Mississippi State University

Position Function:

Who we are:

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 Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration.

Where you fit:

Under the supervision of the Director of Contract Administration, the Contract Administration Manager 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 Manager supervises Contract Administrators and 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.

Salary Grade: 17

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides day to day operational oversight and managerial supervision to all areas of the operation. Supervises personnel, including work allocation, training, problem resolution, performance evaluation, and motivation.
• Supports end-to-end contract review process and associated workflows utilizing the MSU Bully Buy platform, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws, IHL and university policy, and existing contracts.
• Develop and deliver training programs for MSU staff on the implementation and use of the MSU Bully Buy platform, ensuring successful adoption, troubleshooting, and ongoing system proficiency across departments.
• 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:

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Five (5) years of relevant experience.
• Strong writing, negotiation, analytical, and organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree, Ph.D. or Juris Doctor.
• Substantive experience negotiating contracts in an industry, higher education, or governmental roles.
• Supervisory experience.
• Higher education experience.

Substitution for Education: Three years of experience may be substituted for a master’s degree.

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.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Physical Requirements: No unusual physical requirements. Requires limited lifting of files and records, and all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Complete the online application. Include 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.