Associate Director - Industry Contracts

University of Utah

Salt Lake City (UT)

On-site

USD 125,000 - 145,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

The University of Utah seeks an Associate Director for Industry Contracts to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the IndustryContracts Team within the Office of Sponsored Projects.

The role directs negotiation, execution, and administration of a broad portfolio of industry-sponsored research agreements, including CLAs, data use, MTAs, and subcontracts, ensuring timely execution while managing institutional risk.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree (or equivalency) required with 10 years' related experience; or a master's degree with 8 years' related experience.
Juris Doctor or comparable advanced degree is not required by the base minimum but preferences include a JD.
Extensive knowledge of sponsored research administration and related regulations is expected.

Responsibilities

Direct and supervise daily operations of the IndustryContracts Team.
Lead negotiation, review, interpretation, and execution of complex industry-sponsored agreements.
Provide strategic guidance on legal, financial, regulatory, IP, publication, confidentiality, and data security issues.
Establish goals, policies, SOPs, and QA measures for consistency and efficiency.
Serve as escalation point for complex contract negotiations requiring executive judgment.
Develop relationships with faculty, leadership, sponsors, and university offices to facilitate partnerships.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Contract management

Communication

Project management

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Associate Director - Industry Contracts

Job Summary

The Associate Director for Industry Contracts provides strategicleadership and operational oversight for the University's IndustryContracts Team within the Office of Sponsored Projects. Thisposition directs the negotiation, execution, and administration ofa broad portfolio of industry-sponsored research agreements,including research agreements, clinical research agreements,confidentiality agreements, data use agreements, material transferagreements, subcontracts, service agreements, and related sponsoredproject transactions.

The Associate Director supervises professional staff responsiblefor negotiating sponsored research agreements, establishesoperational priorities and performance expectations, develops andimplements business processes, and ensures consistent applicationof University policies and applicable sponsor requirements. Theposition works collaboratively with faculty, colleges, Universityleadership, the Office of General Counsel, Technology LicensingOffice, Research Security Office, Risk Management, and otheradministrative partners to facilitate timely execution ofagreements while appropriately managing institutional risk.

This position serves as a senior advisor on industry-sponsoredresearch contracting, develops operational strategies to improveefficiency and customer service, resolves complex contractual andlegal issues, and supports institutional initiatives to expandindustry-sponsored research and strategic partnerships.

Responsibilities

Direct and supervise the daily operations of the IndustryContracts Team, including assigning workload, establishingpriorities, managing performance, and supporting the professionaldevelopment of staff.
Lead the negotiation, review, interpretation, and execution ofcomplex industry-sponsored research agreements and relatedcontractual instruments.
Provide strategic guidance to contract officers regardinglegal, financial, regulatory, intellectual property, publication,confidentiality, indemnification, insurance, data security, exportcontrol, and other contractual issues.
Establish operational goals, policies, standard operatingprocedures, and quality assurance measures to promote consistency,efficiency, and continuous improvement.
Serve as the primary escalation point for complex contractnegotiations requiring executive judgment or coordination acrossmultiple University offices.
Develop collaborative relationships with faculty, departmentadministrators, college leadership, external sponsors, andUniversity administrative offices to facilitate successful researchpartnerships.
Coordinate with the Office of General Counsel, TechnologyLicensing Office, Research Security Office, Risk Management,Purchasing, and other institutional stakeholders on complexcontractual matters.
Monitor workload, operational metrics, contract turnaroundtimes, customer service performance, and staffing needs; recommendand implement process improvements to enhance operationaleffectiveness.
Interpret and communicate University policies, federalregulations, sponsor requirements, and emerging legal andregulatory developments affecting sponsored researchcontracting.
Develop and deliver training, guidance documents, andeducational resources for faculty, research administrators, andcontract professionals.
Support strategic initiatives to expand and diversify theUniversity's sponsored research portfolio through effectiveindustry engagement and operational excellence.
Represent the Office of Sponsored Projects on institutionalcommittees, cross-functional workgroups, and external professionalorganizations.
Participate in organizational planning, budgeting, staffing,and resource allocation for the Industry Contracts program.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

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 workexperience).

Associate Director: Requires a bachelor's (orequivalency) + 10 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 8 years ofdirectly related work experience.

Preferences

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
Demonstrated experience negotiating and administering complexsponsored research agreements, including industry-sponsoredresearch contracts, clinical trial agreements, confidentialityagreements, data use agreements, material transfer agreements, andintellectual property-related agreements, ideally withininstitutions of higher education.
Significant leadership experience supervising professionalstaff, managing operational performance, and fostering employeedevelopment in a collaborative, customer-focused environment.
Extensive knowledge of sponsored research administration withininstitutions of higher education, including federal regulations,sponsor requirements, University policies, and research complianceconsiderations.
Demonstrated understanding of intellectual property principles,technology commercialization, publication rights, data rights,research security, export control, and related legal issuesaffecting academic research.
Proven ability to balance institutional risk management withstrategic business objectives while facilitating productiveresearch partnerships.
Demonstrated success leading organizational change,implementing process improvements, and improving operationalefficiency through data-informed decision making.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with theability to effectively advise faculty, executive leadership,sponsors, legal counsel, and research administrationprofessionals.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the abilityto independently evaluate complex contractual, legal, andoperational issues and develop practical solutions.
Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationshipsacross organizational boundaries and work effectively with diverseinternal and external stakeholders.
Experience establishing operational metrics, managingperformance, and leading continuous quality improvementinitiatives.
Strong organizational and project management skills with theability to manage competing priorities in a fast-pacedenvironment.
Demonstrated commitment to providing exceptional customerservice while maintaining high standards of compliance,professionalism, and operational excellence.