Senior Manager – Sponsored Program Contracts, Agreements

University of Tennessee College of Arts & Sciences

Lead Research Contracts & Sponsored Programs at University of Tennessee Space Institute. Oversee pre-award and post-award functions and collaborate with faculty and legal teams.

Posted 6/16/2026full-timeTullahoma • Tennessee • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $85,000 - $100,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide leadership and oversight of all sponsored programs activities, including pre-award and post-award functions
Serve as UTSI’s Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) for proposal submission and certification
Lead negotiation and execution of complex sponsored research agreements, including federal, industry, and non-profit contracts
Interpret and negotiate contract terms, including FAR/DFAR clauses, intellectual property provisions, and sponsor-specific requirements
Analyze and assess contractual risk, identifying and resolving high-risk or non-compliant terms
Collaborate with UTRF and the Office of General Counsel on intellectual property and legal matters
Oversee subaward development, execution, and monitoring
Provide guidance and support to faculty on proposal development, compliance requirements, and contract terms
Supervise and mentor sponsored programs staff and ensure efficient workflow management
Ensure compliance with federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and University policies
Participate in institutional and system-wide research administration initiatives

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, administration, or a related field
Minimum of 6–8 years of experience in sponsored programs, research administration, or contract management
Demonstrated experience reviewing and negotiating contracts, grants, or sponsored agreements
Knowledge of federal regulations and sponsor requirements related to research administration
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
*Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.*
Master’s degree in a related field
Experience working in higher education or a research environment
Knowledge of federal contracting regulations (FAR/DFAR)
Experience working with intellectual property and UTRF-related processes
Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential
Supervisory or team leadership experience
Familiarity with systems such as Cayuse, Grants.gov, or Research.gov

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health insurance
401(k) matching
Flexible work hours
Paid time off
Professional development opportunities

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

contract negotiationcontract managementgrant managementrisk assessmentcompliance analysisproposal developmentfederal regulationssponsored research agreementsintellectual property managementresearch administration

Soft Skills

leadershipmentoringorganizational skillsanalytical skillsproblem-solving skillscommunication skillsworkflow managementtime managementcollaborationmultitasking

Certifications

Certified Research Administrator (CRA)