Contracts Senior Specialist - Office of Research

Are you ready to join a community leading in innovative teaching and learning? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With our growing enrollment and global reach, we are enjoying increased prominence among Georgia's colleges. We offer more than 150 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to over 43,000 students. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics also draw students from throughout the region and from 92 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, and rich benefits make us an employer of choice. We are searching for talented people to join our mission. Come to KSU and find your passion.

Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Responsible for comprehensive management and oversight in the areas of contract negotiations, Independent Contractor Agreement and Subaward drafting, award set up, and building and maintaining positive relations with internal and external customers and partner various KSU offices, analyzing and interpreting policy and procedures related to research administration, and developing and disseminating research administration-related information to the campus. Builds and maintains partnering relationships with internal stakeholders and other operational departments while acting as a liaison with sponsors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Advises on and contributes to applicable policies and procedures for contract intake, review, and management as well as subrecipient monitoring and other contract related areas
2. Manages internal and external contract review and negotiations for all research related agreements
3. Drafts and manages Independent Contractor Agreements and outgoing Subawards
4. Reviews and may draft industry funded agreements, unfunded research agreements, and other research related agreements including but not limited to Data Use Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, and Confidentiality Agreements
5. Works closely with KSU Legal Division on contract review
6. Responsible for institutional contracts award acceptance and set up
7. Captures sponsored contract data and completes required federal reporting
8. Routes required agreements in various systems
9. Monitors and tracks the status of agreements
10. Assists with the development and implementation of campus-level and business processes related to research administration, in collaboration with department leadership 
11. Interacts regularly with and provides high quality customer service to faculty and other staff throughout the contract development and review process
12. Assists with team and faculty training 
13. Contributes to Sponsored Programs website to ensure it is user-friendly, has useful information, and is up to date Facilitates Just-In-Time and other pre-award actions requiring institutional authorized review
14. Aids in electronic system management for contract tracking and status updates
15. Serves as primary intermediary with all pertinent sponsors, faculty, staff and campus entities
16. Ensures adherence to quality standards, all policies, and award regulations

Educational Requirements
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education
Required Experience
Three (3) years of experience in grant award and/or contract management and review within a university, a non-profit institutions or academic medical center setting
Experience reviewing applicable federal statutes and regulations, including a strong understanding of laws and regulations related to research and sponsored activities including Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200, federal agency specific regulations, and non-federal sponsor guidelines

Additional Preferred Qualifications
Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
Preferred Educational Qualifications
Advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education
Preferred Experience
Familiarity with government contracting concepts, including FAR, DFARs, and various contract vehicles strongly preferred
Experience with Cayuse or using electronic grants management systems a plus
Experience using project management software to organize workflow a plus

The budgeted salary range is $69,280 to $83,000.  Offers are based on relevant experience. 

Comprehensive benefits to include Medical, Dental, Vision, 13 paid holidays, vacation, generous retirement plans, tuition waiver, wellness options, and much more! Visit hr.kennesaw.edu/benefits.

ABILITIES
Ability to read and interpret complex documents
Desire and ability to provide outstanding service to faculty and staff
Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlines
KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of federal grant regulations
SKILLS
Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management and presentation skills
Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)
Strong attention to detail and follow up skills
Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.
For additional information or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, [email protected].

This is not a supervisory position.
This position has financial responsibilities.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time

• Credit Report
• Standard Enhanced
• Education

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening
results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.

https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf