Contract Officer

Job Summary/Company: Sparks Group, partnered with a well-known education institution, is in search of an experienced professional to manage the drafting, review, and negotiation of specialized research agreements and legal documents. This role serves as a vital bridge between academic researchers, institutional departments, and external sponsors, ensuring that all negotiated terms balance institutional interests while complying with federal and organizational mandates. 


Responsibilities:

• Manage full-cycle contract negotiation, drafting and finalizing various agreements (such as MTAs, NDAs, and data use instruments) using standard organizational templates.
• Conduct rigorous risk analyses of complex contractual provisions, including intellectual property rights, indemnification, liability, and export control regulations.
• Lead diplomatic discussions with external entities to resolve diverging positions, collaborating closely with principal investigators and internal stakeholders.
• Exercise delegated signatory authority to officially accept and execute compliant contracts.
• Coordinate cross-functional reviews by soliciting input from specialized administrative units such as information security, export controls, and general counsel.
• Advise researchers on unusual terms and maintain transparent tracking of all agreements through to final execution.
• Contribute to departmental training initiatives and maintain up-to-date knowledge of research administration standards via professional development.

Qualifications/Background Profile:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or an equivalent combination of education and direct professional experience.
• Proven background in transactional legal work, including drafting, redlining, and negotiating complex contracts and agreements.
• U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident Status, required for handling federally regulated, export-controlled information.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of maintaining positive relationships with external partners and internal stakeholders.
• Preferred qualifications include a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree, Certification in Research Administration (CRA), and familiarity with research administration or sponsored project systems.

 

This role is 100% remote, open to candidates located in the following states: Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia (DC), North Carolina, Massachusetts, Florida, Texas, Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Mississippi, Arizona, Indiana, Idaho.

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This job is Fully Remote.

Pay Range: Hourly $34.00 to $42.00

We offer several comprehensive benefits package including health and life insurance, paid and unpaid time off, and retirement and savings plans to qualifying employees.

Download the Sparks Group mobile app from Apple App Store or Google Play.

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Sparks Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship, family status, genetic information, disability, or protect veteran status.