as needed. This also includes the development of alternate language options that can be used as part of the negotiation process. Maintain contract documentation in OG&C repository and university systems, where available. This includes documentation of contract exceptions approved by Risk Management, General Counsel, VPR, etc.
Participate in Tech Transfer Activities: Participate in Tech Transfer functions in absence of a campus wide tech transfer office, including reporting of inventions to sponsors, and working with University leadership to establish appropriate agreements for tech transfer activities. Serves as an intermediary between sponsors and University leadership regarding inventions arising from sponsored research.
Other: Establish and maintain professional and timely communications with external contacts throughout the contract negotiation process; build collaborative relationships internally with investigators and other academic personnel, University Counsel, and other administrative units as needed. Participate in weekly staff meetings, ongoing training and professional development offerings. Supports process improvement and community training activities representing areas of responsibility in OG&C. Remain current with industry-standard grants and contracts regulatory requirements and related practices through continuing education, participation in relevant industry groups, and the professional network of research administration.
NONESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Less Critical Duties etc.)
Develop and maintain working relationships with colleagues in OG&C; Dean’s Offices; departmental administrative staff; other central administrative offices; and investigators. Participate in OG&C initiatives as assigned. Minimum Qualifications: Formal Education: (e.g., degree) Bachelor’s Degree required. Master’s Degree or J.D. preferred.
Minimum Work Experience: Fluency in research administration, basic intellectual property principles, and related contracting terminology. Expertise in devising contract language solutions that protect the institution while meeting the needs of external parties. Ability to understand contractual requirements. Minimum of five years’ experience working independently with various agreement types in contracts administration, preferably in an academic environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to negotiate. Fluency in Microsoft Office suite; ability to understand configuration and operation of institutional and sponsor-provided systems related to grants and contracts. Preferred Qualifications: Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours: none
Special Message to Applicants: Posting Date: 01/17/2025 Closing Date (11:59pm ET): Salary Posting Information: Commensurate with experience. Salary Band: 18 Job Classification: exempt References Needed References Needed Minimum Number of References Needed 3 Maximum Number of References Needed 3 Supplemental Questions
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Posting Details (Default Section) Posting Number: 20254253S Position Title: Research Contracts Manager Position Type: Staff Location: Villanova, PA Recruitment Type: Internal/External Applicants Work Schedule: full-time/12-months Avg Hours Week 35 Department: 281-Office of Grants & Contracts Position Summary: The Research Contracts Manager operates as a member of the Office of Grants and Contracts, which is responsible for reviewing, negotiating, and executing research-related contracts and all subaward actions for externally funded grants and contracts. The Research Contracts Manager drafts, reviews, negotiates, and processes sponsored research contracts and other research related agreements, representing the institution to external parties.Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian order. Diversity and inclusion have been and will continue to be an integral component of Villanova University’s mission. The University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values. Duties and Responsibilities: Contract Management and Negotiation: Manage the receipt, review, negotiation, execution, and amendment of contracts including sponsored research, research collaborations, data sharing and use agreements, subcontracts, non-disclosures, and material transfers in accordance with institutional policies and procedures. Maintain and continue to expand upon existing processes and procedures for review of all research related agreements, including partnering with other administrative offices as needed (Provost’s Office, Office of General Counsel, Procurement, Office of Risk Management, University Compliance, Office of Research Protections), when exceptions to the University standard positions are needed. Act as Export Control Liaison between OG&C and the University Compliance and Research Security Offices. This includes reviewing awards for export control concerns and escalating for further action. Engages federal sponsors on export control issues including securing fundamental research determination where applicable.
Manage Research Contracts Specialist: Oversee subrecipient monitoring activities conducted by the Research Contract Specialist. At pre-award, this includes reviewing classification of relationship of participating research partners (vendor vs. sub). At post award, conducts institutional risk assessment and drafts subcontract agreements to reflect appropriate risk level and escalates concerns as needed. Reviews invoices and PI approvals throughout life of subaward to ensure compliance. Serve as manager and provide support to research contracts specialist role
Template Development and document maintenance: Maintain and continue to expand upon existing contract templates and preferred language library for research agreements, in collaboration with University Counsel, Office of Research Protections and University Compliance Office as needed. This also includes the development of alternate language options that can be used as part of the negotiation process. Maintain contract documentation in OG&C repository and university systems, where available. This includes documentation of contract exceptions approved by Risk Management, General Counsel, VPR, etc.
Participate in Tech Transfer Activities: Participate in Tech Transfer functions in absence of a campus wide tech transfer office, including reporting of inventions to sponsors, and working with University leadership to establish appropriate agreements for tech transfer activities. Serves as an intermediary between sponsors and University leadership regarding inventions arising from sponsored research.
Other: Establish and maintain professional and timely communications with external contacts throughout the contract negotiation process; build collaborative relationships internally with investigators and other academic personnel, University Counsel, and other administrative units as needed. Participate in weekly staff meetings, ongoing training and professional development offerings. Supports process improvement and community training activities representing areas of responsibility in OG&C. Remain current with industry-standard grants and contracts regulatory requirements and related practices through continuing education, participation in relevant industry groups, and the professional network of research administration.
NONESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Less Critical Duties etc.)
Develop and maintain working relationships with colleagues in OG&C; Dean’s Offices; departmental administrative staff; other central administrative offices; and investigators. Participate in OG&C initiatives as assigned. Minimum Qualifications: Formal Education: (e.g., degree) Bachelor’s Degree required. Master’s Degree or J.D. preferred.
Minimum Work Experience: Fluency in research administration, basic intellectual property principles, and related contracting terminology. Expertise in devising contract language solutions that protect the institution while meeting the needs of external parties. Ability to understand contractual requirements. Minimum of five years’ experience working independently with various agreement types in contracts administration, preferably in an academic environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to negotiate. Fluency in Microsoft Office suite; ability to understand configuration and operation of institutional and sponsor-provided systems related to grants and contracts. Preferred Qualifications: Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours: none
Special Message to Applicants: Posting Date: 01/17/2025 Closing Date (11:59pm ET): Salary Posting Information: Commensurate with experience. Salary Band: 18 Job Classification: exempt References Needed References Needed Minimum Number of References Needed 3 Maximum Number of References Needed 3 Supplemental Questions
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