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Contracts Administrator (Grants and Contracts Office)

Urban Institute

Urban Institute

Washington, DC, USA
USD 74,050-107,400 / year
Posted on Aug 29, 2025

About Urban Institute:

The Urban Institute is a research-to-impact institution founded on one simple idea: To improve lives and strengthen communities, we need practices and policies that work. From advancing well-being to fostering shared prosperity, leaders across sectors are working every day to create brighter futures for all people and communities. For more than 50 years, Urban has delivered evidence and solutions that drive meaningful change, and this remains our charge today.

Our Mission

To drive impact by equipping changemakers with evidence and solutions.

Our Values
Collaboration, Fairness Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity

For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.

The Opportunity:

The Urban Institute’s Grants and Contracts Office (GCO) is seeking a Contracts Administrator (Step 3/Grants & Contracts) to join our team. Our office’s principal duties include providing compliance support over the entire award life cycle, from proposal review to negotiating contracts, grants and subcontracts to award closeout in support of research primarily funded by private foundations, and federal, state, and local governments. We provide management and oversight of Urban’s award portfolio to mitigate risk; ensure compliance with Urban policies and procedures and funder requirements; and support best practices in award management.

What You’ll Do:

  • Provide support over the entire award lifecycle, from pre-proposal to closeout, in administering contracts, grants, subgrants, subcontracts, and purchase orders.

  • Review Requests for Proposals (RFPs)/Requests for Applications (RFAs) to identify potential compliance issues and areas of significant risk; review business and technical proposals to ensure compliance with RFP/RFA terms and conditions; provide guidance and advice to proposal teams throughout the proposal process.

  • With support from senior GCO staff, negotiate award terms and conditions to advocate for Urban's best interests including protecting Urban's intellectual property and publication rights, as well as stewardship over Urban's Funding Principles.

  • Work with Senior Contracts Administrators and Senior Managers to execute awards and to provide solutions for contractual issues.

  • Support effective award implementation by interpreting terms and conditions, advising on award implementation issues that have contractual or business-related implications, and providing options and recommendations to successfully mitigate risk and resolve issues.

  • Work with senior GCO staff to assess and advise on project-specific procurement and subaward requirements, compliance concerns, and flow down provisions.

  • Collaborate with other internal departments, including but not limited to Program Operations, Development, Finance, Controller, Technology and Data Science, Communications, and Human Resources, to ensure seamless award lifecycle management.

  • Create and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders, as well as external stakeholders as required.

  • Assist with award close out activities and ad hoc requests, as required.

  • DC-based candidates are preferred.

Who You Are:

The successful candidate will:

  • Possess a Bachelor’s Degree and 2-4 years of progressive experience in awards management, subcontracting/procurement, and/or proposal development. Hands-on experience with and knowledge of US Federal requirements required (FAR, CFR/Uniform Guidance); experience with foundation funding strongly preferred.

  • Demonstrate knowledge of common contract instruments, including Cost Reimbursement, Fixed, Price, Time and Materials, and Indefinite Delivery types.

  • Display familiarity with proposal and award budgets, basic cost/price analysis, and reviewing supporting documentation.

  • Exhibit proven negotiation skills, including the ability to make sound decisions and apply creative problem-solving capabilities.

  • Possess strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and an ability to translate complex requirements into simple terms.

  • Thrive working in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment that requires flexibility and adaptability.

  • Demonstrate exemplary organizational and analytical skills while balancing multiple priorities.

  • Utilize diplomatic skills and demonstrate strong professional judgement, including ability to effectively manage varied internal and external relationships, and maintain organizational confidentiality.

  • Demonstrate a growth mindset, willingness to continuously learn, and openness to feedback.

  • Exercise strong computer skills; capable use of MS Office, particularly Excel and Word; experience with JAMISPrime and Salesforce, as well as with various funder databases a plus.

Applications must include all of the following:

  • Resume

  • Cover letter

The recruitment process for the selected candidates is as follows:

  • Phone screen

  • Two panel interviews, if selected to proceed

What You’ll Experience:

No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. We are committed to working in a manner defined by our mission and values.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people.

The target salary range for this position is Min $74,050 - Mid $90,725- Max $107,400. Salary offered is commensurate with experience and considers internal comparisons. Salaries are just one component of Urban Institute’s total compensation package. Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after six months of service and 500 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

The Urban Institute has formally recognized the Urban Institute Employees’ Union, which is part of the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). Urban management and the Union work together in good faith and are motivated by a shared commitment to this institution. This position is included in the Union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining negotiations.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

The Urban Institute is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@urban.org. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.