E-3 Visa Contracts Manager Jobs
Contracts Manager roles qualify for E-3 visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring a relevant bachelor's degree in business, law, or supply chain management. Australian professionals can secure two-year renewable E-3 status with no lottery and no annual cap, making this one of the most direct paths to U.S. contract management careers.
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Job Description
The Pre-Award Shared Services Team has an excellent opportunity for two Pre-Award Grant and Contract Managers.
Under the general supervision of the Associate Director this individual will be responsible for all aspects of proposal development for grants and contracts submitted by departments within the UW School of Medicine. This person will be responsible for providing expertise in pre-award policies and practices as defined by sponsors, federal, foundation, state, industry, and the University, while managing grants and contracts from proposal development through submission to funding sponsors. Proposal development responsibilities include working directly with principal investigators, research administrators, post-award grant managers, and other campus partners and staff; developing budgets and preparing administrative portions of proposals; and recommending and implementing departmental policies and practices to ensure compliance with sponsor and university requirements. Pre-award responsibilities include: 1) developing and administering proposal timelines, 2) creating budgets, 3) preparing administrative portions of proposals, 4) editing technical components of proposals including budget justifications, facilities descriptions, biosketches, and similar, 5) ensuring compliance with sponsor and university requirements, 6) quality control of applications, and 7) building and maintaining strong partnerships with assigned department faculty and staff. Other responsibilities include: 1) providing technical advice and interpretation of regulations to Department faculty and staff, and 2) preparing and submitting Just-in-Time materials. This position is a deadline driven role responsible for quality control of applications before they leave the office, and ensuring they are submitted on time. This position will participate in lean process improvement activities.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Grant & Contract Administration and Compliance Management (75%)
- This position serves as the expert on grants and contracts administration with substantial responsibility for managing the unit’s grants and contracts program (pre-award).
- Advise faculty PIs on sponsor requirements particularly for specialized program announcements and non-federal sponsors.
- Prepare complex budgets and other administrative sections of proposals for grants and contracts based on knowledge of sponsor requirements and program objectives.
- Manage compliance of G&C program and provide technical advice and interpretation of government and foundation regulations and UW policies and procedures to PIs, program managers, researchers, and support staff.
- Act as the grant and contract compliance officer for the department in compliance with UW, federal, and state policies and regulations.
- Review proposals for potential IRB, IACUC and SFI issues and work with PIs for action.
- Provide faculty with clear and customer-oriented descriptions of pre-award processes.
- Interface with the University Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), Post Award Fiscal Compliance (PFCA), and funding agencies (NIH, NSF, foundations, pharma).
- Work closely with the SOM grant review unit to ensure University policies around PI eligibility, F&A waivers, cost sharing and IP disposition memos are being addressed and documented.
- Serve as the prime contact between agencies, central offices, and faculty.
- Work with funding agencies (both federal and non-federal) to resolve problems and/or obtain approval for deviation from authorized procedures.
- Prepare Just-In-Time documentation and time of award documentation as required by the sponsor.
- Coordinate the preparation of routine proposals and non-award agreements prepared by the Grant Specialists (Budget/Fiscal Analyst Leads).
- Use independent judgment and decision making to complete work on time and within compliance.
- Provide training to faculty, staff, and students of the department concerning pre-award management.
- Collaborate with pre-award shared services departments through strong relationship management to maintain information about their staff, PIs, and policies that affect grant submission and compliance.
- Provides internal policy recommendations to Pre-Award Shared Services management based on federal and university requirements, or system functionality; assist in implementing new policy and procedures.
- Coordinate with subrecipients/sub-contracts to ensure that proposal requirements and timelines are met. Answer questions and provide guidance of a similar nature as provided to the UW PI.
- Escalate issues regarding specific proposals to the Administrator/VCFA and department contacts.
Quality Assurance (10%)
- Conduct a quality control review of all proposals to ensure each application is meeting sponsor/proposal requirements and department and school policies before being routed in SAGE for campus review.
- Analyze the quality assurance results to identify trends/opportunities for improvement in pre-award processes, tools, and communication to further enhance the service provided to PIs and departments.
- Work with the Team Leads and Associate Director to implement process improvements.
- Collect, analyze, and report on metrics regarding department pre-award submissions by fiscal year.
