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Research Contract Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Clinical Trials Contracts Manager

New Brunswick, NJ · Remote

$91K - $121K/yr

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in clinical research contract review and ... Collaborate with General Counsel, Risk Management, Research Commercialization, finance, and other ...

Contract Manager

Mckinney, TX · On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

The Contract Manager is responsible for managing all phases of a contract lifecycle, from drafting ... Research contract/subcontract disputes, to determine responsibility and final resolution of the ...

Clinical Trials Contracts Manager

New Brunswick, NJ · On-site +1

$91K - $122K/yr

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in clinical research contract review and ... Collaborate with General Counsel, Risk Management, Research Commercialization, finance, and other ...

OR · On-site

The Research Contract Negotiator is responsible for reviewing, drafting, and negotiating research ... Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Preferred ...

Contract Manager (Remote)

$91K - $121K/yr

Manage the full contract lifecycle (intake, drafting, review, negotiation, execution, amendments ... Experience in working on market research contracts preferred * Knowledge of legal terminology and ...

Contract Manager (Remote)

Fort Washington, PA · Remote

$86K - $114K/yr

Manage the full contract lifecycle (intake, drafting, review, negotiation, execution, amendments ... Experience in working on market research contracts preferred * Knowledge of legal terminology and ...

Contract Manager

Woodland, CA · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

The Contract Manager is responsible for end-to-end contract lifecycle management, including ... This role partners with cross-functional stakeholders in Sales, Product Management, Research ...

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Research Contract Manager information

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$50K

$98.6K

$173.5K

How much do research contract manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for research contract manager in the United States is $98,569.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,000.00 and $114,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges a Research Contract Manager faces when negotiating agreements with external partners?

A Research Contract Manager frequently encounters challenges such as aligning the interests and expectations of multiple stakeholders, ensuring compliance with institutional and legal requirements, and negotiating terms related to intellectual property, publication rights, and confidentiality. Balancing the needs of researchers, sponsors, and legal teams can be complex, especially when timelines are tight or contract language is ambiguous. Effective communication, attention to detail, and negotiation skills are essential to overcoming these challenges and ensuring mutually beneficial agreements.

What is a Research Contract Manager?

A Research Contract Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing the creation, negotiation, and management of contracts related to research projects, often within universities, research institutions, or private organizations. They ensure all agreements comply with legal, ethical, and institutional guidelines, and protect the interests of the organization and its research partners. Their role involves working closely with researchers, legal teams, sponsors, and other stakeholders to facilitate smooth and compliant research collaborations. Research Contract Managers must have a strong understanding of contract law, intellectual property, and research regulations.

What is the difference between Research Contract Manager vs Research Project Coordinator?

AspectResearch Contract ManagerResearch Project Coordinator
Primary RoleManages contractual agreements and negotiations for research projectsCoordinates project activities, schedules, and resources
Required CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field; legal or contract training beneficialUsually holds a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline
Work EnvironmentOffice-based, often within research institutions or legal departmentsOffice or lab setting, supporting research teams
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in research institutions, universities, and biotech companiesUsed across research projects in academic and industry settings

The Research Contract Manager focuses on managing legal and contractual aspects of research projects, ensuring compliance and negotiations. In contrast, the Research Project Coordinator handles day-to-day project operations and logistics. Both roles are essential in research environments but serve different functions related to project management and legal oversight.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Research Contract Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research Contract Manager, you need a strong background in contract law, negotiation, and compliance, often supported by a degree in law, business, or a related field. Familiarity with contract management systems, legal research databases, and regulatory frameworks such as GDPR or HIPAA is important. Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication enable you to manage complex agreements and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. These skills are crucial to ensure compliant, timely, and beneficial research partnerships for your organization.
More about Research Contract Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Research Contract Manager jobs? Cities with the most Research Contract Manager job openings:
What states have the most Research Contract Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Research Contract Manager jobs include:
Infographic showing various Research Contract Manager job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,569 per year, or $47.4 per hour.
Manager, Research Contract Operations

Manager, Research Contract Operations

OneOncology

Nashville, TN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Manage a team of research contract operations analysts, providing coaching, setting performance expectations, and conducting feedback sessions.

  • Negotiate, draft, and manage contracts with pharmaceutical companies, vendors, research institutions, and other partners involved in oncology research.

  • Drive efficient research contracting processes and collaborate with cross-functional teams to reduce study activation timelines and ensure contract compliance.


OneOncology rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

OneOncology is positioning community oncologists to drive the future of medical care through a patient-centric, physician-driven, and technology-powered model to help improve the lives of everyone living with cancer and other diseases. Our team is bringing together leaders to the market place to help drive OneOncology's mission and vision.
Why join us? This is an exciting time to join OneOncology. Our values-driven culture reflects our startup enthusiasm supported by industry leaders in oncology, urology, technology, and finance. We are looking for talented and highly-motivated individuals who demonstrate a natural desire to improve and build new processes that support the meaningful work of independent physicians and the patients they serve.
Job Description:
The Manager, Research Contract Operations is a pivotal role on our Research Contract Operations team within the OneOncology legal team, responsible for managing the contractual aspects of OneOncology's centralized clinical research ("OneR"). This role involves close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that research contracts are executed efficiently, in compliance with regulatory standards, and align with the strategic goals of the organization.
Key Responsibilities:
• Manage a team of research contract operations analysts handling individual contract negotiations and management, providing ongoing coaching, setting clear performance expectations, and conducting routine feedback sessions to build negotiation expertise and professional capability across the team.
• Drive efficient research contracting processes to reduce study activation timelines.
• Collaborate closely with OneR's budgeting, regulatory, study activation, and other teams on any cross-functional matters and to ensure visibility on contract timelines.
• Act as an escalation point for complex contractual issues, providing resolution and decision-making support.
• Provide contract analysis and reporting to OneOncology Legal, identifying any variances and proposing corrective actions.
• Negotiate, draft, and manage contracts with pharmaceutical companies, vendors, research institutions, and other partners involved in oncology research.
• Ensure all contracts comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with research and compliance teams to address any contractual disputes or issues.
• Act as the primary liaison between the finance, legal, research, and other teams to collaborate on any cross-functional matters, ensure alignment on contractual matters, and provide visibility on contract timelines.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners, ensuring smooth contractual negotiations and partnerships.
• Identify opportunities to enhance contracting processes for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Implement best practices and innovative solutions to streamline financial and contractual workflows.
• Ensure all contractual activities adhere to relevant regulations, including FDA, NIH, and other governing bodies.
• Prepare and present executive-level reporting for executive stakeholders on key performance indicators including contract turnaround times, negotiation outcomes and wins, areas identified for
process improvement, and an ongoing assessment of risk across the upcoming contract pipeline.
• Stay updated on changes in regulations affecting oncology research contracts and educate team on any changes.
• Other duties as assigned to help drive our mission of improving the lives of everyone living with cancer.
Qualifications/Key Competencies:
• Bachelor's degree
• 7+ years of experience in clinical research or pharmaceutical industry contract management
• Strong understanding of oncology research and clinical trial processes.
• Proven negotiation skills with experience in contract management.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with experience managing and developing teams.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with a high degree of accuracy in managing contracts.
• Experience with contract lifecycle management, and the ability to leverage technology to streamline workflows, improve visibility across the research contracting portfolio, and drive team adoption of standardized processes
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