Position Function:
The Contract Administrator administers and reviews contracts from a business perspective; verifies contract financial projections analyses; ensures compliance with MSU policies and procedures; and conducts contract activity assessments. The Administrator implements negotiation strategy and may lead negotiation teams on contractual issues; implements standards for contracts including required and desired provisions; performs post-contract administration activities, including tracking major provisions, ensuring both internal MSU and vendor compliance, tracking expiration and renewal dates, and monitoring contract costs. Rankings and qualifications within levels (I, II, III, Senior) are based on education and experience.
Salary Grade: Level I: 14, II: 14, III: 15, Senior: 16
Please see Staff Compensation Structure for salary ranges.
Department Profile:
Mississippi State University is a public research, land-grant university with a mission to provide access and opportunity to all sectors of Mississippi’s diverse population. To enable this mission, every year MSU enters thousands of contracts for a variety of activities, including outside services and supplies, facilities use, construction, copyright, and research. MSU’s Office of Contract Administration supports contracting functions, providing centralized contract review and management services including: coordinating contract requests, advising on contractual matters, negotiating and drafting contracts, performing appropriate review of contracts to optimize legal and business terms, reviewing contracts for compliance with applicable laws/policies, and facilitating timely renewal or termination of contracts to meet internal policies and external regulations.
Contract Administration works closely with the University’s Procurement Services department and reports jointly to both the Office of General Counsel and the Vice President for Finance and Administration.
Area of Specialization:
Contract Administration
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Supports end-to-end contract review process and associated workflows utilizing the MSU BullyBuy platform, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws, IHL and university policy, and existing contracts.
• Works independently on a wide range of complex and novel issues, with a particular focus on contracting.
• Communicates with all levels of the organization and external contacts about contract negotiation, implementation, and management.
• Provides excellent customer service to develop trust, respect, and cooperation across all areas of an organization and staff levels.
• Helps maintain and support a client-centered, business-oriented, collegial approach to representing a land grant public research institution and promotes a culture of ethics, integrity, and compliance.
Minimum Qualifications:
Contract Administrator I: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. One year of relevant experience.
Contract Administrator II: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. Three years of relevant experience. For promotions, must meet degree requirement and experience must include at least two years at the preceding level.
Contract Administrator III: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. Five years of relevant experience. For promotions, must meet degree requirement and experience must include at least two years at the preceding level.
Senior Contract Administrator: Master’s Degree, Ph.D., or Juris Doctor Five years of relevant experience. For promotions, must meet degree requirement and experience must include at least two years at the preceding level.
Substitutions allowed: Two additional years of experience may be substituted for a master’s degree for the position of Senior Contract Administrator
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Broad knowledge and thorough understanding of contract management and the legal aspects of contracting.
• Ability to interpret and negotiate contracts on behalf of the University in conjunction with applicable laws, University policies, and best practices.
• Ability to identify issues regarding insurance, indemnity, and dispute resolution and recommend acceptable solutions that align with the University’s position and goals.
• Ability to effectively manage the collaborative review process with other campus stakeholders through completion.
• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization and external contacts
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Apply online with a resume and cover letter.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
