The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) appreciates your interest in employment. We ask that you keep in mind the following when completing your application:  

• Once you start the application process you cannot save your work. Please ensure you have all required attachment(s) available to complete your application before you begin the process.  
• Required attachments are listed below on the posting. Your application will not be considered without the required attachments.  
• Please note that applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment.

Once a recruitment has closed, applications will no longer be accepted.  If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact Human Resources at (702) 895-3504 or [email protected].

Job Description

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas invites applications for Contract Manager, Grants and Contracts, UNLV Office of Sponsored Programs [R0144646]

This position is in Las Vegas, Nevada in the Office of Sponsored Programs on the UNLV campus.

ROLE of the POSITION

The Contract Manager leads and assists in the review and negotiation of research contracts and grants (federal, state, nonprofit and industry), including master agreements, grant related agreements, consortium agreements, collaboration agreements, material transfer agreements, data transfer agreements, and assist with clinical trials agreements. This position will review subaward agreements and prepare FDP subawards as applicable.

This position will work directly with external sponsors, research administrators (RAs), and Financial Research Accountants (FRAs) and other outside parties involved in research. The Contract Manager will also work closely with internal faculty researchers, principal investigators, and administration with regard to research contracts. Additionally, the Contract Manager is responsible in assisting the Senior Contract Manager in the development and implementation of contract management tools, standardization, and developing processes as they relate to contracting with industry, government, and private sponsors for sponsored programs at UNLV.

Primary Job Duties

• Conducts initial review of proposed contract language for regulations and requirements applicable to assistance and acquisition including OMB Circulars/Uniform Guidance, Federal Acquisition Regulation, Code of Federal Regulations, sponsor specific policies, intellectual property policy, indemnification, Nevada state laws, conflict of interest requirements, publication rights, application of indirect cost rates and other complex concepts in research administration.
• Drafts, reviews and/or revises proposed grants, contracts and material transfer agreements, ensuring compliance with university policy/guidelines and legal requirements including export control.
• Works directly with sponsors to negotiate and resolve contract issues, and prepares contract documents for approval.
• Develop standard invoice for fixed price contracts for payment upon execution
• Meets with faculty to review and discuss contracts prior to fully executed agreements.
• Reviews subcontracts to other institutions and other entities so that the project work can be done and monitored for compliance efficiently.
• Must flow down provisions from prime award and conform to NSHE and audit related policies.
• Enters fully executed contracts into Workday for award set up.
• Provides faculty with trainings and information on contracts through virtual or in person workshops to ensure compliance updates are disseminated in a timely manner to the campus.
• Assists with contract issues that may arise with other research administration duties in Grants and Contracts.
• Complies with all Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) and University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) policies and standards.
• This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE

Required

• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant federal, state, and local regulations, non-profit sponsor policies, campus and system-wide policies and procedures, and terminology pertaining to extramural research in the context of a large institution of higher education with a teaching hospital. Expert knowledge and understanding of Uniform Guidance, FAR, agency supplemental clauses, patent and copyright laws, and Federal flow-through award terms.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience necessary to manage a high volume of contracts involving the most complex terms and conditions; international issues; multi-site collaborations; city, county, and state contracts; non-profit contracts; industry agreements; outgoing subcontracts; memoranda of understanding; master agreements; multi-party agreements; teaming agreements; incoming Material Transfer Agreements (MTA); Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA); facility access agreements; equipment loan agreements and visitor agreements.
• Working knowledge of general compliance concepts that guide relationships between University and Sponsors and Principal Investigators and Administrators; providing techniques to maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders; ability to create and implement internal control concepts and techniques; Knowledge of external and internal audit practices.
• Effectively deliver and assist with on-going training in a broad range of complex topics in the research administration field to the campus research community and OSP staff to enhance skills and provide guidance in successfully navigating processes, procedures, and policies.

SKILLS

Required

• Advanced skill and demonstrated experience to negotiate sponsored project agreements independently with an understanding of the consequences of acceptance or denial; identify key issues and propose alternative language that is acceptable to the parties; analyze and interpret all terms and conditions to protect the high priority interests of the University.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to deliver effective professional research administration expertise to all levels of faculty, staff, and non-University entities. Develop and maintain positive and effective interactions, demonstrating respect for the views of others; treat others with dignity and foster the values of diversity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated skill to apply, interpret, and implement complex policy, technical and legal concepts to a wide variety of situations, and to use mature judgment in resolving related issues and problems. Constituencies at all levels of management, with strong customer service orientation and skills.
• Excellent project management skills, including the ability to set project objectives, determine and address potential barriers; identify required resources, identify process steps and milestones; and adjust action plans to achieve desired outcomes and adhere to tight deadlines.
• Advanced skill to analyze existing policy and procedure to offer substantive recommendations for improved efficiencies in office-wide operations and improve overall service to the campus research community.

