Contracts Officer II

The Opportunity :

UCF's Office of Research is seeking a Contracts Officer II to join our team! The Contracts Officer II is responsible for drafting, reviewing and negotiating sponsored contracts, other research-related agreements, and non-sponsored agreements for the UCF Research Foundation. This position requires advanced knowledge of Research Foundation and University policies and procedures, and state and federal regulations and law. This position will work independently, efficiently, and accurately, and will follow through on assignments with minimal direction.

Draft or review research-related contracts, and other agreements, funded and unfunded, such as research service and consulting, confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, data use, memorandum of understanding, master agreements and task orders, vendor agreements, and other agreements. Incorporate statements of work, budgets, invoicing terms, deliverable schedules, and other items specific to the Research Foundation. Conduct agreement negotiation with the other party and serve as the primary contact with the other party, University units, and principal investigator. Escalate non-standard contract terms, as needed, in accordance with approved escalation procedures.

Responsibilities :

Draft or review modifications to sponsored and non-sponsored agreements.

Conduct negotiation with the other party. Route for internal reviews, approvals, and signature as needed.

Coordinate agreement reviews University units to ensure compliance units are notified, or have approved proposed contract activities, as required, for human subjects protections, animal welfare, biosafety, environmental health and safety, export control, facility security, cybersecurity, data protection, conflict of interest, etc.

Incorporate edits as required to comply with applicable policies, laws and regulations.

Route revisions, as needed, for additional approvals. Route to obtain signatures of all parties.

Interpret and assess contractual language regarding issues such as intellectual property rights, confidentiality, liability, indemnification, risk, publishing rights, invoice and payment terms, governing law, and confirmation of sponsor's corporate registration, and negotiate terms compliant with University policies and state law.

Maintain proficiency in researching, reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting statutory and policy language, federal regulations such as FARs, DFARs, and CFRs, to ensure the application of appropriate terms for public educational institutions.

Determine appropriate flow-down provisions, as needed, from pass-through entities

Advise faculty, administrators and staff in interpretation and clarification of contract terms, appropriate business unit, sponsor requirements, policies related to sponsored and non-sponsored Research Foundation activities, and applicable regulations and laws, including restrictions and other pertinent information.

Serve as primary contact for investigators and college and department research administrators in all matters related to the drafting, review, interpretation, analysis, negotiation and execution of assigned research contracts and other agreements in support of the Research Foundation activities.

Provide notice to Research Foundation award management team for the establishment of new projects; ensure all documents and information are filled for new project establishment or modifications to existing projects.

Assist with training and support of new staff members. Assist with special initiatives and projects.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications :

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 2+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6) .

Preferred Qualifications :

2+ years of experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts with various types of entities, such as corporate entities, non-profit organizations, and international organizations.

Proven ability to influence and persuade during contract negotiations.

Prior experience in research administration or related academic support roles.

Familiarity with contract management systems, including the Huron Grants Suite and third-party.

Knowledge of and experience with University of Central Florida (UCF) policies and procedures is highly desirable.

The most successful candidates may possess the following qualities :

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across various disciplines.

Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team

Professional, positive, and customer-focused approach to work.

Special Instructions to the Applicants :

The anticipated salary range for this position is $64,518 - $85,000. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations.

Applicant must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer, as sponsorship is not available for this position.

This is a Contract and Grant (C&G) funded position. Employment is subject to availability of funding and may cease at the time funding for this employment is depleted.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you'll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You'll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you'll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you'll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks!UCF offers :

Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays

Retirement savings options

Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions

Education assistance

And more...For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide .

Dive into our Total Rewards Calculator to discover the diverse selection available to you, giving you a glimpse into the benefits that together shape your comprehensive rewards package at UCF.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF's expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Department

Office of Research - Operations

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday 8 : 00 am - 5 : 00 pm. Schedule may vary as required.

Type of Appointment

Regular

Expected Salary

$64,518.00 to Negotiable

Job Posting End Date

12-01-2025-12-00-AM

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email onac@ucf.edu .

For general application or posting questions, please email talent@ucf.edu .