Research Operations Specialist – Contracts, Vendors & Spend

Maleda Tech

. Guide contracts from project request through signed agreement, including scoping, statements of work, approvals, and kickoff .

Posted 9/21/2026part-timeRemote • United StatesSeniorLead💰 $100 - $114 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in contract administration and procurement processes, with a strong focus on managing vendor relationships and compliance across global markets. Proficient in utilizing systems like Zip and Oracle for procure-to-pay operations and maintaining detailed contract records.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Contract AdministrationProcurement ManagementZip and Oracle ExperienceGlobal Market ComplianceVendor Relationship Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Contract Reading JudgmentProcure-to-Pay SystemsBudget TrackingVendor EvaluationContract NegotiationData Processing TermsLegal ComplianceAirtable AutomationsAI Tools UtilizationMaster Service Agreements

Soft Skills

Proactive CommunicationAttention to DetailOrganizational Skills

Tools & Technologies

AirtableSalesforceDocuSignZipOracleCoupa

Industry Keywords

Vendor OperationsResearch TeamsLegal RoutingPrivacy ReviewsInternational Markets

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Oracle

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Guide contracts from project request through signed agreement, including scoping, statements of work, approvals, and kickoff
Represent researchers in scoping and negotiation
Translate study needs into clear commercial terms and reduce unnecessary back-and-forth
Partner with Finance and research leads on budgets and forecasts
Track spend, prepare quarterly forecasts, and conduct monthly budget reviews
Maintain current visibility into active contracts, onboarding, and approvals
Keep researchers informed about status and next steps
Manage spend requests in Zip and Oracle, including purchase orders, change orders, invoices, and requisitions
Onboard and offboard vendors and tools, including supplier questionnaires, NDAs, risk and privacy reviews, legal routing, tool access, and integrations
Coordinate master service agreements, statements of work, NDAs, and renewals with Legal and Procurement
Adapt to legal, procurement, and data requirements in international markets, including EMEA and China
Maintain the contract repository, retainer trackers, and master supplier list
Track renewals at 30, 60, and 90 days
Support transitions to retainer-based vendor and agency models
Support vendor evaluation and consolidation, including review of data-use, model-training, and data-processing terms for AI tools
Serve as primary contact with Legal, Privacy, Security, Procurement, Sourcing, Finance, and Accounts Payable
Anticipate and resolve review bottlenecks, set timeline expectations, and escalate stalled reviews
Maintain operating data in Airtable
Support knowledge management across the shared drive, research repository, and team tools

Requirements

What you’ll need

7+ years of experience in procurement, contract administration, or vendor operations; 10+ years is ideal
Strong contract-reading judgment, including identifying gaps or risks and knowing when to involve Legal
Experience with contracting and procurement across global markets, including differing legal, privacy, and procurement requirements by region
Hands-on experience with procure-to-pay systems, ideally Zip and Oracle
Comparable platform experience, such as Coupa, with ability to learn new systems quickly
Systems-minded approach covering the full lifecycle from intake to contract to spend
Exceptional organization and attention to detail
Clear, proactive communication with researchers, finance partners, and vendors
Legal or contracts-focused background, such as paralegal or contract management experience (preferred)
Experience working in or alongside research teams, particularly UX research, market research, or consumer insights (preferred)
Hands-on Airtable experience, including automations (preferred)
Experience with Salesforce and DocuSign (preferred)
Day-to-day use of AI tools, ideally including building automations, agents, or AI-assisted workflows (preferred)
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical benefits
Dental benefits
Vision benefits
401(k)