           

ABILITIES

Required

• Demonstrated ability to utilize expertise to effectively perform complex review and negotiations to benefit the university.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex information and formulate logical and objective conclusions.
• Exceptional written and oral skills to compose and deliver clear and concise communications to explain advanced concepts and procedures to individuals at various knowledge levels.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, using appropriate vocabulary considering the audience, for the purposes of influencing, informing, eliciting, counseling, persuading, mediating, negotiating in groups and one-on-one and to work collaboratively.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The successful candidate will demonstrate support for diversity, equity and inclusiveness as well as participate in maintaining a respectful, positive work environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university as recognized by the United States Department of Education and/or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and 5-7 years of experience in contract negotiations, sponsored programs, and/or Higher Education. Credentials must be obtained prior to the start date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Certified Research Administrator (CRA)

SALARY RANGE

Salary competitive with those at similarly situated institutions. Salary range $85,000 - $100,000, dependent on experience.

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT UNLV

• Generous compensation packages, up to 48 days of paid time off, sick leave, and holidays
• Excellent health insurance including medical, dental and vision
• No state income tax
• Comprehensive retirement plans and voluntary benefits programs
• Tuition discounts at Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) schools
• Tuition discounts for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents

PERKS

• Employee recognition and appreciation programs
• Connect with colleagues with shared interests
• Personal and professional development opportunities
• UNLV athletics ticket discounts
• Statewide employee purchase program discounts
• RebelCard discounts on and off campus
• Wellness programming for all UNLV faculty and staff at no cost
• A comprehensive onboarding program, Rebels: Onboard
• Opportunity for career advancements to leadership roles

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted. References will not be contacted until the search chair notifies you in advance.

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based.

Although this position will remain open until filled, review of candidates’ materials will begin on October 14th, 2024.

Materials should be addressed to Hallie Lyons, Search Committee Chair, and must be submitted through Workday, as we do not accept emailed materials. For assistance with the application process, please contact UNLV Human Resources at (702) 895-3504 or [email protected].

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTERNAL NSHE CANDIDATE

UNLV employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) MUST use the “Find Jobs” process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at UNLV and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Find Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site. Locate this specific job posting by typing the job requisition number, “R0144646” in the search box.

If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.

PROFILE of the UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1957, UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution comprised of approximately 30,000 students and more than 3,600 faculty and staff. To date, UNLV has conferred more than 152,000 degrees, producing more than 130,000 alumni around the world. UNLV is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as an R1 research university with very high research activity, and is a recipient of the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement. The university is committed to recruiting and retaining top students and faculty, educating the region's diversifying population and workforce, driving economic activity through increased research and community partnerships, and creating an academic health center for Southern Nevada that includes the launch of a new UNLV School of Medicine. UNLV is located on a 332-acre main campus and two satellite campuses in Southern Nevada.

Here at UNLV, we have come together and created one of the most affirmative and dynamic academic environments in the country. UNLV sits in the top spot in U.S. News & World Report's annual listing of the nation's most diverse universities for undergraduates. The university has ranked in the top ten since the rankings debuted more than a decade ago. We continue to show our commitment to serving our wonderfully diverse population and building the future for Las Vegas and Nevada.

For more information, visit us on line at: http://www.unlv.edu

EEO/AA STATEMENT

The University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV) is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). Discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including unlawful harassment, which is a form of discrimination, is illegal under federal and state law. Where unlawful discrimination is found to have occurred, UNLV will act to stop the unlawful discrimination, to prevent its recurrence, to remedy its effects, and to discipline those responsible.

TITLE IX STATEMENT

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates. Non-discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.) and the corresponding implementation regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106). The University’s commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: Michelle Sposito, J.D., Title IX Coordinator, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box 451062, Las Vegas, NV 89154-1062, Frank and Estella Beam Hall (BEH) Room 553, Telephone: (702) 895-4055; Email: [email protected], or to The Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100; Telephone: 1-800-421-3481 FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 1-800-877-8339; Email: [email protected]; or to both. 

Information pertaining to the University’s grievance procedures and grievance process, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the University will respond can be found online at the Office of Equal Employment & Title IX webpage.

SAFETY AND SECURITY STATEMENT

UNLV is committed to assisting all members of the UNLV community in providing for their own safety and security. The Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report compliance document is available online.

JOB CATEOGRY

Administrative Faculty

Exempt

Yes

Full-Time Equivalent

100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

Posting Close Date

06/30/2025

Note to Applicant

This position may require that a criminal background check be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.  

HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified,  HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member’s first day of employment. 

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.  

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.  

For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment.  

All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements (if a closing date is provided).

Recruitments that provide a work schedule are subject to change based on organizational needs.