Contract Specialist

Old Dominion University; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Old Dominion University in Norfolk seeks a Contract Specialist to assist faculty, staff, and the Office of Innovations Commercialization in reviewing and managing unfunded contracts and agreements related to IP and academic research.

The role drafts and negotiates confidential disclosure agreements, collaboration agreements, and various material/software agreements, coordinating with ODURF and General Counsel to ensure compliance and proper records.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of contract terms related to IP and academic research, incl. NDAs, MTAs, CRADAs.
• Familiarity with federal/state regulations governing research compliance (Bayh-Dole Act, Virginia Code).
• Experience with agreement management databases and records retention standards.
• Ability to draft, edit, and finalize complex legal agreements with precision.

Responsibilities

• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts and agreements with minimal oversight.
• Maintain records of disclosed agreements (CDAs/NDAs, MTAs, CRADAs).
• Interact with faculty, staff, and General Counsel to ensure compliance.
• Prepare periodic reports and manage multiple priorities.

Skills

Contract terms knowledge

NDAs/MTAs/CRADAs

Negotiation skills

Legal drafting

Independent work

Relationship building

Office software

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Business Admin/Legal Studies)

Tools

Sophia Knowledge Management System

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Job Title

Contract Specialist

Department

V.P. FOR RESEARCH

Position Number

FP506A

Location

Norfolk, VA

Job Summary

The contract specialist provides assistance to faculty, staff, andOffice of Innovations Commercialization ( OIC ) personnel inreviewing, drafting and managing various unfunded contracts andagreements pertaining to intellectual property and academicresearch. Drafts, negotiates, and finalizes, with minimaloversight, confidential disclosure agreements, researchcollaboration agreements, and material and softwareevaluation/use/transfer agreements with corporate and nonprofitentities. Interacts independently with faculty, staff, and ODUOffice of General Counsel, as well as representatives of academicand commercial organizations, to ensure agreements compliance.Contribute to the maintenance of complete records of all disclosedCDAs/NDAs, MTAs, CRADAS and other agreements by ODU to supportresearch and assist with education for university faculty,students, & staff on contract compliance issues. Preparesperiodic reports as requested. Performs related responsibilities asrequired.

Position Type

FullTime

Type of Recruitment

General Public

Minimum Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of contract terms and condition relevant tointellectual property and academic research, specifically regardingNon-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Material Transfer Agreements(MTAs), and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements(CRADAs).
• Working knowledge of federal and state regulations governingresearch compliance, such as the Bayh-Dole Act, the Virginia Code,and ethical requirements regarding human tissue and animalresearch.
• Working knowledge of agreement management databases (e.g., SophiaKnowledge Management System) and records retention standards.
• Skill in drafting, editing, and finalizing complex legal agreementswith precision and attention to detail.
• Working skill in conducting negotiations with external parties(corporate, nonprofit, and federal entities) to align terms withinstitutional interests.
• Skill in the use of standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Word,Excel) and specialized knowledge management systems to maintainaccurate records of disclosed agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal oversightwhile interacting with faculty, staff, and the Office of GeneralCounsel to manage the lifecycle of agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professionalrelationships with diverse external partners, including industryrepresentatives, federal agencies, and military commands.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex information to ensure thatuniversity contracts do not conflict with Old Dominion UniversityResearch Foundation ( ODURF ) contracts or internalguidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously,such as monitoring compliance reports from collaborators whiletracking agreements in accordance with university retentionstandards.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, PublicAdministration, Legal Studies, Natural Science, or a related field,or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevantexperience.

Prior basic working experience

in drafting, reviewing, andnegotiating contracts and agreements, preferably in the area(s) ofresearch administration and/or technology licensing at a college oruniversity.

Preferred Qualifications

in drafting, reviewing, andnegotiating contracts and agreements, preferably in the area(s) ofresearch administration and/or technology licensing at a college oruniversity.

Conditions of Employment

This position is required to complete a Statement of PersonalEconomic Interest upon hire in accordance with the Code ofVirginia.

Job Open Date

08/24/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Application Review Date

08/31/2026

Criminal Background Check

The final candidate is required to complete a criminal historycheck.

Equity Statement

It is the policy of Old Dominion University to provide equalemployment, educational and social opportunities for all persons,without regard to race (or traits historically associated with raceincluding hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles suchas braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, sex or gender(including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions),national origin, gender identity or expression, age, veteranstatus, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation orgenetic information. Individuals from minoritized communities,women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged toapply.

Reasonable Accommodation Request

If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonableaccommodation, please contact the Division of Talent Management andCulture at [phone].

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The contractor will not discharge or in any other mannerdiscriminate against employees or applicants because they haveinquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay ofanother employee or applicant. However, employees who have accessto the compensation information of other employees or applicants asa part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay ofother employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwisehave access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is(a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtheranceof an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including aninvestigation conducted by the employer, or consistent withcontractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

ODU Statement

Old Dominion University, located in Norfolk, is Virginia’sforward-focused public doctoral research university with more than23,000 students, a top R1 research ranking, rigorous academics, anenergetic residential community and initiatives that contribute$2.6 billion annually to Virginia’s economy.