Senior/Lead Contract/Grant Administrator

Job Type:

Senior/Lead Contract/Grant Administrator

RAND seeks a Contract/Grant Administrator at a Senior or Lead level to join our Contract & Grant Services department.

• Under minimal supervision and guidance, the Senior/Lead Contract/Grant Administrator independently performs advanced to highly complex contract and grant administration activities including proposal submission, and negotiation, execution, and administration of RAND's sponsored research agreements. Employees at this level perform highly complex work to accomplish business goals and objectives.
• Assignments at this level require the use of independent judgment and initiative in resolving problems and making recommendations. This position may also provide training and direction over less experienced Contract/Grant Administrators and other support staff.

May perform any or all of the following duties:

• Review RFP's/RFQ's for contractual issues and provide input in support of proposal efforts, such as providing advice to RAND research and proposal development staff regarding proposal preparation and interpretation of sponsor requirements.
• Draft, coordinate, and execute proposal related non-financial agreements, such as nondisclosure, teaming, and data use agreement.
• As the authorized RAND representative, compliance review and submission of sponsored research proposals.

• Review contract and grant agreements to ensure that the terms and conditions are in accordance with RAND's policies and mission.
• Research and interpret Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARs), Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Uniform Guidance (UG), and other laws, regulations, rules, guidelines, and terms and conditions referenced in contracts and grants to determine if the organization can comply, engaging with legal team, IT security and other subject matter experts when necessary, and advise RAND management as to acceptability.
• As an independent contributor within CGS as an authorized negotiator, negotiate the terms and conditions of sponsor agreements of varying types (Grant, FFP, T&M, LH, CPFF, IDIQ, Task Orders, etc.) and related modifications. This includes the drafting and preparation of agreements of varying types in addition to the markup of external agreements, which requires a full understanding of legal concepts and contract law.
• Develop negotiation strategies and draft terms and conditions acceptable to RAND and RAND's sponsors, in accordance with RAND's policies, procedures, and mission.

• Monitor active projects for compliance with both sponsor and RAND requirements and prepare periodic status reports and change management notices as needed.
• Coordinate and manage post-award modification and change management requests.
• Collaborate with pricing, purchasing, accounting, finance, and operations staff and other administrative groups within RAND for resolution of contractual issues and disputes and to ensure compliance with contractual requirements.
• Maintain official contractual communications between RAND and its sponsors. Serve as primary interface with RAND sponsors on substantial and/or sensitive contractual/business matters.
• Assist with miscellaneous contractual matters such as copyrights and non-disclosure agreements and intellectual property matters.
• Provide advice and guidance to project leaders, project staff, and division leadership related to terms and conditions, schedules, and the accomplishment of contractual obligations.
• Advise management of contractual rights, obligations and risks and providing interpretation of terms and conditions.
• Monitor external publications for policy and legal developments issued by Federal Agencies pertaining to government contract and grant administration (Federal Register, COGR, SRA, OMB, etc.).

• Facilitate problem identification and resolution in a variety of pre and post award areas.
• Maintain cooperative working relationships with other offices within RAND and provide advice and assistance as needed.
• Acts as a resource and mentor for colleagues with less experience.
• Maintain and manage accurate electronic files and documentation.

Lead Contract/Grant Administrators may also:

• Champion Contract & Grant Services policy and procedure revision and improvement.
• Mentor, lead, and provide subject matter expertise to less experienced contract and grant administrators within the department and other stakeholders within RAND.

Qualifications

• Experience with Excel and Adobe Acrobat Professional.
• Experience with Workday and/or Salesforce a plus.
• Certification in Sponsored Research Administration or Contract Management a plus.
• Knowledge of various financial and non-financial agreements, and how they influence all aspects of project implementation, administration, and compliance.
• Ability to research, interpret, and communicate requirements to ensure RAND's rights and obligations are protected.
• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate with internal and external partners, remotely and in person.
• Ability to establish strategic and collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Ability tomanage a large volume of tasks and competing priorities in a reliable, efficient manner.
• Critical thinker who likes to help create solutions rather than wait for someone else to solve challenges.
• Strong communication skills -Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, sponsors and others.
• High level of attention to detail.

Education & years' experience for Senior Contract/Grant Administrator

• A bachelor's degree in a related discipline and 6 years of relevant experience is preferred.
• However, a combination of education and relevant experience may be substituted for a BS/BA degree where a High School Diploma or GED equivalent would be required along with 10 years of experience.

Education & years' experience for Lead Contract/Grant Administrator

• A bachelor's degree in a related discipline and 10 years of relevant experience is preferred.
• However, a combination of education and relevant experience may be substituted for a BS/BA degree where a High School Diploma or GED equivalent would be required along with 14 years of experience.

Location(s)

• Santa Monica, CA or Pittsburgh, PA or Washington, DC
• This position can have a hybred work arrangement.

Salary range: $88,000-$130,900

Senior Contract/Grant Administrator: $88,000-$130,900

Lead Contract/Grant Administrator: 102,800-$156,500

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate's work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity.The salary range includes base pay plus RAND's sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet