Agreement Associate I, Research Management

About Us

As a not-for-profit organization, Mass General Brigham is committed to supporting patient care, research, teaching, and service to the community by leading innovation across our system. Founded by Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Mass General Brigham supports a complete continuum of care including community and specialty hospitals, a managed care organization, a physician network, community health centers, home care, and other health-related entities. Several of our hospitals are teaching affiliates of Harvard Medical School, and our system is a national leader in biomedical research.

We’re focused on a people-first culture for our system’s patients and our professional family. That’s why we provide our employees with more ways to achieve their potential. Mass General Brigham is committed to aligning our employees’ personal aspirations with projects that match their capabilities and creating a culture that empowers our managers to become trusted mentors. We support each member of our team to own their personal development—and we recognize success at every step.

Our employees use the Mass General Brigham values to govern decisions, actions, and behaviors. These values guide how we get our work done: Patients, Affordability, Accountability & Service Commitment, Decisiveness, Innovation & Thoughtful Risk; and how we treat each other: Diversity & Inclusion, Integrity & Respect, Learning, Continuous Improvement & Personal Growth, Teamwork & Collaboration.

Summary

The Agreement Associate is an active member of the MGB central Research Management office and works closely with contracts for research at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and other institutions within the MGB system. The Agreement Associate is committed to identifying and adhering to best practices in grants and contracts administration, while upholding the highest standards of integrity and fiduciary responsibility. The Agreement Associate will proactively address the demands of research grant administration by providing exceptional customer service to MGB’s distinguished research community and collaborators in their pioneering efforts in science and medicine.

With guidance from senior level staff, the Agreement Associate manages the contract needs for a portfolio of research departments. As a primary contact for departments, investigators, and sponsors regarding contractual issues, the Agreement Associate interprets the complex requirements associated with both incoming and outgoing research contracts, subcontracts, and foundation awards. Included in these responsibilities are reviewing and negotiating the terms and conditions for various types of incoming and outgoing contracts in accordance with internal policy and applicable law, and aiding Research Management and Hospital colleagues with the interpretation of terms and conditions throughout the lifecycle of an award. The Agreement Associate will act both independently and as a member of a dynamic group to achieve the goals of MGB Research Management. The volume and complexity of the work is commensurate with experience; and the opportunity exists to take on a greater and more in-depth workload with successful performance.

This position can be performed remotely in most U.S. states.

Role Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned portfolio of research departments and serve as the primary resource for all contract needs within the portfolio.
• Negotiate the terms and conditions of incoming research contracts, subcontracts, and research service agreements from federal and state agencies, foundations, and not-for-profit entities.
• Draft and negotiate the terms and conditions of outgoing subcontracts and clinical site agreements issued under research awards received from federal and state agencies, foundations, and not-for-profit entities.
• Prepare subsequent amendments and modifications outgoing subcontracts and review amendments to incoming agreements.
• Review contract terms and conditions at proposal submission time as needed.
• Identify any problematic language that may require negotiation and/or input from other MGB offices such as Innovation, Clinical Trials Office, Office of General Counsel, and other MGB entities as needed.
• Develop skills to manage large scale collaboration contracts as assigned.
• Support staff with ongoing administration of contract requirements; interpret and explain terms and conditions to internal staff, hospital departments, and sponsor representatives.
• Assist colleagues with the resolution of problems related to contract terms and conditions, compliance with sponsor and institutional policy, and any other contract related issues.
• Maintain active communication with investigators, department administrators and agency officials with regard to research contracts throughout the grant lifecycle.
• Assist with the training of team members such as the Contract Administrator(s) and Grant Administrator(s), as applicable.
• Responsible for timely contract execution, and appropriate escalation of stalled contract negotiation.
• Eligible for limited institutional signing authority after a minimum of one year – subject to management discretion.
• Initiate triage for agreements as necessary and work to ensure they reach the correct office/department.
• Ensure all electronic records are kept up to date with the most current documentation and information.
• Run reports to measure and manage workflow effectively and efficiently.
• Work with Senior Agreement Associate and/or Post-Award Manager on complex transactions and issues.
• Work on special projects for the Post-Award team or the Research Management office overall, as assigned.
• Assumes additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of three years professional experience in legal, contract administration, or related research administration position(s).
• An advanced legal degree (JD preferred) may be sufficient in lieu of some professional experience.

Skills, Abilities and Competencies

• Some familiarity with federal grant policies preferred but not required.
• Experience with contracting, preferably in research but not required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent problem solving skills.
• Strong verbal, quantitative, and interpersonal skills; attention to detail.
• Must possess ability to thrive in a busy, high-volume, and deadline driven work team environment that requires coordination of multiple activities and the judgment and flexibility to reprioritize tasks as needed.
• Requires independent and strong organization skills and customer service focus.

Mass General Brigham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives, and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under the law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment.