Summary:
The Lowcountry Center for Veterans Research (LCVR) has an opportunity for a Research Contracts & Budget Specialist. This position will be an integral member of the nonprofit’s administrative team. LCVR seeks an individual with a demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and manage projects with minimal supervision. The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills and exhibit attention to detail, necessary for constructive communication with PIs, VA legal counsel, and organizational leadership.
The Research Contracts & Budget Specialist is responsible for the development, negotiation, execution, and management of research-related budgets, contracts, and other sponsored research agreements supporting industry-sponsored, federally-funded, investigator-initiated, and cooperative research studies. This position serves as primary liaison between sponsors, contract research organizations (CROs), investigators, VA research staff, legal counsel, and organizational leadership to facilitate efficient study startup and ensure appropriate cost recovery for research activities.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Coordinate review and execution of Clinical Trial Agreements (CTAs), Confidentiality Disclosure Agreements (CDAs), Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), Study-Startup Agreements (SSUAs), Data Use Agreements (DUAs), and other research-related agreements.
- Reviews clinical trial protocols, schedules of events, and sponsor requirements to identify study-related cost.
- Track contracts, budgets, amendments, timelines, and related financial details to keep projects organized and accurate.
- Develop, review, and maintain study budgets based on contract terms, protocol and internal guidelines.
- Negotiate budgets with sponsors and CROs to ensure full recovery of institutional and departmental costs.
- Ensure contracts and budgets comply with institutional policies, sponsor requirements, and applicable regulations.
- Serve as a liaison among sponsors, CROs, investigators, study coordinators, finance personnel, legal counsel, and research administration offices.
- Ensure compliance with federal regulations, sponsor requirements, institutional policies, and applicable research standards.
- Strong customer service orientation with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with investigators, sponsors, research staff, and other stakeholders. Work directly with Specialty Team Advising Research (STAR) attorney to execute CDAs and CRADAs
- Demonstrates a customer-focused style of communication, problem solving, and collaboration.
- Conducts process improvement through evaluation of workflows, development of documentation, and communication with key stakeholders.
- Demonstrates responsibility for personal development by participating in continuing education offerings.
- Performs other related duties incidental to work described herein.
Supervision:
- Must be able to work independently in a remote environment while maintaining responsiveness and meeting established deadlines.
- Reports directly to Contracts and Budget Manager.
Performance Expectations:
- Maintain accurate contract and budget tracking records.
- Meet established turnaround times for contract and budget review.
- Demonstrate professional and timely communication with sponsors, investigators, and internal stakeholders.
- Manage multiple, concurrent projects while meeting established deadlines.
Qualifications and Hiring Criteria:
- Authorization to work in the US to apply for this job and are subject to a background/suitability investigation
- Requires communications, analytical, and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.
- 3+ years of experience in clinical research administration, sponsored programs administration, grants management, contract administration, or related field.
- Experience developing and negotiating clinical trials budgets preferred.
- Experience with industry-sponsored, NIH, DoD, or other federally funded research programs preferred.
- Ability to effectively organize priorities and manage multiple projects while maintaining accuracy and ensuring timely completion of deliverables.
Technical Skills:
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and Outlook
Pay: $34.00 - $39.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Remote
