Job Summary

The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), within the Office of Research & Innovation (ORI), provides leadership in grants and contracts administration throughout the lifecycle of awards by working closely with diverse university faculty and compliance offices to ensure the responsible stewardship of external funding. Reporting to the Executive Director of Sponsored Programs, the Director, Contracts and Subawards, manages the direct oversight of the contract review, drafting, and negotiation processes for all sponsored program related contracts and agreements with external partners. The Director will serve in a leadership position within OSP to supervise the Contracts Team and a newly established Subawards Team.

Essential Functions

• Supervise the Contracts and Subaward Teams
  • Oversee the timely and accurate processing of all sponsored program contracts, agreements, and subawards.
  • Direct the interface between extramural sponsors, program officials, principal investigators, and department staff to facilitate the contracting functions for all University sponsored activities.
  • Manage the drafting, review and negotiation of terms and conditions for research contracts with industry, private and government sponsors (including but not limited to clinical trial agreements, sponsored research agreements, non-disclosure agreements, teaming agreements, subcontracts and amendments). Provide final review of all agreements before signed by university signing official.
  • Develop tracking tools and metrics to keep Contracts Team and Subawards Team on target to meet performance goals.
  • Perform all HR responsibilities required for managing two teams.

• Process Improvement
  • Work with the Executive Director of Sponsored programs to review and revise guidelines, policies, processes, and procedures for sponsored programs contracting.
  • Collaborate with the Office of General Counsel to review contract negotiation guidelines and update, as needed, based on changes in federal and state rules/regulations or University policies.
  • Collaborate with the Office of General Counsel to draft and revise contract, subaward, and agreement templates.
  • Work with OSP leadership team through the eRA system integration and provide subject matter expertise to ensure system provides contracting capabilities and needs.
  • Work with Research Compliance, Applied Innovation, and other University central office units (General Counsel, Risk Management, Privacy, etc.) to ensure compliance with university policies and procedures as well as streamlining current processes.

• Education and Training
  • Develop and provide resource tools, guidance, and training to Contracts and Subawards Teams to ensure successful performance, compliance, and risk mitigation.
  • Provide guidance to the Contracts and Subawards Teams on drafting, reviewing and negotiating terms and conditions for sponsored contracts with industry, private, and government sponsors, including but not limited to clinical trial agreements, sponsored research agreements, non-disclosure agreements, teaming agreements, subawards, subcontracts, and amendments.
  • Serve as the subject-matter-expert in sponsored programs contracting and processes to provide leadership in developing training programs, tools, resources, and guidance to campus faculty and research staff.
  • Advise internal stakeholders on contract-related matters, including contract interpretation, rights, and obligations.
  • Stay abreast on current trends in research administration as well as changing federal, state, and local rules and regulations.
  • Provide expertise and consultation on FAR, DFAR, Uniform Guidance, and other federal rules and regulations and how they apply to sponsored activities from a contracting standpoint.
  • Train Contracts Team and Subawards Team, as needed.
  • Work with OSP leadership team to develop a structured training programs for the research community as well as for onboarding new OSP staff.

• Perform special projects and other responsibilities as required and assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent in Legal Studies or related field from an accredited institution
• A minimum of 7-10 years progressive work experience
• 3-5 years of supervisory experience
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certification required
• Demonstrated experience with FAR-based contracting with a focus on DOD-funded research contracts
• Experience with a wide range of U.S. government award mechanisms such as Cost-Plus Fixed Fee, Firm Fixed Price, Time and Materials, and IDIQs, among others as well as experience with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), agency supplements such as the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplements (DFARS), USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), and the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200).
• Understanding of Overhead Rate, Fee, and development of cost proposals
• Experience in contracting with industry, foundations, and other non-federal sponsors.
• Experience in executing unfunded agreements, such as teaming agreements, collaboration agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and data use agreements.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and writing skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Outlook, Excel, and Teams
• Proven ability to work in a hybrid or remote environment
• Ability to pivot in an actively changing environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree or JD

Location

• Remote

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt, grade N. Compensation for this grade ranges from $90,430 - $135,640.  Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review. 

We encourage you to explore Drexel's Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on our compensation framework.

You can also find valuable information about our benefits in the Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.