Contracts Manager (Manager, Research Partnerships) - Brookhaven National Laboratory

The Office of Research Partnerships and Technology Transfer (RPTT) connects people and organizations from the research and business communities with our Laboratory researchers.  Private industry research collaborations, federally sponsored research programs, commercializing Brookhaven Lab’s technology and supporting the growth of local technology-based businesses are all examples of how we fulfill our mission.
 

Within RPTT, the Research Partnerships Group (RP) manages the development, DOE approval, negotiation, administration, and closeout of agreements with non-DOE partners. These partnerships may begin with a sponsor’s research needs, a company’s science challenge or a Laboratory researcher’s new breakthrough.  In all cases, the RP Office is committed to facilitating collaboration between potential sponsors and researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
 

Reporting to the RPTT Director, the RP Manager is responsible for all phases of the development of strategic research partnerships, with a focus on negotiation with sponsors, as well as contributing significantly to a team working on the Laboratory’s new business development process and activities. The RP Manager plays a pivotal role in the laboratory’s growth agenda by working with diverse parties across the laboratory to make it as easy as possible for potential partners to interface with the laboratory.
 
The RP Manager will work with laboratory researchers and managers, the Department of Energy, and external sponsors to support the Laboratory's strategic research growth agenda through the timely creation and negotiation of effective sponsored partnership agreements. The scope of work includes the management of all phases of the Laboratory’s Strategic Partnerships Projects (SPP) process for both federal and non-federal sponsors, Agreements for Commercializing Technology (ACT), and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA). For Federal SPP projects, this includes supporting the grants submission, tracking, and reporting processes, including the coordination with the Laboratory’s Budget Office on financial reporting and tracking. For non-federal sponsors, the scope of work includes negotiating terms and conditions for SPP agreements with non-federal entities and CRADAs and securing appropriate legal and managerial reviews. The RP Manager will have overall responsibility for the Proposal Information Management System (PIMS) and will ensure that entries in PIMS receive an appropriate risk assessment and that risk elimination and mitigation measures are adopted by engaging the appropriate subject matter experts at the laboratory.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead/manage the Laboratory’s Research Partnerships (RP) team, having responsibility for all non-DOE research agreements.

• Continuously develop the knowledge and capabilities of the Research Partnerships staff.

• Develop and continuously improve status reporting systems to provide transparency to internal customers and DOE.

• Review and evaluate proposal submission requirements in grants and contract submission documents for alignment with the BNL mission and the DOE Orders, regulations, and policies.

• Structure, negotiate, approve, and administer research partnership agreements.

• Serve as primary interface with Department of Energy for RP operational matters.

• Develop reports, correspondence, and other written materials as required by the RPTT Director, BSA, DOE, and other sponsors.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• BA/BS degree in a related discipline i.e., Business, Law or Technology Management

•  Position requires 8 years in government contracting including 5 years of experience with contracting such as, but not limited to government contracting, commercial contracting, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and intellectual property in a government environment and at least a minimum of 4 years demonstrated management/leadership experience. This must include formal supervisory experience.

• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing a team of professionals.

• In-depth knowledge of similar organizations, services, activities, and work discipline; and a thorough understanding of management principles and practices as they apply an RP function.

• Understanding of government contracting, and government contracting regulation and policy development.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills and good interpersonal skills.

• Demonstrated ability to be detail-orientated and accurate, set priorities appropriately and work on multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to apply project management techniques and practices.

• Demonstrated successful negotiating and execution skills.

• Proficiency in MS Office software

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Three (3) years of experience in preparing, negotiating, and administering Department of Energy agreements (SPP, CRADA, ACT).

• Master’s degree or professional degree

• Experience working at a DOE National Laboratory.

• Familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and/or Department of Energy Acquisition Regulation (DEAR).

Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements:

• Ability to successfully work in and manage personnel in a fast-paced work environment.

OTHER INFORMATION:

• This is a hybrid work arrangement (mix of being on-site in Upton, NY and work from home).

• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

• Occasional travel will be required.

Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $137400 - 219600 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.