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Research Contract Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Contract Manager, reporting to the Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, is ... Collaborate with representatives from contract research organizations (CROs) on clinical trial ...

Contract Manager

Monroe, NC · On-site

$82K - $110K/yr

Contract Manager ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems, Pedestrian Door Solutions Join the industry leader in ... Research skills. * Organizational skills. * Strong communication skills (oral & written) are a must.

Contract Manager

Painted Post, NY · On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

Information Technology (IT), Clinical Research, Rehabilitation Therapy and Nursing. Position: Contract Manager Duration: 1 Year Location: Painted post, NY Direct client: Immediate interview Job ...

Contract Manager

Austin, TX

$88K - $118K/yr

The Contract Manager serves as the senior-most on-site leadership role responsible for supporting ... researched data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and ...

Contract Manager

Monroe, NC · On-site +1

$82K - $110K/yr

Contract Manager ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems, Pedestrian Door Solutions Join the industry leader in ... Research skills. * Organizational skills. * Strong communication skills (oral & written) are a must.

... will manage the preparation, negotiation, execution, and distribution of member contracts that ... Act as Privacy and Compliance Team liaison for the Strategic Growth Domain by researching and ...

Contract Manager

Cincinnati, OH

$85K - $114K/yr

End-to-end management of the clinical trial agreement (CTA) process for global, multi-site clinical ... Travel : minimal Medpace Overview Medpace is a full-service clinical contract research organization ...

Contract Manager (Hybrid)

Mckinney, TX · On-site

$82K - $110K/yr

In collaboration with the Director of Contract Management, facilitate the competitive bid process to include market research, design bid requirements and decision scorecards (with input for business ...

... will manage the preparation, negotiation, execution, and distribution of member contracts that ... Act as Privacy and Compliance Team liaison for the Strategic Growth Domain by researching and ...

Contract Manager

Kennesaw, GA · On-site +1

$82K - $110K/yr

This includes contract terms and conditions, products and prices for various market segments and ... Ability to research and analyze payer industry information. * Must be well-organized and be able in ...

Contract Manager (Hybrid)

Mckinney, TX · On-site

$82K - $110K/yr

In collaboration with the Director of Contract Management, facilitate the competitive bid process to include market research, design bid requirements and decision scorecards (with input for business ...

Contract Manager

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

$85K - $114K/yr

End-to-end management of the clinical trial agreement (CTA) process for global, multi-site clinical ... Travel : minimal Medpace Overview Medpace is a full-service clinical contract research organization ...

Contract Manager (Hybrid)

Mckinney, TX · Hybrid

$82K - $110K/yr

In collaboration with the Director of Contract Management, facilitate the competitive bid process to include market research, design bid requirements and decision scorecards (with input for business ...

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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 30, 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.
Contract Manager

$122K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

About Artiva:
We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies. Our mission is to develop effective, safe, and accessible cell therapies for patients with devastating autoimmune diseases. We aim to develop therapies that patients and physicians can utilize in a community setting. Our lead product candidate, AlloNK®, is a non-genetically modified, cryopreserved NK cell therapy being evaluated in combination with B-cell targeted monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). We believe the compelling cell killing properties of NK cells, when combined with mAbs for targeting, creates an opportunity to generate potentially transformative therapies.
For more information, visit www.artivabio.com.
Job Summary:
The Contract Manager, reporting to the Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, is responsible for managing all aspects of Artiva's contract activities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in both commercial contracts and clinical trial agreements with development-stage biotechnology companies, as well as experience or interest in other areas of legal operations.
Duties/Responsibilities:
  • Lead the preparation, review, negotiation, and execution of a range of contracts (including but not limited to master services agreements, statements of work, consulting agreements, and amendments), ensuring key terms are clearly defined, accurately tracked, and aligned with playbooks, Company policies, regulatory requirements, and business objectives.
  • Serve as a primary point of contact and a partner for business users to provide guidance on the contract process and support the timely intake, negotiation, execution, and administration of contracts, ensuring appropriate communication throughout and coordination with Finance and Procurement.
  • Independently manage contract workflows, ensuring contracts progress efficiently through intake, review, negotiation, execution, and tracking of obligations.
  • Collaborate with representatives from contract research organizations (CROs) on clinical trial agreements (CTAs) and amendments with clinical trial sites, including development of CTA templates and playbooks, review and negotiation of CTAs, and identification and escalation of issues.
  • Identify contractual, operational, or compliance risks and escalate appropriately, providing clear issue framing and recommended paths forward.
  • Coordinate execution of agreements, including routing for signature, maintaining accurate records, and facilitating distribution of fully executed documents.
  • Co-lead the selection and implementation of a contract lifecycle management (CLM) tool, including collaborating with internal stakeholders across functions to identify and address requirements; manage the CLM tool once implemented and train business partners on use of the CLM tool.
  • Support the Company's data privacy compliance program.
  • Assist with other aspects of legal and compliance operations, depending on the Company's needs and the candidate's areas of experience and interest.

Requirements:
  • Paralegal certification or J.D. degree.
  • Minimum of 5 years of recent experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences industry.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and third parties.
  • Experience managing high-volume contract workflows, with the ability to prioritize, track, and drive contracts to execution in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
  • Proficiency with Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) tools including contract intake, workflow management, and reporting.
  • Strong understanding of GxP/GMP environments and the role of contracts in supporting clinical, manufacturing, quality, and regulatory compliance.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, adapt to changing priorities, and reach practical, business-aligned outcomes.

In addition to a great culture, we offer:
  • A beautiful facility
  • An entrepreneurial, highly collaborative, and innovative environment
  • Comprehensive benefits, including:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision
  • Group Life Insurance
  • Long Term Disability (LTD)
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Company paid holidays, including the year-end holiday week
  • Our recognition program, Bonus.ly, is where you can trade in points earned for things you want.

If all this speaks to you, come join us on our journey!
Base Salary: $122,000 - $145,000. Exact compensation may vary based on level, skills and experience