CHEManager International · 19 hours ago
OPEN RANK: ASSISTANT / DIRECTOR RESEARCH CONTRACTS & INDUSTRY AGREEMENTS (RCIA)
Rio Grande City, TX
Contract
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level, Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
3+ years expCHEManager International is seeking an Open Rank Assistant/Director for Research Contracts and Industry Agreements. The role involves providing leadership and management to the Office of Research Contracts and ensuring compliance with laws and policies governing research agreements, while also engaging with various stakeholders to facilitate contract negotiations.
Responsibilities
Manages the daily operations for the Office of Research Contracts and Industrial Agreements and ensures compliance with relevant laws and institutional policies governing the draft, review, negotiation, and management of research and sponsored project agreements
Assists with supporting the contract agreement process, which includes but it is not limited to drafting, reviewing, and negotiating research-related agreements, such as material transfer agreements, data sharing/use agreements, confidentiality agreements, clinical trial/study agreements, memoranda of understanding, collaborative research agreements, sponsored project agreements, sub awards and intellectual property-related agreements for commercialization purposes, such as options, licenses, interinstitutional agreements
Assists with facilitating the contracting process aligned with the institution's strategic priorities to grow research
Fosters and maintains relationships with researchers, sponsors, industry, and administrators at UTRGV. Engages with these groups to understand contractual requirements and deliver optimal agreement approaches that balance compliance, risk, and project goals
Supervises and mentors assigned staff, manages workload, and conducts staff performance evaluation
Ensures the timely and professional conclusion of agreement negotiations to enable prompt project start; informs relevant units of agreement execution and of relevant contracting requirements
Assists with the development, managing, and updating agreement templates that comply with UT System Regents' Rules and Policies, to be used as standards by the Contracts & Industry Agreements office
Coordinates with the Office of General Counsel at UT System for the development and use of master agreements
Collaborates closely with other UTRGV units on contract related activities as needed
Assists with development and management of policies, procedures, handbooks, training guides etc. as needed. Promotes awareness on/of research contracting policies and procedures
Analyzes and solves any contract-related problems that may arise with internal or external parties. Proactively monitors agreements and oversees the process for agreements close-outs, extensions, or renewals
Keeps abreast of developments in the external research environment (changes in laws, policies, and regulations) that will impact research and sponsored project activities
Participates in relevant professional networks and disseminates information to faculty and staff. Contributes to the development and delivery of training and presentation on aspects of the work pertaining to contracts and industrial agreements
Coordinates the development of relevant website content for assigned areas with emphasis on customer service
Contributes to the development and implementation of strategic opportunities and assess the unit operations for efficiency
Manages a defined portfolio of research agreements
Works collaboratively under the guidance of the Division of Research leadership for high-risk or complex negotiations
Provides effective leadership and management to the Office of Research Contracts and Industrial Agreements and ensures compliance with relevant laws and institutional policies governing the draft, review, negotiation, and management of research and sponsored project agreements
Oversees, drafts, reviews, and negotiates a wide variety of research-related agreements, including but not limited to sponsored projects agreements, sub-awards, materials transfer agreements, data sharing/use agreements, confidentiality agreements, clinical trial/study agreements, memorandum of understanding, collaborative research agreements, and options and licenses of intellectual property
Provides expert advice to the campus community on research-related agreements and explains which agreement will be the most appropriate to address customer needs
Works closely with stakeholders to facilitate the contracting process aligned with the institution's strategic priorities to grow research
Ensures the timely and professional conclusion of agreement negotiations to enable prompt project start; informs relevant units of agreement execution
Ensures agreements comply with UT System Regents' Rules and Policies by creating a database of approved templates to be used as standards for Contracts & Industry Agreements
Leads all complex processes across functions, including legal and risks that may arise from internal or external performance issues
Coordinates with the Office of General Counsel at UT System for the development and use of master agreements
Collaborates closely with the Office of Procurement on contracts activities as needed. Serves as the subject matter expert and singular point of contact for matters concerning research contracts and agreements
Fosters and maintains liaisons between researchers, sponsors, and UTRGV. Meets with customers to discuss both legal and business matters, including management risks, such as financial, legal, and security risks. Assists academic and professional services staff in ensuring that contractual obligations are understood and complied with
Analyzes and solves any contract-related problems that may arise with internal or external parties. Proactively monitors agreements and timely processes close-outs, extensions, or renewals
Ensures clear and programmatic advice is provided to campus community on the implication of contracting terms, and how to manage the activity in the context
Provides support and expert advice on new potential contracting opportunities. Identifies opportunities to improve business processes and devises plans to implement these changes
Keeps abreast of developments in the external research environment (changes in laws, policies, and regulations) that will impact research and sponsored project activities and provides relevant advice to division leadership
Participates in relevant professional networks and disseminates information to faculty and staff. Contributes to the development and delivery of training and presentation on aspects of the work pertaining to contracts and industrial agreements
Oversees and coordinates the development of relevant website content for assigned area with emphasis on customer service
Participates in the development of institutional policies and procedures affecting contracts and agreements, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations
Performs other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree from an accredited university, plus three (3) years of related experience, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating research or intellectual property related agreements. Must possess knowledge of the unique legal, regulatory, and administrative factors that affect contract negotiations in a public university environment
Bachelor's degree from an accredited university, plus Five (5) years of related experience, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating research or intellectual property related agreements. Must possess knowledge of the unique legal, regulatory, and administrative factors that affect contract negotiations in a public university environment
Three (3) years of related experience, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating research or intellectual property related agreements. Must possess knowledge of the unique legal, regulatory, and administrative factors that affect contract negotiations in a public university environment
Five (5) years of related experience, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating research or intellectual property related agreements including supervisory experience. Previous experience working with contract regulations and related laws that affect contract negotiations in a public university environment
Demonstrate a solid understanding of legal terminology
Comfortable working and leading as part of a varied team
Demonstrates a strong attention to detail and willingness to upkeep high ethical and legal standards
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage and demonstrate leadership across multiple projects with shifting deadlines
Possesses excellent written and oral communication skills
Ability to manage confidential information
Exemplifies creative problem-solving abilities
Demonstrated ability to perceive administrative and regulatory issues and conceptualize how to find solutions and research consensus and to complete complex tasks
Preferred
Master's degree in Research Administration, Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Business Law & Compliance, Public Affairs or equivalent field from an accredited university, or Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
More than the required experience in a supervisory position
Formal training and experience in sponsored research administration/intellectual property management and related topics
Company
CHEManager International
Wiley’s leading media brand providing first-hand information on the global chemical, life science and process industries
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageCompany data provided by crunchbase