Sponsored Research Contract Specialist

Major Responsibilities:

• Facilitates the development, review and approval of awards, contracts and other sponsored agreements in coordination with Advocate Aurora Health’s (“AAH”) legal counsel and compliance from the time of award through the execution of the award, including renewals and amendments, with multiple academic and community-based institutions.
• Ensures that the project related portions for any legal agreements have been negotiated with internal and external parties and are complete, accurate, and clear prior to their submission for the legal review and that the balance of the legal agreement/s terms and conditions have been reviewed within parameters established by AAH’s legal office.
• In conjunction with AAH’s legal counsel, generates subawards and subtier agreements for work to be completed by the institution's research partners. For these agreements, where the institution is the recipient of funding, reviews and provides feedback on agreement language prior to signature by the institution's representative.
• Reviews and applies knowledge of government regulations, especially the Federal Uniform Guidance Regulations (2 CFR 200) to assignments. May be asked to contribute to the review, update, and drafting of Policies and Procedures and Standard Operating Procedures, and to the drafting of technical letters on a range of topics.
• Upon request, may investigate and apply knowledge of government regulations and AAH Policies and Procedures in response to specific SPO and AAHRI team member requests and other AAH colleague request and supports/helps ensure compliance with governing regulations.
• Assigned special projects and assignments by Manager consistent with expertise and experience.
• Develops project budgets, makes post-award budget revisions, drafts/obtains justifications, and negotiates reporting requirements as required for each legal agreement.
• Submits/routes all legal agreements including letters to legal counsel and after approval routes the documents to appropriate internal parties for approval prior to obtaining approval from external parties.
• Participates in pre-award submissions and post-award grant administrative activities as needed.
• Provides support for the integration of research and service programs with the clinical and educational programs of AAHRI and AAH. Collaborates/participates in building relationships and developing joint programs and services with the multi-institutional partners of AAH.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• None Required.

Education Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business or related field.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 2 years of experience in working within research, academia or health care institutions, with knowledge of research grants and research contracts.
• At least 2 years prior legal or research administration experience, including negotiation of contracts.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of business administration, finance and accounting.
• Experience in grant budgets and contract negotiations.
• Knowledge and understanding of accounting/budgeting, financial, and regulatory requirements associated with grants and subcontracts of complex academic institutions.
• Ability to review contracts related to legal requirements as it relates to research, and knowledge as to when legal counsel should be obtained.
• Ability to work independently in managing a portfolio of agreements and other assignments.
• Knowledge of federal guidelines and policies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint) or similar products.
• Advanced ability to create and work with large spreadsheets to create financial products.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Contract drafting and negotiation; willing to train on the research administration environment but must have contract negotiation experience.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must have functional speech, vision and hearing.
• Exposed to a normal office environment. May require some travel, so there will be exposure to weather and road conditions.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

Additional Information:

Remote work from the following states only: AL, AK, AR, AZ, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, LA, KS, KY, ME, MI., MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV, WY

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.