Administration (5%)
- Participate in regularly scheduled team meetings.
- Develop policies and procedures for pre-award administrative functions.
- Act as liaison between the Administrator, Chair, faculty, and other staff members, regarding grant and contract proposals.
- Serve as the content expert and resource for faculty, and other staff members regarding grant and contact proposals, pre-award management and compliance.
- Provide regular updates to faculty and department administrators regarding changes in federal and university research directives, as well as changes to pre-award procedures.
- Back up work of fiscal staff members, lead or contribute to special projects, and perform related duties as required.
- Provide back-up to the other Pre-Award Grants Managers maintaining a high level of service to our departments and compliance with department, university, and sponsor guidelines.
- Train pre-award skills to new pre-award staff within shared services. This will involve training, reviewing work, performing periodic audits, and facilitating additional training as necessary.
- Provide assessment and feedback for staff via annual peer performance reviews.
Portfolio Management (5%)
- Liaise with the department and PIs for pre-award.
- Coordinate with the post award contacts via email and phone, as well as holding quarterly meetings, to ensure a smooth hand-off at time of award.
- Attend faculty meetings and department research meetings.
Lean Process Improvement (5%)
- Recommend process improvements regarding the pre-award grants business process, quality control, and SharePoint system for grants management.
- Write, analyze, and revise service team pre-award guidelines, policy, and procedures, including taking the lead on several pre-award projects.
- Write, analyze, and revise service team pre-award templates which serve to streamline processes and increase consistency.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, higher education administration, public administration, or related field.
- Three or more years' experience working in research administration with substantial responsibility for proposal development, including complex budgets and sub-awards.
Additional Requirements
- Experience interacting with faculty and department leadership in project management context.
- Demonstrated ability to manage priorities to meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
- Intermediate experience with software including Excel and MS Word.
- Demonstrated commitment to excellence.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Intermediate knowledge/experience with OMB guidelines, Grants.gov and eRA Commons.
- Experience working with staff from UW operations (OSP, SOM RGE, PAFC, GCA, etc.) and sponsor program and research staff.
- Experience working with UW systems including SAGE and Award Portal.
- Experience leading teams or projects.
Compensation, Benefits and Position Details
Pay Range Minimum:
$84,996.00 annual
Pay Range Maximum:
$94,992.00 annual
Other Compensation:
Benefits:
For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/
Shift:
First Shift (United States of America)
Temporary or Regular?
This is a regular position
FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):
100.00%
Union/Bargaining Unit:
Not Applicable
About the UW
Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.
UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
Our Commitment
The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

Job Description
The Pre-Award Shared Services Team has an excellent opportunity for two Pre-Award Grant and Contract Managers.
Under the general supervision of the Associate Director this individual will be responsible for all aspects of proposal development for grants and contracts submitted by departments within the UW School of Medicine. This person will be responsible for providing expertise in pre-award policies and practices as defined by sponsors, federal, foundation, state, industry, and the University, while managing grants and contracts from proposal development through submission to funding sponsors. Proposal development responsibilities include working directly with principal investigators, research administrators, post-award grant managers, and other campus partners and staff; developing budgets and preparing administrative portions of proposals; and recommending and implementing departmental policies and practices to ensure compliance with sponsor and university requirements. Pre-award responsibilities include: 1) developing and administering proposal timelines, 2) creating budgets, 3) preparing administrative portions of proposals, 4) editing technical components of proposals including budget justifications, facilities descriptions, biosketches, and similar, 5) ensuring compliance with sponsor and university requirements, 6) quality control of applications, and 7) building and maintaining strong partnerships with assigned department faculty and staff. Other responsibilities include: 1) providing technical advice and interpretation of regulations to Department faculty and staff, and 2) preparing and submitting Just-in-Time materials. This position is a deadline driven role responsible for quality control of applications before they leave the office, and ensuring they are submitted on time. This position will participate in lean process improvement activities.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Grant & Contract Administration and Compliance Management (75%)
- This position serves as the expert on grants and contracts administration with substantial responsibility for managing the unit’s grants and contracts program (pre-award).
- Advise faculty PIs on sponsor requirements particularly for specialized program announcements and non-federal sponsors.
