Legal Counsel Management

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

The Associate Director for Industry Contracts provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the University’s Industry Contracts Team within the Office of Sponsored Projects. This position directs the negotiation, execution, and administration of a broad portfolio of industry-sponsored research agreements, including research agreements, clinical research agreements, confidentiality agreements, data use agreements, material transfer agreements, subcontracts, service agreements, and related sponsored project transactions.

The Associate Director supervises professional staff responsible for negotiating sponsored research agreements, establishes operational priorities and performance expectations, develops and implements business processes, and ensures consistent application of University policies and applicable sponsor requirements. The position works collaboratively with faculty, colleges, University leadership, the Office of General Counsel, Technology Licensing Office, Research Security Office, Risk Management, and other administrative partners to facilitate timely execution of agreements while appropriately managing institutional risk.

This position serves as a senior advisor on industry-sponsored research contracting, develops operational strategies to improve efficiency and customer service, resolves complex contractual and legal issues, and supports institutional initiatives to expand industry-sponsored research and strategic partnerships.

• Direct and supervise the daily operations of the Industry Contracts Team, including assigning workload, establishing priorities, managing performance, and supporting the professional development of staff.
• Lead the negotiation, review, interpretation, and execution of complex industry-sponsored research agreements and related contractual instruments.
• Provide strategic guidance to contract officers regarding legal, financial, regulatory, intellectual property, publication, confidentiality, indemnification, insurance, data security, export control, and other contractual issues.
• Establish operational goals, policies, standard operating procedures, and quality assurance measures to promote consistency, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex contract negotiations requiring executive judgment or coordination across multiple University offices.
• Develop collaborative relationships with faculty, department administrators, college leadership, external sponsors, and University administrative offices to facilitate successful research partnerships.
• Coordinate with the Office of General Counsel, Technology Licensing Office, Research Security Office, Risk Management, Purchasing, and other institutional stakeholders on complex contractual matters.
• Monitor workload, operational metrics, contract turnaround times, customer service performance, and staffing needs; recommend and implement process improvements to enhance operational effectiveness.
• Interpret and communicate University policies, federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and emerging legal and regulatory developments affecting sponsored research contracting.
• Develop and deliver training, guidance documents, and educational resources for faculty, research administrators, and contract professionals.
• Support strategic initiatives to expand and diversify the University’s sponsored research portfolio through effective industry engagement and operational excellence.
• Represent the Office of Sponsored Projects on institutional committees, cross-functional work groups, and external professional organizations.
• Participate in organizational planning, budgeting, staffing, and resource allocation for the Industry Contracts program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT : 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Associate Director: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 10 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 8 years of directly related work experience.

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating and administering complex sponsored research agreements, including industry-sponsored research contracts, clinical trial agreements, confidentiality agreements, data use agreements, material transfer agreements, and intellectual property-related agreements, ideally within institutions of higher education.
• Significant leadership experience supervising professional staff, managing operational performance, and fostering employee development in a collaborative, customer-focused environment.
• Extensive knowledge of sponsored research administration within institutions of higher education, including federal regulations, sponsor requirements, University policies, and research compliance…