On behalf of the Board of Trustees, at the Urbana-Champaign campus, independently negotiate external sponsorship in the form of contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, non-disclosure agreements, material transfer agreements, collaboration agreements, teaming agreements, licensing agreements, sub-awards, and consulting agreements.

Award Negotiator – Duties & Responsibilities

Negotiation Engagement and Advisement: Independently perform specialized negotiation of contracts and awards for sponsored projects on behalf of the University’s Board of Trustees to ensure reasonable terms and conditions and compliance with international, federal and state laws and University policies and practices. Draft contract terms and conditions that provide for acceptable compromise for all parties while remaining compliant with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures. Exercise authority in accepting terms and conditions, or alternatively determining the need for legal review or administrative approval. Possess the ability to manage a large portfolio of agreements with a variety of international, corporate, non-profit, federal and state sponsors. Advise faculty, administrators, and sponsored programs management on negotiations related to complex or sensitive agreement issues regarding regulatory compliance, intellectual property, publication rights, and liability.

Policy & Regulation Interpretation and Application: Research, interpret and autonomously apply relevant international, federal and state laws, regulations, guidelines and standards to ensure compliance within agreements. Interpret, translate and autonomously apply University policies and procedures as they relate to specific terms within agreements. Independently identify compliance concerns through review of the project statement of work and Sponsor’s proposed contractual terms and conditions and engage with various University administrative and compliance units (OVCR, IRB, IACUC, IBC, Division of Research Safety, Human Resources, Purchasing, General Counsel, Risk Management, and Office of Technology Management) to ensure the sponsored activity and terms of the agreement adhere to policies, laws, and regulations.

Electronic Systems Application: Maintain a working knowledge of over 150 sponsoring agency electronic systems and advise stakeholders – investigators, college deans, institute directors, department heads, and staff – when and how to use these systems. Exercise independent judgement to approve and submit proposal applications in federal sponsoring agency systems and non-federal sponsoring agency systems on behalf of the Vice Chancellor for Research.

Electronic Systems Application & Training, Development and Presentation: Document, update, and maintain internal research administration database system, noting the specifics of each negotiation, including unresolved issues, institutional approvals and clauses of concern. Assist in developing training and tools to facilitate the ability of sponsored programs staff, University faculty, and department research administrators to obtain external sponsorship, manage sponsored awards, and maintain institutional regulatory compliance. Assist in new hire training.

Office Contributions: Independently seek opportunities to increase overall office knowledge and services provided, including attending conferences and webinars. Manage multiple tasks effectively and with a high level of productivity. Independently seek opportunities for professional development. Overnight travel may be required. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in legal studies, business law, business management or closely related fields. Alternate fields will be considered with equivalent experience. Four+ years’ experience in a complex business, academic or government environment. Demonstrated experience in contract negotiation and management.

_**Preferred Qualifications: **_Master’s degree or JD. Experience in sponsored program review, negotiation and finalization of awards and contracts within a University pre-award research administration office. Certification in research administration (CRA). Certification in research administration at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Illini CRA).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required: Well-developed organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to complete multiple tasks, work effectively under deadline pressure and to successfully manage competing priorities with tact and efficiency. Outstanding customer service and highly developed communication skills. Ability to work autonomously and make informed business decisions with minimal oversight. Ability to work as a member of an effective, integrated team. Willingness to learn new electronic systems, and keep up with frequent updates to existing systems. Proficiency in commonly-employed software.

Preferred: Knowledge of policies and procedures for the conduct of sponsored programs at the University of Illinois, including international, federal, and state of Illinois policies and regulations.

Senior Award Negotiator – Duties & Responsibilities

Negotiation Engagement and Advisement: Independently perform high-level negotiation of contracts and awards for sponsored projects on behalf of the University’s Board of Trustees to ensure reasonable terms and conditions and compliance with international, federal and state laws and University policies and practices. Draft contract terms and conditions that provide for acceptable compromise for all parties while remaining compliant with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures. Exercise authority in accepting terms and conditions, or alternatively determining the need for legal review or administrative approval. Possess the ability to manage a large portfolio of agreements with a variety of international, corporate, non-profit, federal and state sponsors. Advise faculty, administrators, and sponsored programs management on negotiations related to complex or sensitive agreement issues regarding regulatory compliance, intellectual property, publication rights, and liability. As a subject matter expert, advise internal and external constituents, and SPA colleagues on various complex agreements.

Policy & Regulation Interpretation and Application: Research, interpret and autonomously apply relevant international, federal and state laws, regulations, guidelines and standards to ensure compliance within agreements. Interpret, translate and autonomously apply University policies and procedures as they relate to specific terms within agreements. Independently identify compliance concerns through review of the project statement of work and Sponsor’s proposed contractual terms and conditions and engage with various University administrative and compliance units (OVCR, IRB, IACUC, IBC, Division of Research Safety, Human Resources, Purchasing, General Counsel, Risk Management, and Office of Technology Management) to ensure the sponsored activity and terms of the agreement adhere to policies, laws, and regulations.

Electronic Systems Application & Training, Development and Presentation: Document, update, and maintain internal research administration database system, noting the specifics of each negotiation, including unresolved issues, institutional approvals and clauses of concern. Assist in developing policy, communications, training and tools to facilitate the ability of sponsored programs staff, University faculty, and department research administrators to obtain external sponsorship, manage sponsored awards, and maintain institutional regulatory compliance. Serve as the primary liaison for onboarding new members of the Negotiation Team and assist in new hire training. Develop and deliver presentations at SPaRC, NCURA and other training opportunities.

Business Operations Contributions: Act as resource and back-up to the Assistant and Associate Director(s) of the Negotiation Team, coordinating communications with, and responding to inquiries from the Negotiation Team and others. Independently seek opportunities to increase overall office knowledge and services provided, including attending conferences and webinars. Manage multiple tasks effectively and with a high level of productivity. Independently seek opportunities for professional development. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in legal studies, business law, business management or closely related fields. Alternate fields will be considered with equivalent experience. Two+ years of experience in research administration in a University setting. Demonstrated experience in contract negotiation and management.

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree or JD. Experience presenting contract negotiation topics. Two years of experience in sponsored program review, negotiation and finalization of awards and contracts within a University pre-award research administration office. Certification in research administration (CRA). Certification in research administration at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Illini CRA).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required: Knowledge of international, federal and state of Illinois polices and regulations related to sponsored programs administration. Well-developed organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to complete multiple tasks, work effectively under deadline pressure and to successfully manage competing priorities with tact and efficiency. Outstanding customer service and highly developed communication skills. Excellent presentation and teaching skills. Ability to work autonomously and make informed business decisions with minimal oversight. Ability to work as a member of an effective, integrated team. Willingness to learn new electronic systems and keep up with frequent updates to existing systems.

Preferred: Knowledge of policies and procedures for the conduct of sponsored programs at the University of Illinois.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close date. Salary ranges are as follows, and commensurate with experience.

Award Negotiator – $65,000 – $70,000

Senior Award Negotiator – $72,000 – $77,000