- Prepare complex budgets and other administrative sections of proposals for grants and contracts based on knowledge of sponsor requirements and program objectives.
- Manage compliance of G&C program and provide technical advice and interpretation of government and foundation regulations and UW policies and procedures to PIs, program managers, researchers, and support staff.
- Act as the grant and contract compliance officer for the department in compliance with UW, federal, and state policies and regulations.
- Review proposals for potential IRB, IACUC and SFI issues and work with PIs for action.
- Provide faculty with clear and customer-oriented descriptions of pre-award processes.
- Interface with the University Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), Post Award Fiscal Compliance (PFCA), and funding agencies (NIH, NSF, foundations, pharma).
- Work closely with the SOM grant review unit to ensure University policies around PI eligibility, F&A waivers, cost sharing and IP disposition memos are being addressed and documented.
- Serve as the prime contact between agencies, central offices, and faculty.
- Work with funding agencies (both federal and non-federal) to resolve problems and/or obtain approval for deviation from authorized procedures.
- Prepare Just-In-Time documentation and time of award documentation as required by the sponsor.
- Coordinate the preparation of routine proposals and non-award agreements prepared by the Grant Specialists (Budget/Fiscal Analyst Leads).
- Use independent judgment and decision making to complete work on time and within compliance.
- Provide training to faculty, staff, and students of the department concerning pre-award management.
- Collaborate with pre-award shared services departments through strong relationship management to maintain information about their staff, PIs, and policies that affect grant submission and compliance.
- Provides internal policy recommendations to Pre-Award Shared Services management based on federal and university requirements, or system functionality; assist in implementing new policy and procedures.
- Coordinate with subrecipients/sub-contracts to ensure that proposal requirements and timelines are met. Answer questions and provide guidance of a similar nature as provided to the UW PI.
- Escalate issues regarding specific proposals to the Administrator/VCFA and department contacts.
Quality Assurance (10%)
- Conduct a quality control review of all proposals to ensure each application is meeting sponsor/proposal requirements and department and school policies before being routed in SAGE for campus review.
- Analyze the quality assurance results to identify trends/opportunities for improvement in pre-award processes, tools, and communication to further enhance the service provided to PIs and departments.
- Work with the Team Leads and Associate Director to implement process improvements.
- Collect, analyze, and report on metrics regarding department pre-award submissions by fiscal year.
Administration (5%)
- Participate in regularly scheduled team meetings.
- Develop policies and procedures for pre-award administrative functions.
- Act as liaison between the Administrator, Chair, faculty, and other staff members, regarding grant and contract proposals.
- Serve as the content expert and resource for faculty, and other staff members regarding grant and contact proposals, pre-award management and compliance.
- Provide regular updates to faculty and department administrators regarding changes in federal and university research directives, as well as changes to pre-award procedures.
- Back up work of fiscal staff members, lead or contribute to special projects, and perform related duties as required.
- Provide back-up to the other Pre-Award Grants Managers maintaining a high level of service to our departments and compliance with department, university, and sponsor guidelines.
- Train pre-award skills to new pre-award staff within shared services. This will involve training, reviewing work, performing periodic audits, and facilitating additional training as necessary.
- Provide assessment and feedback for staff via annual peer performance reviews.
Portfolio Management (5%)
- Liaise with the department and PIs for pre-award.
- Coordinate with the post award contacts via email and phone, as well as holding quarterly meetings, to ensure a smooth hand-off at time of award.
- Attend faculty meetings and department research meetings.
Lean Process Improvement (5%)
- Recommend process improvements regarding the pre-award grants business process, quality control, and SharePoint system for grants management.
- Write, analyze, and revise service team pre-award guidelines, policy, and procedures, including taking the lead on several pre-award projects.
- Write, analyze, and revise service team pre-award templates which serve to streamline processes and increase consistency.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, higher education administration, public administration, or related field.
- Three or more years' experience working in research administration with substantial responsibility for proposal development, including complex budgets and sub-awards.
Additional Requirements
- Experience interacting with faculty and department leadership in project management context.
- Demonstrated ability to manage priorities to meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
- Intermediate experience with software including Excel and MS Word.
- Demonstrated commitment to excellence.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Intermediate knowledge/experience with OMB guidelines, Grants.gov and eRA Commons.
