Senior Manager – Program Contracts, Agreements

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight of all sponsored programs activities, including pre‑award and post‑award functions
• Serve as UTSI’s Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) for proposal submission and certification
• Lead negotiation and execution of complex sponsored research agreements, including federal, industry, and non‑profit contracts
• Interpret and negotiate contract terms, including FAR/DFAR clauses, intellectual property provisions, and sponsor‑specific requirements
• Analyze and assess contractual risk, identifying and resolving high‑risk or non‑compliant terms
• Collaborate with UTRF and the Office of General Counsel on intellectual property and legal matters
• Oversee subaward development, execution, and monitoring
• Provide guidance and support to faculty on proposal development, compliance requirements, and contract terms
• Supervise and mentor sponsored programs staff and ensure efficient workflow management
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and University policies
• Participate in institutional and system-wide research administration initiatives

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, administration, or a related field
• Minimum of 6–8 years of experience in sponsored programs, research administration, or contract management
• Demonstrated experience reviewing and negotiating contracts, grants, or sponsored agreements
• Knowledge of federal regulations and sponsor requirements related to research administration
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment‑based visa status
• Master’s degree in a related field
• Experience working in higher education or a research environment
• Knowledge of federal contracting regulations (FAR/DFAR)
• Experience working with intellectual property and UTRF‑related processes
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential
• Supervisory or team leadership experience
• Familiarity with systems such as Cayuse, Grants.gov, or Research.gov

• contract negotiation
• contract management
• grant management
• risk assessment
• compliance analysis
• proposal development
• federal regulations
• sponsored research agreements
• intellectual property management
• research administration

• leadership
• mentoring
• organizational skills
• analytical skills
• problem‑solving skills
• communication skills
• workflow management
• time management
• collaboration
• multitasking

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA)