Advertising Summary: 

Department Summary: At the VCU Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, our mission is to foster transformative research, discovery, and innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University through excellence in service.

We partner with faculty in all schools and departments as they seek funding, plan studies, establish collaborations, calculate budgets, submit grant applications, negotiate industry contracts, and secure patents and licensing agreements.

Our commitment to supporting and elevating the research community at VCU has resulted in record levels of sponsored research and has placed VCU among the nation’s premier public research universities.

Through our passion for discovery and willingness to take on challenges, we continue to advance the work that matters most and position the university as a national leader in research, innovation, creativity, and scholarship.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Senior Contract Reviewer provides advanced-level expertise in the review, drafting, negotiation, and execution of complex clinical and non-clinical research agreements, including complex industry-sponsored contracts, master agreements, collaboration agreements and externally supported clinical trial agreements.

This position exercises a high level of independent judgment and serves as a primary institutional contracting resource, independently resolving complex contractual, regulatory, and operational issues that impact research compliance, study activation, and continuity.

The role ensures agreement compliance with University policies, applicable federal and state regulations, and sponsor requirements, while mitigating institutional risk and supporting VCU’s strategic research mission.

Contract Negotiation

Lead the review, drafting, and negotiation of high-complexity research agreements, including master agreements, collaboration agreements, clinical trial agreements, and multi-party subcontracts. Serve as the lead contract reviewer for the Red Team supporting Massey Cancer Center, independently resolve complex contractual issues, identifying unacceptable or high-risk terms, and proposing appropriate alternative language.

Ensure all agreements align with university policies, applicable federal and state laws, and sponsor requirements. High-risk contractual issues are appropriately identified, escalated when necessary, and resolved through the consistent application of sound professional judgment and best practices. Contracting activities support timely study activation, research continuity, and strong sponsor relationships while mitigating institutional risk.

Research Administration and Compliance

Review and oversee internal documentation, budget submissions, and contract exhibits to ensure consistency with sponsor requirements and University policies, including F&A rates, conflict of interest (COI), human subjects’ protections, and AAHRPP standards. Interpret and apply federal, state, and local regulatory frameworks governing externally supported clinical research and clinical trials. Serve as a subject matter expert on regulatory requirements, sponsor guidelines, and institutional policies, providing guidance to faculty and research staff regarding compliance and contractual obligations. Ensure agreements meet institutional legal, financial, and ethical standards prior to execution and are accurately documented in university systems. Review departmental and School of Medicine Budget Office and Massey Cancer Center submissions for new awards and supplements to confirm accuracy, policy alignment, and consistency with approved proposals and contracts.

Strategic Guidance and Stakeholder Engagement

Provide expert guidance to faculty, sponsors, and internal stakeholders regarding contract terms, regulatory requirements, and institutional policies. Serve as a primary institutional contracting liaison for high-priority units and participate in study activation and planning discussions to resolve complex contracting issues.

Collaborate with internal partners, including VCU Innovation Gateway, the Office of Research Integrity and Ethics, the Office of Research Subjects Protection, Export Control, and VCUHS stakeholders, as applicable, to ensure coordinated, efficient, and compliant research activation. Represent the Division of Sponsored Programs in discussions with external sponsors, contract research organizations, and partner institutions as applicable.

Mentorship and Quality Assurance

Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and quality assurance support to junior contract reviewers and research administration staff. Review work products to ensure consistency with institutional standards, contract checklists, and best practices.

Identify training needs related to industry-supported research and clinical trial contracting. Support training programs, workshops, and guidance materials for faculty, staff, and research administrators to strengthen institutional contracting capacity and promote continuous learning.

Other Duties as Assigned

Additional responsibilities may be assigned to support operational needs within the Division of Sponsored Programs, including special projects, process improvements, and cross-functional collaboration initiatives.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Only applicants who do not require current or future sponsorship for employment will be considered

• Proven ability to analyze, interpret, and apply regulatory and contractual requirements, including University policies, sponsor requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with demonstrated attention to detail.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to provide high quality customer service to a diverse population.
• Ability to manage multiple complex tasks in a fast-paced environment and exercise sound judgment with minimal supervision.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and extensive experience.
• Experience: 3–5 years of progressive professional experience in research administration, specifically focused on the drafting and negotiation of complex contracts.
• Technical Proficiency: Systems Knowledge: Advanced experience with the Research Administration Management System (RAMS-SPOT) or a comparable sponsored program electronic database.
• Core Competencies: Exceptional organizational, analytical, and creative problem-solving skills with a proven ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and executing research agreements and clinical trial contracts with for profit, nonprofit, and federal flow through sponsors. 
• Working knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards as they relate to the conduct of clinical trials, including contractual obligations governing subject protection, data integrity, monitoring, reporting requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating complex or standard clinical trial agreements, Strategic Partnership Agreements Master Agreements, industry sponsored research contracts or collaboration agreements, strategic partnership agreements.
• Experience serving as a lead reviewer or subject matter expert within a research contracting or sponsored programs office.
• Experience collaborating with units such as clinical trials offices, technology transfer, research integrity, or human subject’s protection programs.
• Experience developing or delivering training, educational programs, or guidance materials for faculty, staff, or research administrators.
• Advanced Degree: Juris Doctor (JD), MBA, or Master’s degree in a related field.
• Professional Certification: MAGI
• Institutional Expertise: Deep familiarity with VCU-specific systems (RAMS-SPOT) and internal policies regarding F&A rates, COI, and knowledge of AAHRPP compliance.
• Leadership: Experience mentoring staff and leading others.

Salary Range: 73,600 - 85,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Unit: Office of the Vice President for Research & Innovation

Department: Division of Sponsorsed Programs - Industry/Clinical Trials

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Remote

University Job Title: 25234N - Sr Specialist LG 1 - OPEN