- Experience working with staff from UW operations (OSP, SOM RGE, PAFC, GCA, etc.) and sponsor program and research staff.
- Experience working with UW systems including SAGE and Award Portal.
- Experience leading teams or projects.
Compensation, Benefits and Position Details
Pay Range Minimum:
$84,996.00 annual
Pay Range Maximum:
$94,992.00 annual
Other Compensation:
Benefits:
For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/
Shift:
First Shift (United States of America)
Temporary or Regular?
This is a regular position
FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):
100.00%
Union/Bargaining Unit:
Not Applicable
About the UW
Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.
UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
Our Commitment
The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.
See all 283+ Contracts Manager jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Contracts Manager roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding E-3 Visa Sponsorship as a Contracts Manager
Translate your Australian qualifications for U.S. employers
A three-year Australian bachelor's degree in business, commerce, or law satisfies E-3 specialty occupation requirements. Get a credential evaluation from a NACES-member service so your application packet clearly maps your degree to the U.S. equivalent before interviews begin.
Target employers with active federal contract portfolios
Defence contractors, construction primes, and government-adjacent technology firms file more contract management roles requiring E-3 candidates than most sectors. Search DOL's Labor Condition Application disclosure data to identify which employers have filed LCAs for contracts-specific job titles in your target location.
Search for Contracts Manager roles using Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters U.S. job listings by E-3 sponsorship availability, saving you from applying to roles where employers won't sponsor. Use Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service to handle your LCA and visa paperwork once you have an offer confirmed.
Clarify specialty occupation standing before accepting an offer
Not every contracts role qualifies. USCIS requires the position to normally demand a specific bachelor's degree, not just any degree. Ask the hiring manager for the job description that will be submitted with the LCA so you can confirm the specialty occupation framing before you resign your current role.
Request LCA filing immediately after verbal offer
The employer must file and receive a certified LCA from DOL before your E-3 application goes to the consulate. Build this into your start date negotiation. DOL typically certifies LCAs within seven business days, but requesting it at verbal offer stage avoids delays once the written offer lands.
Prepare contract samples that demonstrate specialty-level work
Consular officers assessing E-3 applications for contracts roles sometimes probe whether the position genuinely requires a degree. Bring two or three anonymised contract documents you authored showing complex legal, commercial, or regulatory terms that demonstrate the work demands degree-level expertise.
Contracts Manager jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Contracts Manager JobsContracts Manager E-3 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find Contracts Manager jobs in the U.S. that offer E-3 visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to search for Contracts Manager roles where employers are open to E-3 sponsorship. Most standard job boards don't filter by visa type, so you end up applying blindly. Migrate Mate surfaces roles matched to E-3 eligibility, letting you focus your applications on employers already willing to file the Labor Condition Application.
How much does it cost to get an E-3 visa?
Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service covers the entire process for $499, including the Labor Condition Application, visa document preparation, and consulate appointment guidance. Traditional immigration lawyers charge $2,000–$5,000+ for the same work. The E-3 has less paperwork than most work visas, so paying thousands for legal help is usually unnecessary.
Does a Contracts Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for E-3 purposes?
It can, but the framing matters. USCIS requires the position to normally demand a specific bachelor's degree in a related field, such as business, supply chain, engineering, or law. Generic management titles where any degree satisfies the requirement are vulnerable at the consulate. Employers should document that degree-level expertise in contracts law, procurement, or commercial risk is a routine requirement of the role, not just preferred.
How does the E-3 visa compare to H-1B for Contracts Manager roles?
The E-3 has no annual lottery and no numerical cap for Australian nationals, so a qualified Contracts Manager can apply any time of year without waiting for a selection round. H-1B requires entering a lottery with roughly a one-in-four chance of selection. Both require specialty occupation status and employer-sponsored LCA filing, but the E-3's predictability makes it significantly more practical for roles with a specific start date.
Can I switch employers while on an E-3 as a Contracts Manager?
Yes, but your E-3 status is tied to your sponsoring employer. When you move to a new employer, they must file a fresh LCA and you'll need a new E-3 visa stamp at a consulate before starting work, or in some cases a change of status if you're already inside the U.S. Build a minimum four to six week buffer into your transition timeline to account for LCA certification and consulate appointment scheduling.
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