Research Support - Procurement/Contracts Specialist (Remote Opportunity)

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

 

About Research & Engagement
The UMass Amherst community engages more than 31,000 students, 1,400 faculty, and 5,000 staff in 11 schools and colleges with a wide variety of degree programs, research, and public service. More than 800 faculty lead sponsored research projects in many areas from basic to applied that are sponsored by federal, state, and private sources with expenditures of more than $240 million in 2023.

 

Job Summary

The Research Support Specialist (Procurement/UPST) serves as a critical resource within the Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement (VCRE) office, with specialized expertise in procurement and contract management. The Research Support Specialist proactively supports the procurement and contract needs of large-scale research awards, as well as addresses and resolves complex issues escalated by post-award support staff across the campus.

 

Essential Functions

• Anticipation and Support for New Large-Scale Awards
  • Collaborates with Principal Investigators (PIs), research administrators, and support staff to prepare for the procurement and contract demands of newly awarded, large-scale research projects.
  • Provides preemptive guidance on procurement strategies to ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor guidelines.
  • Acts as a liaison between the VCRE office and campus stakeholders to facilitate efficient set-up and early-stage management of major awards.
  • Develops forecasting tools and resource allocation plans to anticipate procurement needs and potential challenges for large-scale research projects.
• Incident Management and Resolution
  • Handles incidents and complex issues escalated from college-level post-award support staff, providing guidance and problem-solving expertise to resolve them efficiently.
  • Performs in-depth analysis of procurement, contracting, and compliance concerns related to ongoing research projects and implements corrective actions as needed.
  • Coordinates with relevant College and Department-level staff, as well as individual PIs, to ensure prompt resolution of escalated issues and facilitate communication between stakeholders.
• Expert Consultation and Support
  • Serves as a subject matter expert in procurement and contract management, offering guidance to staff across the campus on best practices and institutional policies.
  • Supports training initiatives and workshops for college-level post-award support staff to enhance campus-wide capabilities in research procurement and contract management.
  • Provides recommendations to the AVCRSS for process improvements, policy updates, and tools that enhance post-award support effectiveness.
• Compliance and Reporting
  • Ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies in all areas of procurement and contracting.
  • Collaborates with internal auditors and compliance officers to review and refine procedures.
  • Assists in preparing reports, data analyses, and presentations for senior leadership as needed.

 

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s degree (preferably in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field).
• Five (5) years of experience in procurement, contract management, or financial management within a higher education or research-intensive environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive mindset.
• Proven ability to manage complex procurement and contract scenarios.
• Expertise in federal and state grant regulations, institutional policies, and compliance.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in procurement software, contract management systems, and research management tools.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.