Award Negotiator Senior Award Negotiator
University Industry Demonstration Partnership, Urbana, IL, United States
Job Summary
This position may be a hybrid or remote role depending on unit needs. It is not eligible for work‑authorization sponsorship. The University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign, founded in 1867, seeks an Award Negotiator or Senior Award Negotiator to ensure Illinois researchers can confidently collaborate with government agencies, corporations, and international partners. The role involves negotiating contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and a range of research sponsorships while balancing sponsor expectations with university policies, compliance requirements, and academic freedom. Ideal candidates thrive on precision, nuance, and autonomy, and are ready to drive groundbreaking discoveries through smart negotiation.
Duties & Responsibilities
Award Negotiator
Negotiation Engagement and Advisement: Independently negotiate sponsored projects on behalf of the Board of Trustees, ensuring reasonable terms, compliance with laws, regulations, and university policies.
Draft contract terms that provide acceptable compromise while meeting all applicable legal and policy requirements.
Exercise authority to accept terms or determine the need for legal review or administrative approval.
Manage a large portfolio of agreements with a variety of international, corporate, non‑profit, federal and state sponsors.
Advise faculty, administrators, and program managers on complex negotiation issues related to regulatory compliance, intellectual property, publication rights, and liability.
Research, interpret, and apply relevant international, federal and state laws, regulations, and guidelines for compliance.
Apply university policies and procedures to specific agreement terms.
Identify compliance concerns in project statements of work and sponsor terms; engage with internal compliance units (OVCR, IRB, IACUC, IBC, Research Safety, Human Resources, Purchasing, General Counsel, Risk Management, Office of Technology Management).
Document, update, and maintain the internal research administration database system.
Assist in developing training, tools, and documentation to help staff, faculty, and department administrators manage sponsored awards and ensure compliance.
Contribute to office knowledge by attending conferences, webinars, and seeking professional development opportunities.
Perform overnight travel and other duties as assigned.
Senior Award Negotiator
Perform high‑level negotiation of contracts and awards, ensuring terms, compliance, and policy alignment.
Exercise authority to accept terms or identify the need for legal or administrative review.
Advises internal and external constituents as a subject‑matter expert on complex agreements.
Assist in developing policy, communications, training, and tools for sponsored program staff, faculty, and department administrators.
Primary liaison for onboarding new members of the Negotiation Team and for new‑hire training.
Develop and deliver presentations at SPaRC, NCURA, and other training opportunities.
Serve as resource and backup to the Assistant and Associate Directors of the Negotiation Team.
Continue to pursue professional development, attend conferences, and manage multiple tasks efficiently.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Master’s degree or JD preferred; Bachelor’s degree in legal studies, business law, business management, or closely related field (equivalent experience considered).
Two+ years of experience in a complex business, academic, or government environment for Award Negotiator; two+ years in research administration at a university for Senior Award Negotiator.
Demonstrated experience in contract negotiation and management.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree or JD with experience in sponsored program review, negotiation, and finalization within a university pre‑award research administration office.
Certification in research administration (CRA) or Illini CRA.
Experience presenting contract negotiation topics (Senior Award Negotiator).
Two years’ experience in sponsored program review and negotiation at a university (Senior Award Negotiator).
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Well‑developed organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple tasks, work under deadline pressure, and prioritize competing demands.
Outstanding customer service, highly developed communication, and presentation skills.
Autonomous decision‑making with minimal oversight.
Teamwork ability within an integrated team.
Willingness to learn new electronic systems and keep up with updates.
Knowledge of university sponsored program policies, and international, federal, and state Illinois regulations (preferred for Senior Award Negotiator).
Appointment Information
Position is a 100% full‑time Academic Professional, appointed on a 12‑month basis. Salary range: $70,000–$75,000 (Award Negotiator) and $72,000–$77,000 (Senior Award Negotiator). Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while considering internal equity.
Physical Demands
Standard office environment.
Benefits
Eligible for Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, and tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
Equal Opportunity / EEO Statement
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. The University is a Title VII, Civil Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (2008), Equal Pay Act, G.O.C. 602, and Executive Order 11246 employer. Applicants are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008). Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217‑333‑0885 or accessibility@illinois.edu.
