Contract Specialist

Old Dominion University; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA seeks a Contract Specialist to support faculty, staff, and the Office of Innovations Commercialization in reviewing and drafting unfunded contracts related to IP and academic research. You will negotiate NDAs, MTAs, and CRADAs, maintain records, and ensure compliance with university and external policies.

The role requires strong drafting and negotiation skills, experience with contract databases, and the ability to work with diverse external partners while

Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of contract terms and conditions relevant to intellectual property and academic research, specifically regarding Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs).
• Working knowledge of federal and state regulations governing research compliance, such as the Bayh-Dole Act, the Virginia Code, and ethical requirements regarding human tissue and animal research.
• Working knowledge of agreement management databases (e.g., Sophia Knowledge Management System) and records retention standards.
• Skill in drafting, editing, and finalizing complex legal agreements with precision and attention to detail.
• Working skill in conducting negotiations with external parties (corporate, nonprofit, and federal entities) to align terms with institutional interests.
• Skill in the use of standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel) and specialized knowledge management systems to maintain accurate records of disclosed agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal oversight while interacting with faculty, staff, and the Office of General Counsel to manage the lifecycle of agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships with diverse external partners, including industry representatives, federal agencies, and military commands.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex information to ensure that university contracts do not conflict with Old Dominion University Research Foundation ( ODURF ) contracts or internal guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, such as monitoring compliance reports from collaborators while tracking agreements in accordance with university retention standards.

Responsibilities

• The contract specialist provides assistance to faculty, staff, and Office of Innovations Commercialization ( OIC ) personnel in reviewing, drafting and managing various unfunded contracts and agreements pertaining to intellectual property and academic research.
• Drafts, negotiates, and finalizes, with minimal oversight, confidential disclosure agreements, research collaboration agreements, and material and software evaluation/use/transfer agreements with corporate and nonprofit entities.
• Interacts independently with faculty, staff, and ODU Office of General Counsel, as well as representatives of academic and commercial organizations, to ensure agreements compliance.
• Contribute to the maintenance of complete records of all disclosed CDAs/NDAs, MTAs, CRADAS and other agreements by ODU to support research and assist with education for university faculty, students, & staff on contract compliance issues.
• Prepares periodic reports as requested.
• Performs related responsibilities as required.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Job description

Staff and Administrative & Professional Faculty Applicants:

Contact Human Resources at:
[phone]
[e-mail]

Teaching and Research Faculty Applicants:

Contact Academic Affairs at:
[e-mail]

Contract Specialist

The contract specialist provides assistance to faculty, staff, and Office of Innovations Commercialization ( OIC ) personnel in reviewing, drafting and managing various unfunded contracts and agreements pertaining to intellectual property and academic research. Drafts, negotiates, and finalizes, with minimal oversight, confidential disclosure agreements, research collaboration agreements, and material and software evaluation/use/transfer agreements with corporate and nonprofit entities. Interacts independently with faculty, staff, and ODU Office of General Counsel, as well as representatives of academic and commercial organizations, to ensure agreements compliance. Contribute to the maintenance of complete records of all disclosed CDAs/NDAs, MTAs, CRADAS and other agreements by ODU to support research and assist with education for university faculty, students, & staff on contract compliance issues. Prepares periodic reports as requested. Performs related responsibilities as required.

Position Type

FullTime

Type of Recruitment

General Public

Minimum Qualifications

Considerable knowledge of contract terms and conditions relevant to intellectual property and academic research, specifically regarding Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs).

Working knowledge of federal and state regulations governing research compliance, such as the Bayh-Dole Act, the Virginia Code, and ethical requirements regarding human tissue and animal research.

Working knowledge of agreement management databases (e.g., Sophia Knowledge Management System) and records retention standards.

Skill in drafting, editing, and finalizing complex legal agreements with precision and attention to detail.

Working skill in conducting negotiations with external parties (corporate, nonprofit, and federal entities) to align terms with institutional interests.

Skill in the use of standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel) and specialized knowledge management systems to maintain accurate records of disclosed agreements.

Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal oversight while interacting with faculty, staff, and the Office of General Counsel to manage the lifecycle of agreements.

Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships with diverse external partners, including industry representatives, federal agencies, and military commands.

Demonstrated ability to analyze complex information to ensure that university contracts do not conflict with Old Dominion University Research Foundation ( ODURF ) contracts or internal guidelines.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, such as monitoring compliance reports from collaborators while tracking agreements in accordance with university retention standards.

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Legal Studies, Natural Science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.

Prior basic working experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and agreements, preferably in the area(s) of research administration and/or technology licensing at a college or university.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior basic working experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and agreements, preferably in the area(s) of research administration and/or technology licensing at a college or university.

Conditions of Employment

This position is required to complete a Statement of Personal Economic Interest upon hire in accordance with the Code of Virginia.

Job Open Date 08/24/2026

Open Until Filled Yes

Application Review Date 12/01/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants / Additional Materials Required

Criminal Background Check

Criminal Background Check The final candidate is required to complete a criminal history check.

Department Information

Equity Statement There is the policy of Old Dominion University to provide equal employment, educational and social opportunities for all persons, without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), national origin, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation or genetic information. Individuals from minoritized communities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Reasonable Accommodation Request If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation, please contact the Division of Talent Management and Culture at [phone].

Old Dominion University, located in Norfolk, is Virginia’s forward-focused public doctoral research university with more than 23,000 students, a top R1 research ranking, rigorous academics, an energetic residential community and initiatives that contribute $2.6 billion annually to Virginia’s economy.

Required Documents

• Resume

Optional Documents

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

If you have questions:

Staff and Administrative & Professional Faculty applicants, please contact the Division of Talent Management and Culture at [phone] or [e-mail].

Teaching and Research Faculty applicants, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs at [e-mail].