Senior Contracts Manager

Req

Job Title:

Senior Contracts Manager

City:
West Lafayette

Job Description:

Job Summary

As part of the Sponsored Program Services Contracting team, this position will work with the SPS Director of Contracting and SPS Contracting team to negotiate complex agreements, enhance the University's strategic partnerships with industrial and governmental entities, and lead a team of contract analysts in negotiation agreements and improving SPS Contracting's policies and efficiency. This position will ensure efficient and responsive customer service to University and external partners in support of the University's research mission.

The Senior Contracts Manager will direct the management of one of the Contract Analyst teams within SPS Contracting and will lead or contribute to cross-departmental task groups focused on improving policies and procedures. They will allocate resources and provide oversight of the negotiation of sponsored program related agreements to meet and exceed faculty expectations for services in support of research activities.

This position will work closely with other research related offices at the University, such as Pre-Award, Post Award, Office of Industry Partnership, Office of Technology Commercialization, Office of Legal Counsel, and Research Security and Export controls.

What We're Looking For:

* Bachelor's Degree

* Eight or more years of experience in project management, contract negotiation and/or paralegal services, including experience in negotiating contractual terms

* Other types of relevant experience (such as federal contracting, procurement contracts, project management, legal or financial administration) will be considered

* Consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of required education and related work experience

* Knowledge of Federal, State and University laws, regulations, policies and business practices applicable to contract issues

* Knowledge of intellectual property law

* Understanding of industry environment and industry needs in order to resolve their asymmetry with university culture and practices

* Excellent verbal/written communication, planning, problem-solving, organizational and customer service skills

* Ability to analyze, interpret and implement University policies and procedures

* Ability to influence and build working relationships among a diverse workforce at all levels

* Learning orientation to changing technology impacting business processes

* Ability to maintain a broad knowledge of Federal and State laws and regulations and University policies and business practices

* Ability to use creativity and strong initiative to identify which contract instrument applies to a variety of situations

* Ability to provide exceptional customer service to University and external customers

* Ability to maintain a positive attitude in a fast-paced environment

* Ability to evaluate and distribute incoming requests quickly and appropriately

* Ability to make administrative and procedural decisions on sensitive, confidential issues

* Personal computer and related software skills, e.g., word processing, spreadsheet, database, Internet, Windows OS, etc.

* Ability and willingness to work in a team with multifunctional experts

* Strong communication, critical thinking, and problem solving skills, with ability to take initiative

* Great time management and organizational skills

* Highly responsible, self-motivated, detail-oriented

* Ability to confidently interact with government and industry sponsors and represent the needs of the University and its research faculty

* Ability to foster a participative supervisory style that utilizes communication and teamwork to successfully guide the work of others

* Ability to make risk assessments based on limited information

* Ability to understand and apply foundational legal concepts

* Ability to analyze, interpret and implement law, University policies and procedures

* Ability to understand and apply budgeting and basic financial terms

* Ability to influence and build working relationships among a diverse workforce at all levels

* Ability to develop trust, communication and optimal working relationships, often in uncertain circumstances or environments

* Ability to work well under stress and with multiple priorities and deadlines

What Is Helpful:

* Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited law school

* Experience in university research administration or other university experience

* Previous supervision experience

What We Want You To Know:

* Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position

* A background check is required for employment in this position

* FLSA:
Exempt (Not eligible for overtime)

* Retirement Eligibility:
Defined Contribution Waiting Period

* Purdue University is an EO/EA University.

Apply now

Posting

Start Date:

1/22/26