Who we are:

At the nonprofit Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. Our employees are empowered to open minds, shape decisions and offer solutions. We encourage intellectual honesty, innovation, diversity, and mutual respect, and our analysis elevates the debate, wherever it takes place.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people. We strive to attract and cultivate a vibrant, creative, and diverse community. Our employees drive Urban’s mission through entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, effective communication, results-orientation, and relationship cultivation. Our success depends on engaging individuals who possess and value these attributes.

How you’ll contribute:

The Urban Institute’s Grants and Contracts Office is seeking a Contracts Administrator to join our team. Our office’s principal duties include providing compliance support over the entire award life cycle, from proposal review to negotiating contracts, grants and subcontracts to award closeout in support of research primarily funded by private foundations, and federal, state, and local governments. We provide management and oversight of Urban’s award portfolio to mitigate risk; ensure compliance with Urban policies and procedures and funder requirements; and support best practices in award management.

Responsibilities:

• Provide support over the entire award lifecycle; from pre-proposal to closeout, in administering contracts, grants, subgrants, subcontracts, and purchase orders.
• Review RFPs/RFAs to identify potential compliance issues that may affect the opportunity; review business and technical proposals for contractual, budgetary, organizational and compliance issues; work with Senior Contracts Administrators to execute awards and to provide solutions for contractual issues of medium complexity.
• With support from senior staff, negotiate award terms and conditions to advocate for Urban’s best interests including protecting Urban’s intellectual property and publication rights, as well as stewardship over Urban’s Funding Principles.
• Assess contract readiness, review sub award application files and choice of instrument, conduct budget reviews and cost/ price analysis, draft and negotiate subcontracts and subgrants.
• Advise on award implementation issues that have contractual or business-related implications, providing options and recommendations to successfully mitigate risk and resolve issues.
• Support effective award implementation by providing guidance, and interpreting terms and conditions.
• Work with senior GCO staff to assess and advise on project-specific procurement and subaward requirements, compliance concerns, and flow down provisions.

What you’ll bring:

The successful candidate will:

• Possess a Bachelor’s Degree and 2-4 years of progressive experience in awards management, subcontracting/procurement, and/or proposal development. Hands-on experience with and knowledge of US Federal requirements required (FAR, CFR/Uniform Guidance); experience with foundation funding strongly preferred.
• Demonstrate knowledge of common contract instruments, including Cost Reimbursement, Fixed, Price, Time and Materials, and Indefinite Delivery types.
• Display familiarity with proposal and award budgets, basic cost/price analysis, and reviewing supporting documentation.
• Exhibit proven negotiation skills, including the ability to make sound decisions and apply creative problem-solving capabilities
• Thrive working in a fast-paced environment maintaining details and multiple priorities by showing exemplary organizational and analytical skills
• Utilize diplomatic skills, including ability to effectively manage varied internal and external relationships, and maintain organizational confidentiality
• Exercise strong written and oral communication skills as well as solid computer skills; capable use of MS Office, particularly Excel and Word; experience with JAMISPrime and Salesforce, as well as with various funder databases a plus.

Remote work will be considered.

What you’ll experience:

Working in the Nation’s Capital, the epicenter of public policy among a network of policy experts, you can expect to have an impact on policy areas you care about and work with great colleagues who are smart, mission-driven, and collaborative. You will blend academic rigor with on-the-ground collaboration, be encouraged and supported to fulfill your potential through meaningful work that matters, and enjoy a welcoming workplace free from harassment, discrimination and intolerance.

In addition, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage. Competitive paid time off allowance, and eligibility to participate in a generous retirement savings plan and reimbursable commuting expense program.

The Urban Institute is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity without regard for race, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other protected status under applicable law.

The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans.