• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Manager of Contract Negotiations (“Manager”) of the Sponsored Projects Administration Office at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (“CUIMC”), the Contract Negotiations Officer ("Contract Officer") is primarily responsible for the review and negotiation of research-related agreements, including but not limited to, federal and private Grant Agreements, Sponsored Research Agreements, Clinical Trial Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, Data Use Agreements and Services Agreements.

The successful candidate will work with sponsors in negotiating agreements in accordance with all applicable regulatory and legal requirements and institutional policies. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Assistant Vice President, Associate Director of Research Operations, and Associate Director of Financial Operations in the Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), General Counsel, faculty, as well as central, departmental, and research administration in meeting the institutional needs regarding contract negotiations and execution;

• Ensure timely review and negotiation of agreements with special attention to submission deadlines and time-sensitive requests;

• Liaise with internal partners in research such as the Clinical Trials Office, Sponsored Projects Administration (Morningside Office), Columbia Technology Ventures, Purchasing, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, the Institutional Review Board, and the Office of Research Compliance and Training;

• Negotiate agreements directly with sponsors according to institutional policies and procedures;

• Monitor agreements for compliance with contractual requirements and execute amendments as needed;

• Assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures designed to assure that all agreements are in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, including those promulgated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the rules of the Joint Commission;

• Function as liaison to federal and non-federal grantor agencies;

• Serve as a resource for researchers, faculty, and departmental administrators with respect to federal regulations and institutional policies;

• Maintain an up-to-date digital archive of agreements, legal correspondence, and other records for tracking and auditing purposes.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience, plus three years of related experience

• Requires a Juris Doctor (JD) degree

Preferred Requirements

• The candidate must be able to work independently with prior project management experience
• Proven negotiation expertise
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills
• Strong computer skills required, including, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Detail oriented with sophisticated customer service skills
• Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects with conflicting deadline pressures and competing priorities 
• Prior experience with contract negotiation in a research-intensive university or academic medical center is preferred
• Proven knowledge of federal and local research regulations  

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.