Job Description

Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Research & Sponsored Programs

Job Summary

Position Overview
The Contracts Manager plays a key role in advancing research, teaching, service, and creative activity at Illinois State University. In this fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, you will support a wide range of sponsored projects by securing agreements. This position offers continuous learning and a strong foundation for career growth in research administration.

What You’ll Do
As a member of Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP), the Contracts Manager provides direct day-to-day contract service and is the primary contact for related inquiries. In this collaborative role, you will work with faculty, staff, and external partners to review, negotiate, and finalize agreements.

You will:

• Review, negotiate, and execute sponsored project agreements
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to assess terms and secure approvals
• Apply federal and state regulations and University policies to ensure compliance
• Independently analyze agreements and ensure consistent classification of compliance requirements
• Develop expertise in research administration, compliance, and contract negotiation

Why This Role Matters
Your work directly supports Illinois State University’s mission and research enterprise—helping bring innovative ideas to life while ensuring responsible stewardship of sponsored funds. You will also build a versatile, in-demand skill set that supports long-term career advancement.

Additional Information

RSP partners with faculty, staff, and the campus community to support their success in securing external funding for research, teaching, creative activity, and public service. RSP enables innovation through hands-on guidance, technical expertise, and a strong commitment to compliance.

University Benefit Highlights:

• Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
• Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
• Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
• Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
• Paid benefit time

For more University Benefit information: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/ 

Information regarding eligibility for participation in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program can be reviewed here https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/insurance/

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$65,000 - $72,000 annual

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's or equivalent degree in business administration, accounting, finance, economics, public administration, project management, or a field related to the position.
2. At least three years of successful contract or grants experience OR research administration experience, preferably in higher education, education, non-profit, or government setting, including at least one year of experience reviewing contractual language or terms and conditions.
3. Ability to:
   a. manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, accurately, and quickly, with supervision only needed on the most complex transactions.
   b. keep attention to detail simultaneously with attention to the larger component maintaining
   c. work in a deadline-driven environment
   d. make independent ethical, knowledge-based decisions and act with integrity
   e. produce accurate timely work products when working under pressure
   f. maintain confidentiality.
4. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Demonstrated knowledge of 2 CFR 200, and a general working knowledge of FAR and contract law.
2. Master's degree

Work Hours

Core Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

1. Remain at workstation for extended periods
2. Effectively communicate on a daily basis
3. Distinguish colors on a monitor
4. Move about in various locations across campus as needed to complete day-to-day work

Proposed Starting Date

September 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Cover Letter
Resume

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Optional Applicant Documents

Transcripts - See Special Instructions to Applicants for additional options
Certification of Retirement Annuity

Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Please fully complete the entire application including, but not limited to, the education and work history portions. Be specific on your work history, including employment dates (if part-time you must list the number of work hours) and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Please do not put "see resume" in the duties and responsibilities section of the work history. This will be considered an incomplete application and incomplete applications will not be considered.

College or university transcripts (may be unofficial) must be submitted prior to the application deadline to receive full consideration. Transcripts can either be uploaded with your application or submitted via the options listed below.

To be eligible for Veteran's Preference points on the exam, appropriate military service documentation such as a DD-214 must be submitted prior to the application deadline.

Transcripts and/or military service documentation may be emailed, faxed, or mailed to Human Resources by the application deadline:

Email: kgshelt@ilstu.edu 
Fax: 309.438.0011, Attn: Kira Shelton
Address: Illinois State University
Human Resources
Campus Box 1300
Normal, IL 61790-1300

The Civil Service examination for this classification is based on your application materials and responses to the supplemental questions. No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from applicants that qualify to take the exam. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score calculated based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register by exam score. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the department for interview. The active register for this classification will be voided when the position is filled.

Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois.

Residency Requirement: If hired, out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days from the start date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois driver’s license or a valid State of Illinois ID card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment.

Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.

Contact Information for Applicants

Kira Shelton
Human Resources
kgshelt@ilstu.edu 
(309) 438-2120

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.