Contract Associate

Vylor, Inc.; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off (PTO)

Parental leave

Retirement plan

Job summary

Vylor, Inc. is seeking a Contract Associate to support its Technology Contract Operations team in Johnston, IA.

You will draft, negotiate, execute, and manage a variety of IP agreements, including confidentiality, MTAs, and evaluation agreements, partnering with R&D, legal, and business units. The role requires a Bachelor's degree and strong communication, organization, and project-management skills to handle multiple projects across geographies and ensure timely, compliant contract execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in agricultural, biological, chemical sciences or equivalent business experience.
• Excellent communication and writing skills for stakeholder interactions.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects with attention to detail and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and route agreement requests to determine appropriate contract type.
• Lead negotiations and manage contracts across R&D, legal, regulatory, and business teams.
• Coordinate clearance and approval for transfer of materials, information, or data across geographies.
• Maintain contract database entries and monitor obligations and payments.
• Provide guidance to internal clients on agreement standards and processes.

Skills

Communication

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Technical writing

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Join Vylor—Powering the Future of AgricultureAt Vylor, we’re advancing agriculture through breakthrough science—combining elite germplasm, cutting-edge biotech, and next-generation expertise in gene editing and molecular breeding. Our portfolio includes trusted industry brands like Pioneer, Brevant, and Hoegemeyer, delivering performance farmers rely on.Join us to help scale innovation globally and shape what’s next in crop science.Seeking a new and challenging opportunity to further enhance your career? Vylor currently has a vacancy for a Contract Associate on our Technology Contract Operations team in Johnston, IA. The Contract Associate directly facilitates innovation and technology advances in Seeds & Traits, Digital and Farming Solutions, and Crop Protection R&D groups and other business areas in Vylor by drafting, negotiating, executing, and managing a variety of intellectual property agreements, which include confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, and evaluation agreements. This role also provides support related to other aspects of intellectual property agreements as needed.The Contract Associate will be a dynamic, goal-oriented, and results-driven individual with demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal); the ability to work effectively with multiple internal functions including R&D, legal, finance, and business teams; ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and efficiently; an understanding of intellectual property management and/or scientific/technical arenas; and strong teamwork orientation and skills.What You’ll Do:How will you help us grow? It matters to us, and it matters to you!Evaluate agreement requests, largely from Vylor R&D, to determine what type of agreement is needed to fulfil such requests.Become competent in issue-spotting while evaluating requests, to be able to take agreements from an agreement request to executed contract.Coordinate, lead, and manage contract negotiation and agreement management in partnership with colleagues in R&D, legal, regulatory, supply chain, finance, and other groups in Vylor.Work with Vylor legal counsel to obtain necessary legal guidance for agreements.Become skilled at agreement drafting and negotiation, building experience defining, writing, negotiation, and finalizing terms leading to successful execution of agreements.Coordinate clearance and approval for transfer of materials, information, traits, or data (working with others in Vylor as appropriate) and be capable of managing this process across geographies in Vylor.Facilitate agreement management and compliance, including, but not limited to, contract database entries, payments, or other contract obligations.Develop and maintain strong knowledge of important agreements and their impact on new or ongoing contract negotiations.Provide guidance/training to Vylor-internal R&D and business clients with respect to agreement standards and processes.What You Need:What expertise have you grown? What do you bring to the table?Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in the agricultural, biological, or chemical sciences, or equivalent business experience.Basic knowledge and understanding of plant biology/physiology, genetics, biochemistry, plant breeding, organic chemistry and/or natural products, is preferred.Confidence and ability to work through and resolve challenging issues in a timely and professional manner, with internal and external stakeholders, to successful outcome.Experience in successfully managing multiple projects and deadlines within a complex organization, with strict attention to detail, prioritization and efficiency.Excellent communication (written and verbal), interpersonal, and technical writing skills required.Proven ability to build solid relationships, earn the confidence of internal stakeholders and demonstrate the ability to get results in a timely manner with attention to timelines and deadlines.Strong organizational skills required; project management skills preferred.Must be reliable, self-motivated, persistent and have the ability to work effectively both alone and collaboratively in small and large teams.***Please note there is no visa sponsorship available for this role.Benefits – How We’ll Support You:Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skillsBe part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better placeHealth benefits for you and your family on your first day of employmentFour weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidaysExcellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and fatherFuture planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement programLearn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva BenefitsCheck out life at Vylor! https://www.linkedin.com/company/vylorgenetics/Are you a good match? Apply today! We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.Corteva announced to separate our current advanced seed and genetics business to establish a standalone company, operating as Vylor, Inc. The process of the planned separation is anticipated to be completed the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to legal requirements and board approval. Should you accept this position, it is anticipated that, following conclusion of the separation, you would be an employee of Vylor, Inc. and your employment would be governed by Vylor, Inc. employment processes, programs, policies, and benefit plans. In that case, details of any planned changes would be provided to you by Vylor, Inc. at an appropriate time and subject to any necessary consultation processes.Vylor is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.