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Contract Manager, Office of Research Administration

Colorado School Of Mines
$96,400.00 - $107,200.00 / yr
paid holidays, retirement plan, remote work
United States, Colorado, Golden
Nov 18, 2024


Contract Manager, Office of Research Administration

Posting Number: JR104754
Location: Colorado

Engineering a world of possibilities
Colorado School of Mines Office of Research Administration is seeking an experienced Contract Manager to oversee a team of Contract Administrators support complex research initiatives across all STEM disciplines at Mines.

The Contract Manager is responsible for the management of research and other sponsored agreements through the Office of Research Administration (ORA) at Colorado School of Mines (School). This position is a key member of the Contract Administration unit and serves as a resource to faculty and a liaison for Mines and sponsoring research organizations. The Contract Manager is assigned their own academic departments and works directly with those faculty to complete all sponsored research requirements.

The Contract Manager leads the team of Contract Administrators by monitoring the schedule and development of sponsored research agreements for Mines. This position is responsible for maintaining an accurate database of research agreements which will be accessed by ORA and others on campus, including individual faculty members, department heads, deans and central administration.

This position may be eligible for hybrid or remote work opportunities in Colorado after a period of on-campus training.

Primary Responsibilities

Contract Team Manager
  • The Contract Manager will have direct supervision of the Contract Administration unit, 4-8 Full Time Employees, with the authority to hire, evaluate performance, and guide team culture.
  • Determine work prioritization by evaluating workloads, deadlines, complexity of the workload, School policy and staff resources.
  • Responsible for ensuring all contract information on the ORA website is accurate and current.
  • Resolves complex administrative or legal questions or issues that arise.
  • Responsible for creating and maintaining policies and procedures for the Contracting unit.
  • Remains knowledgeable about current federal regulations, pending changes, OMB Circulars, Federal Acquisition Regulations, state of Colorado regulations and school policy.
  • Assist in the maintenance of ORA's Research Management software and the School's financial system; specifically, with regards to contractual and legal information.
  • Develops contractual training material for ORA staff and campus.Contract and Grant Review and Negotiation (15%)
  • Identify issues and present solutions and approaches for resolution; develop creative solutions to complex contract issues
  • Review and analyze sponsored research agreements, both initial and modifications from external organizations to ensure they meet federal and state regulations.


Contract and Grant Management
  • Determine if changes to a research project require prior approval from the project's sponsor.
  • Submit and approve requests for no-cost time extensions, budget deviations, and pre-award spending based on sponsor requirements
  • Perform initial reviews on deficit spending requests (currently, At-Risk Spending Requests) to determine if the financial risk to Mines is acceptable under current policy and practices.
  • Responsible for initiating, negotiating and managing research subcontracts.


Communications, Training, and Data
  • Maintain communication with faculty to ensure all information for sponsored research agreement is outlined along with the process to negotiate the agreement.
  • Interpret and explain federal, state, and Mines regulations and policies to faculty and other Mines personnel to help them understand the contracting process and how the regulations apply to individual agreements.
  • Provide formal and informal training to faculty members and departmental staff regarding school policy and procedures and sponsoring agency rules and regulations in relation to negotiating and accepting a sponsored research agreement.
  • Upload all fully executed agreements, modifications, and sponsor prior approvals into the system.
  • Work with the data repository team to implement and maintain the software with regards to contracts unit


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in business, or other relevant degree program
  • 8 years research administration experience
  • 5 years team management experience
  • Working knowledge of or ability to navigate federal and state regulations.
  • Excellent communication skills (oral and written)
  • Problem solving and analytical skills.
  • Demonstrated consulting and customer service skills


Preferred Qualifications
  • Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree
  • Significant contract negotiation experience
  • Professional competency in application of government & federal regulations, including 2 CFR 200
  • Experience with data analysis
  • Thorough knowledge of federal regulations governing sponsored research


Salary and Benefits

$96,400 - $107,200 annually

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate's education, training and experience as well as the position's scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:
  • Flexible health and dental care plans
  • Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year - including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
  • Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
  • Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
  • Free RTD Ecopass


All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the on-campus Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more), equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center, and the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP). Coming soon is an on-campus daycare center. For more information about benefits at Mines, go to mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply

Applicants must:
  • Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)
  • Upload a resume or CV
  • Upload a cover letter


Application review will begin December 3, 2024. This posting will remain open until filled and may close without notice. For best consideration, apply by December 2, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. as applications received after that date may not be reviewed.

References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

Mines welcomes everyone to our team; in your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc).

It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities to promote diversity and inclusion at Mines. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful Completion of a Background Investigation is Required for this Position.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines' scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 38 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2023).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that's manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 "Very High Activity" research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size - roughly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students - also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, cultural awareness and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus - nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don't get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails - and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world's problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a diverse and inclusive community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines' commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequity or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting

Apply online at https://mines.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Mines_Careers/job/Colorado/Contract-Manager_JR104754

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