Contracts & Grants Specialist

AIR’s Contracts, Grants, and Procurement (CGP) team seeks a Contract & Grants Specialist to provide end-to-end contract administration for a portfolio of contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, ensuring adherence to AIR policies, legal and regulatory requirements, and client provisions. This role advises operations and program staff and leadership on risk management, issue resolution, and interpreting terms in solicitations and awards, and interfaces regularly with both internal and external customers.

This position reports to a Senior Contracts Specialist. The position also monitors industry trends and customer relations and is involved in organization-wide initiatives to modernize and future ready in an evolving landscape to ensure AIR’s continued success. The ideal candidate is resourceful, enthusiastic about progress, pays exceptional attention to detail, and embraces diverse and demanding tasks with increasing levels of responsibility and autonomy.

This position offers flexibility to be fully remote within the United States (does not include U.S. territories) or to work in a hybrid capacity from AIR’s offices in Crystal City, VA or Chicago, IL with occasional travel required for meetings and training sessions. 

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Responsibilities: 
Essential job functions include but are not limited to- 

• Prepare and negotiate various contracts (including non-disclosure agreements, teaming agreements, subcontract agreements, consulting agreements, task orders, purchase orders, data use and sharing agreements, grants, cooperative agreements, master agreements, etc.) and other complex documentation in accordance with AIR policies and statutory/regulatory requirements.
• Analyze solicitation and award terms to assess risk, ensure compliance, and communicate obligations to internal teams.
• Coordinate and ensure award acceptance, setup, modification, and maintenance, ensuring data accuracy according to AIR standards.
• Serve as primary contracts & grants contact for assigned projects, advising on award terms, issue resolution, and administration.
• Monitor compliance with federal regulations (e.g., FAR, Uniform Guidance), client requirements, and internal controls.
• Collaborate with Program Finance and other units to support compliance, audits, financial reporting, and award monitoring.
• Advise staff and leadership on best practices, compliance, risks, and industry trends related to contracts and grants.
• Maintain positive relationships with stakeholders and clients to support AIR’s mission and effective award administration.
• Track key AIR rights and obligations, including data rights, intellectual property, liability, and indemnification.
• Respond promptly and professionally to questions and requests, demonstrating sound judgment.
• Support and develop business processes and systems for compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Contribute to training, guidance, and process improvement efforts.
• Participate in cross functional initiatives to improve efficiency, compliance, and customer service.
• Responsibilities may change or expand based on business needs.

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and/or other relevant certifications and at least 5 years of work experience.
• At least 5 years of progressively complex and relevant contracts work experience.
• Substantial knowledge of federal and client contracting regulations and policies.

Skills

• Strong, team‑oriented communicator skilled in engaging remote and geographically dispersed groups through clear, adaptive collaboration and a commitment to being a team player.
• Proven capacity to work independently and collaboratively, with strong skills in prioritizing objectives and meeting established timelines.
• Proven excellence in functional, analytical, critical thinking, organizational and problem-solving skills with a focus on attention to detail.
• Communicates persuasively and efficiently, supporting negotiation, collaboration, and departmental goals, and is able to identify and clearly articulate complex business concepts.
• Applies sound judgment, relevant experience, and professional presence to engage productively with internal and external stakeholders, addressing risk and project execution concerns and driving execution of business strategies.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 applications, including OneDrive, SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Adobe Acrobat Pro.
• Experience in leveraging AI tools to drive efficiency and informed decision-making is desired.

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law, including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braid, locks, and twists), creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition (e.g., cancer), sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, civil union status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information, or military or veteran status. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at [email protected] or call 202.403.5000.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example [email protected] is correct and [email protected] is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out to [email protected]. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams atftc.gov/scams.

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