Assistant Director, Clinical Trials Contracts & Strategy

University of California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 128,500 - 298,100; Full time

Job summary

The UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) is seeking an Assistant Director, Clinical Trials Contracts to provide strategic leadership for the Clinical Trials Contracts & Strategic Relations unit within the Office of Clinical Research.

Reporting to the Director, this role oversees the negotiation, execution, and administration of complex industry-sponsored clinical trial agreements while ensuring efficient, compliant, and high-quality pre-award contracting operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• At least 10 years negotiating industry-sponsored trials; 3 years management experience.
• Expertise in industry clinical trial agreement drafting and negotiation.
• Knowledge of pre-award activities (IRB, CIRC, Coverage Analysis, etc.).
• Knowledge of FDA and other regulatory requirements for drug/device trials.
• Experience collaborating with faculty, sponsors and research administration.
• Strong communication, leadership and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, execute, and administer complex industry-sponsored trial agreements.
• Provide strategic leadership for the Contracts & Strategic Relations unit.
• Supervise, mentor, and manage daily operations of contract professionals.
• Collaborate with faculty, sponsors, and research administration stakeholders.
• Drive process improvements, policy development, and performance metrics.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Contract management

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Communication

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Team supervision

Legal drafting

Clinical research operations

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Graduate degree (JD/MPH/MBA)

Job description

The UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) is seeking an Assistant Director, Clinical Trials Contracts to provide strategic leadership for the Clinical Trials Contracts & Strategic Relations unit within the Office of Clinical Research.

Reporting to the Director, this role oversees the negotiation, execution, and administration of complex industry-sponsored clinical trial agreements while ensuring efficient, compliant, and high-quality pre-award contracting operations.