Senior Contract Specialist

NYU Grossman School of Medicine is one of the nation's top-ranked medical schools. For 175 years, NYU Grossman School of Medicine has trained thousands of physicians and scientists who have helped to shape the course of medical history and enrich the lives of countless people. An integral part of NYU Langone Health , the Grossman School of Medicine at its core is committed to improving the human condition through medical education, scientific research, and direct patient care. For more information, go to med.nyu.edu , and interact with us on LinkedIn , Glassdoor , Indeed , Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .

Position Summary:

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Sr. Contract Specialist.

The Sr. Contract Specialist is responsible for the review and negotiation of contracts, grant agreements and other agreements (including subawards and service agreements) administered by SPA.
The position entails processing of all contracts and liaising with sponsoring agencies, collaborating institutions, the Deans Office, the Principal Investigator (PI) and the PIs department, Office of Science and Research units such as Industrial Liaison (OIL), Clinical Trials (OCT), as well as other central administration departments such as the Development Office, the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), the Department of Insurance & Enterprise Risk Management (Insurance) and others. The Sr. Contracts Specialist must work as part of a team with the research community to prepare contracts, grant agreements and other agreements for proper execution.

Job Responsibilities:

• Performs other administrative duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Participates in activities related to systems improvement within SPA.
• Performs copying, scanning, distribution and filing of all contractual documentation relating to any research projects being processed through SPA.
• Performs general word processing duties utilizing intermediate to advanced-level functions.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the NYUSoMs service standards and incorporates them into the performance of duties.
• Assists supervisor in development of new forms, guidelines, manuals and directions in connection with SPA contracting process; suggests changes to SPA processes to increase efficiency or clarity or otherwise improve them.
• Alerts supervisor to any significant changes in documents requiring managerial review.
• Alerts supervisors to any significant changes in documents, requiring managerial review.
• Maintains current knowledge of all relevant procedures, forms, guidelines, manuals, directives, laws, etc., that apply to the contracting process at NYUSoM.
• Modifies and/or creates databases and complex spreadsheets.
• Customizes and/or composes letters on own initiative or in response to requests for information; actively educates departments and PIs as appropriate to ensure expeditious use of SPA systems.
• Assists, under the direction of the Director of SPA, with prioritizing SPA office activities (e.g., respond to inquiries using comprehensive knowledge of SPAs activities, policies and procedures).
• Assists with monitoring budget; alerts supervisor of discrepancies and resolves within guidelines; assists with preparing related reports as requested.
• Updates other departments and stakeholders of statuses and maintains such information within an accessible system for all contracts, grant agreements and other agreements in accordance with SPA procedures; manages delays by coordinating with departments as PI as appropriate.
• Obtains all required internal supporting documents for each agreement, including insurance, indemnification, compliance and internal approval documentation as required per the agreement and internal policy. Using knowledge of various processes of other departments, SPA guidelines, advice sought from supervisors, liaises with Principal Investigators, research coordinators, OSR, OIL, OCT and Development to resolve contract and contract-related issues (such as invoicing issues, study start-up delays, requests related to audits).
• Ensures timely processing of contracts and other award agreements for proper signature as well as all other aspects of agreement execution (e.g., coordinating with sponsoring agencies, collaborating institutions, PIs and departments to obtain the appropriate final documents, coordinate with investigators to make sure all appropriate signatures are obtained, and compile the agreement and all other contractual documentation for signature).
• Identifies and implements useful precedents for the agreement based on patterns established by previously reviewed contracts.
• Crafts persuasive arguments to influence external sponsors and collaborating institutions during negotiations.
• Drafts agreements leveraging existing templates based on circumstances of specific matters, using a familiarity with the templates, interaction with department, knowledge of existing laws and regulations to ensure that the NYUSoMs and the PIs interests are properly protected.
• Acts as principal liaison on agreement review, negotiation and processing between SPA and sponsoring agencies (including government, foundation and industry sponsors), collaborating institutions, PIs, OSR, OIL, OCT, Development, OLC, Insurance, Research Finance and other departments or offices and individuals involved in SPAs contract review and negotiation, all in accordance with SPAs guidelines and supervisor instruction; incorporates and reconciles conflicting advice, proposes appropriate solutions and harmonizes processes between conflicting departments when necessary.
• Provides legal review of, negotiates and processes industry-sponsored clinical trial agreements, foundation and government grants and contracts, peer institution memorandums and related agreements (e.g., marking up agreements based on templates, guidelines and training; and seeking advice and direction from SPA supervisor, OLC, and Insurance for situations independently identified as outside the scope of training or presenting risk to the institution) within prescribed timelines.

Minimum Qualifications:

To qualify you must have a Bachelors degree plus five or more years of related experience in research or contracts or a Juris Doctorate with one year of experience in research or contracts.

Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.

Understanding of common legal concepts and contractual terms.

Ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines.

Ability to work and make decisions independently.

Ability to execute faithfully institutional guidelines and directions.

Ability to work effectively with various stakeholders through listening and creative synthesis of conflicting positions to develop solutions.

Ability to summarize legal issues concisely.

Ability to use PC for analysis and correspondence. Proofreading and typing skills.
Preferred Qualifications:

Background involving two years of review and negotiation of academic or medical grants and contracts strongly preferred.
Juris Doctorate or Masters degree preferred.
Familiarity with relevant federal regulations and laws preferred.
Qualified candidates must be able to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization.

NYU Grossman School of Medicine provides its staff with far more than just a place to work. Rather, we are an institution you can be proud of, an institution where you'll feel good about devoting your time and your talents.

NYU Grossman School of Medicine is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruiting and employment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender dysphoria, national origin, age, religion, disability, military and veteran status, marital or parental status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other factor which cannot lawfully be used as a basis for an employment decision. We require applications to be completed online.
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