Manager, Contracts

The University of Arizona Health Sciences (UAHS) Office of Research Administration is looking for a Manager, Contracts to work closely with colleagues in a fast-paced environment. This position will offer ample opportunity to work in the world of research administration in support of faculty who conduct research in the multiple colleges that comprise the University of Arizona Health Sciences. The position will work closely with faculty, research staff, study teams, and our medical partner including Banner Health, to coordinate contract negotiations.
Research Administration, within the University of Arizona Health Sciences (UAHS), provides concierge-level service to all UAHS investigators in support of clinical research contracting. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a team environment with a strong customer service focus and to play a part in facilitating the groundbreaking research occurring every day at the University of Arizona. Forbes Magazine has named The University of Arizona as one of the state's best places to work in 2023!
This position is responsible for the processing and negotiation of complex industry, federal and state-sponsored research, non-profit foundations, other universities, and other sponsored agreements. This position will support the University of Arizona by negotiating agreements that bring external funding and other forms of support to university research, education, service and outreach activities. This role will be responsible for working with faculty in all areas of health sciences to understand their needs, apply university policy, applicable regulations, and legal principles, and employ negotiating skills to successfully complete contracts. Anticipate and address the needs of contract negotiations while providing exceptional customer service to investigators in a team-based environment. We are committed to identifying and adhering to policy changes in grants and contracts administration while upholding high standards of integrity and fiduciary responsibility.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

• Supervise UAHS Research Administration contracts team comprised of highly skilled professionals. Responsible for hiring, providing training and development, mentoring, conducting performance evaluations for contracts staff an ensuring a high-functioning team aligned with goals and service standards that impact multiple units within UAHS.
• Responsible for resource allocation including budget and staffing needs for various trial projects in multidisciplinary areas such as surgery, arthritis center, and nutritional sciences.
• Ensures trial contracts meet criteria to benefit college research goals, and that resources are assigned appropriately, as well as in compliance with federal, state and institutional policies. Assesses and proposes changes when necessary.
• Responsible for collaborating with Banner research trials related to multiple clinical areas such as cardiology, diabetes, oncology, OB, etc..
• Oversee the drafting, review, negotiation, and processing of educational affiliation agreements, for clinical sites regarding medical, pharmacy, and nursing student rotations.
• Assign work to the contracts team and ensure completion of agreements within expected timelines.
• Engages in cost benefit analysis of taking on specific clinical trials, negotiates contracts, determines scope, facilities, and compliance along with assessing liability and associated risk to the University.
• Reviews, interprets, explains, and independently negotiates terms, budget appropriateness, and compliance requirements for grants, funded and non-funded research agreements.
• Fosters effective relationships with both external partners and internal UA groups including Office of Research and Partnerships, the Office of General Counsel, Tech Launch Arizona, the Export Control Program, Risk Management and other administrative offices.
• Works directly with managers, supervisors and faculty to understand how to structure agreements to accomplish goals.
• Develops and provides training and other resources for agreements to faculty, project managers, and other administrative personnel regarding policies, procedures, laws, and regulations related to university clinical
  research agreements.
• Establishes and maintains a system to communicate the status of agreements and amendments to university stakeholders.
• Participate, attend, and present at national meetings, and other campus outreach activities.
• Works to enhance coordination, communication, and efficient and effective negotiations with
  internal stakeholders and sponsors.
• Maintain knowledge of current developments in policy, laws, regulations and best practices regulating university agreements and provide training of new polices to staff and other internal stakeholders.
• Evaluates progress of unit and creates tools for agreements including guidelines, procedures, and f templates and initiates major changes in procedures based on evaluation of results of the unit.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of and expertise in negotiating issues in federal, academic, or business contracting in a research/ environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in supporting clinical research contracting in an academic setting. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and significant attention to detail.

• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, business administration, engineering, science or related field.
• 7 years of related work experience, including 3 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  
  

• An advanced degree such as a Master of Science in a technical field, a Master of Business Administration, or a Juris
  Doctor.
• Diverse, successful experience as a research administrator in an academic setting.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in the negotiation of agreements establishing research
  and development relationships in business, government, and/or academic environments with at least three years of
  clinical research contracting.
• Three years of managerial experience or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Elisha Johnson, elishajohnson@arizona.edu