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This position may be a hybrid or remote role depending on unit needs. It is not eligible for work‑authorization sponsorship. The University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign, founded in 1867, seeks an Award Negotiator or Senior Award Negotiator to ensure Illinois researchers can confidently collaborate with government agencies, corporations, and international partners. The role involves negotiating contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and a range of research sponsorships while balancing sponsor expectations with university policies, compliance requirements, and academic freedom. Ideal candidates thrive on precision, nuance, and autonomy, and are ready to drive groundbreaking discoveries through smart negotiation.
Duties & Responsibilities
Award Negotiator
Negotiation Engagement and Advisement: Independently negotiate sponsored projects on behalf of the Board of Trustees, ensuring reasonable terms, compliance with laws, regulations, and university policies.
Draft contract terms that provide acceptable compromise while meeting all applicable legal and policy requirements.
Exercise authority to accept terms or determine the need for legal review or administrative approval.
Manage a large portfolio of agreements with a variety of international, corporate, non‑profit, federal and state sponsors.
Advise faculty, administrators, and program managers on complex negotiation issues related to regulatory compliance, intellectual property, publication rights, and liability.
Research, interpret, and apply relevant international, federal and state laws, regulations, and guidelines for compliance.
Apply university policies and procedures to specific agreement terms.
Identify compliance concerns in project statements of work and sponsor terms; engage with internal compliance units (OVCR, IRB, IACUC, IBC, Research Safety, Human Resources, Purchasing, General Counsel, Risk Management, Office of Technology Management).
Document, update, and maintain the internal research administration database system.
Assist in developing training, tools, and documentation to help staff, faculty, and department administrators manage sponsored awards and ensure compliance.
Contribute to office knowledge by attending conferences, webinars, and seeking professional development opportunities.
Perform overnight travel and other duties as assigned.
Senior Award Negotiator
Perform high‑level negotiation of contracts and awards, ensuring terms, compliance, and policy alignment.
Exercise authority to accept terms or identify the need for legal or administrative review.
Advises internal and external constituents as a subject‑matter expert on complex agreements.
Assist in developing policy, communications, training, and tools for sponsored program staff, faculty, and department administrators.
Primary liaison for onboarding new members of the Negotiation Team and for new‑hire training.
Develop and deliver presentations at SPaRC, NCURA, and other training opportunities.
Serve as resource and backup to the Assistant and Associate Directors of the Negotiation Team.
Continue to pursue professional development, attend conferences, and manage multiple tasks efficiently.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Master’s degree or JD preferred; Bachelor’s degree in legal studies, business law, business management, or closely related field (equivalent experience considered).
Two+ years of experience in a complex business, academic, or government environment for Award Negotiator; two+ years in research administration at a university for Senior Award Negotiator.
Demonstrated experience in contract negotiation and management.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree or JD with experience in sponsored program review, negotiation, and finalization within a university pre‑award research administration office.
Certification in research administration (CRA) or Illini CRA.
Experience presenting contract negotiation topics (Senior Award Negotiator).
Two years’ experience in sponsored program review and negotiation at a university (Senior Award Negotiator).
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Well‑developed organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple tasks, work under deadline pressure, and prioritize competing demands.
Outstanding customer service, highly developed communication, and presentation skills.
Autonomous decision‑making with minimal oversight.
Teamwork ability within an integrated team.
Willingness to learn new electronic systems and keep up with updates.
Knowledge of university sponsored program policies, and international, federal, and state Illinois regulations (preferred for Senior Award Negotiator).
Appointment Information
Position is a 100% full‑time Academic Professional, appointed on a 12‑month basis. Salary range: $70,000–$75,000 (Award Negotiator) and $72,000–$77,000 (Senior Award Negotiator). Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while considering internal equity.
Physical Demands
Standard office environment.
Benefits
Eligible for Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, and tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
Equal Opportunity / EEO Statement
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. The University is a Title VII, Civil Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (2008), Equal Pay Act, G.O.C. 602, and Executive Order 11246 employer. Applicants are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008). Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217‑333‑0885 or accessibility@illinois.edu.
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