Contract Specialist

Please note: The Target Hire Date has been updated from 2/16/2026 to 3/9/2026.

The Contract Specialist is a key position that helps and supports procurement operations by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating mid-level and complex agreements that comply with institutional, state, and federal requirements. Working under the direction of a manager, this role helps to support the full contract life-cycle; ensures supplier and sub-consultant compliance; and maintains accurate documentation, including insurance records and licenses. The Contract Specialist works closely with internal managers and external suppliers to address contract-related inquiries, mitigate legal and financial risks, and ensure agreements effectively support organizational objectives. This position also contributes to process improvements and promotes best practices in contract administration and strategic sourcing.

When you join the Finance & Budget organization, you become part of a smart, driven team that thrives on solving complex challenges. We align our business practices with the university’s priorities and cultivate talented teams who find purpose in creating simpler, more effective systems that drive institutional success. Our focus is clear: developing our people, transforming our work, and elevating our role.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs.

• Draft, review, and support negotiation of contracts for goods and services for the university in compliance with institutional, state, and federal requirements under moderate guidance.
• Support the full contract life-cycle, including preparation, review, renewal, and termination activities to ensure optimal outcomes and regulatory compliance.
• Under moderate guidance, analyze contract terms, provisions, and regulatory requirements to identify and resolve legal, financial, and operational risks affecting university operations.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including legal, finance, procurement, and departmental teams, to develop contractual solutions supporting institutional goals.
• Serve as a point of contact with suppliers, vendors, and external partners to facilitate contract implementation and ensure deliverable expectations are met.
• Support supplier management and performance review processes to monitor compliance, resolve disputes, and contribute to continuous improvement in service delivery.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, Arizona Board of Regents codes, and procurement laws while maintaining accurate, audit-ready documentation and records.
• Recommend process improvements to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of contract management operations and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Support contract tracking and reporting activities by utilizing university contract management systems and related enterprise platforms to monitor key milestones, renewal dates, and compliance requirements.
• Provide support and informal guidance to stakeholders on contract administration procedures, templates, and university procurement policies to promote consistent application of contract management practices.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of public higher education procurement and contracting laws and regulations, including state statutes, administrative rules, and institutional policies.
• Knowledge of federal regulations governing sponsored research and grant-funded contracts, including Uniform Guidance and applicable agency requirements.
• Knowledge of complex contract types and agreements common at R1 institutions, such as research collaboration agreements, subawards, clinical trial agreements, technology and data use agreements, and high-value service contracts.
• Knowledge of competitive solicitation processes and exceptions applicable to research and specialized acquisitions.
• Knowledge of risk management, intellectual property, data security, export controls, and confidentiality requirements in a research environment.
• Knowledge of audit, transparency, and records retention requirements applicable to public research universities.
• Skill in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex and non-standard contracts with sponsors, vendors, research partners, and academic collaborators.
• Skill in interpreting and applying federal, state, and institutional requirements to research-related and operational procurements.
• Skill in collaborating with faculty, principal investigators, research administration, legal counsel, and compliance offices.
• Skill in analyzing risk and negotiating terms related to intellectual property, data ownership, publication rights, indemnification, and liability.
• Skill in managing multiple, high-value procurements and contract actions with competing deadlines and regulatory requirements.
• Skill in maintaining thorough documentation to support audits, sponsor reviews, and public records requests.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in complex, high-risk contracting situations while ensuring compliance with public-sector and sponsor requirements.
• Ability to balance academic research needs with statutory, regulatory, and institutional constraints.
• Ability to communicate complex contractual concepts clearly to faculty and researchers with varying levels of procurement expertise.
• Ability to identify and mitigate financial, legal, and compliance risks throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Ability to function effectively in a fast-paced, decentralized research environment.
• Ability to adapt to evolving research regulations, funding agency requirements, and institutional priorities.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.