Principal Contracts Officer

It's fun to work in a company where people truly believe in what they are doing! **Job Description:** ## **Job Summary** The Office of Research promotes excellence in research at Cal Poly, both basic and applied, as fundamental to the mission of the University and essential to California’s economic and civic vitality. The Office of Research is committed to enhancing these efforts by providing administrative and financial support for sponsored programs, including identification of funding opportunities, proposal submission, research compliance, and contracts and grant administration. The Office promotes the development and function of centers and institutes, essential core facilities, and emboldens innovation and economic development through strategic partnering and industry engagement initiatives. Cal Poly has a long tradition of interdisciplinary research that continues through the production of new knowledge and innovative solutions to society’s grand challenges. Working independently under the general supervision of the Assistant Vice President for Finance, the Principal Contracts Officer leads the negotiation of sponsored award agreements with federal, foundation, industry, foreign, and other sponsors, and unfunded research-related agreements to support and facilitate research at Cal Poly. The Principal Contracts Officer provides faculty, staff, and administrators guidance regarding the interpretation of agreement terms and conditions, develops and supports contracting business processes, and provides lead work direction. **Remote work is available for California residents.** ## **Duties and Responsibilities** The following examples illustrate typical work activities and are not meant to be all inclusive or restrictive: **Essential Job Functions** **Daily 90%** - Lead the contract negotiation team, systems, and business processes related to the negotiation and execution of research and related agreements. - Independently draft, review, and negotiate complex research related agreements, including research agreements, federal contracts, confidentiality agreements, data use agreements and material transfer agreements, that are consistent with internal policy and state and federal regulations. - Provide expert guidance on contractual matters and provide training to team members and the broader research community. - Manage the Contracts team, including performance evaluation, promotions, and professional development. - Develop and improve business processes, procedures, and policies to enhance the effectiveness of contract operations. - Support strategic research goals by recommending improvements, policies, and contract frameworks aligned with evolving regulatory and institutional requirements. - Prepare, analyze, and present complex contractual, operational, and strategic information to senior leadership, ensuring accurate tracking of agreements, monitoring performance metrics, and providing actionable insights to support strategic research initiatives. - Build and maintain relationships with faculty, administrators, central offices, and external sponsors to ensure effective service delivery and coordination. **Related Job Functions** **As Needed 10%** - Perform other job-related duties and special projects as assigned. - Maintain currency in the knowledge and skills necessary to facilitate industry-leading solutions. ## **Position Requirements:** - Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, law, or a related field and five years of progressively responsible experience in sponsored research administration, contracts management, or a closely related field, including at least two years of experience supervising professional staff. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. - A background check is required for all regular benefited positions. ## ## **Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:** - Thorough knowledge of sponsored research admi…