Contract Specialist

Job Title

Contract Specialist

RE53210

40420:
Office of Technology Commercialization

Lexington, KY

46

$52,/year

Staff – Full‑Time

BA

Sitting for extended periods of time; repetitive motion related to computer work.

Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm

UK Innovate’s Technology Commercialization team at the University of Kentucky conducts its commercialization activities to create a partnership culture that is focused on strong relations with our stakeholders, transparency and customer service. The Contracts Manager will report to the Sr. Associate Director for Contracts and work collaboratively with other team members to draft, negotiate and manage agreements related to the commercialization and partnering efforts of UK Innovate.

The Contracts Manager will be responsible for working with faculty innovators and third parties to draft and execute contracts including intellectual property licenses, options, inter‑institutional agreements, transfer agreements (NDAs, MTAs, DUAs), collaboration and other agreements as needed to consummate partnerships to move technologies of the University to market. The primary responsibilities of this position will include but not be limited to: drafting, negotiating and finalizing commercialization and intellectual property related agreements, collaborating with innovators, potential licensees, and other institutions to establish, memorialize through appropriate contracts and help implement frameworks for partnerships and commercialization efforts;

working with other UK Innovate team members to strategize appropriate agreement frameworks in connection with the above; creating and updating agreement templates, documents and related policies for continuous improvement in process efficiencies relating to the negotiation and drafting of agreements, contract execution and monitoring of existing agreements to ensure contractual compliance. Growth in intellectual property licenses and agreements consummating commercialization and innovation partnerships is a priority at UK and serves as a major performance metric for the research enterprise in the University’s 2020‑2025 strategic plan.

This position is eligible for a fully remote work arrangement. Candidates must reside in the United States to be eligible for this work arrangement.

• Required
  
  Education:
  
  BA
• Preferred Education:
  
  JD preferred with 1‑3 years’ experience to join as a junior member of our team.
• Required Related
  
  Experience:
  
  1 year
• Required License/Registration/Certification:
  None
• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time and perform repetitive motion related to computer work.
• Must be able to work Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm.

Position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Final date to receive applications: 03/12/2026

This role is open to US residents only.

We value the well‑being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. The University follows both federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre‑employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.