Legal Counsel Management

University of Utah; Campus (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Utah seeks an Associate Director for Industry Contracts to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the Industry Contracts Team within the Office of Sponsored Projects. This role directs negotiation, execution, and administration of a broad portfolio of industry-sponsored agreements and related transactions.

The position leads staff, sets priorities, develops processes, ensures policy compliance, and partners with General Counsel, Licensing, Research Security,

Qualifications

• J.D. preferred for contract authority and risk management.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required for senior leadership track.
• Extensive experience negotiating and administering complex sponsored research agreements.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily operations of the Industry Contracts Team and manage workload.
• Lead negotiation and execution of complex industry-sponsored agreements.
• Provide strategic guidance on legal, financial, regulatory, IP, publication, confidentiality, and export control issues.
• Establish policies, SOPs, and QA measures to improve consistency and efficiency.
• Escalate complex negotiations requiring executive judgment.
• Develop relationships with faculty, sponsors, and university offices to enable partnerships.
• Coordinate with General Counsel, Licensing, and other stakeholders on contract matters.
• Monitor performance metrics and drive process improvements.
• Communicate university policies and sponsor requirements to stakeholders.
• Deliver training and guidance for staff and faculty on contracting matters.
• Support expansion of sponsored research portfolio through industry engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Contract management

Strategic planning

Communication

Project management

Risk management

Staff development

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

Job Summary

The Associate Director for Industry Contracts provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the University’s Industry Contracts Team within the Office of Sponsored Projects. This position directs the negotiation, execution, and administration of a broad portfolio of industry-sponsored research agreements, including research agreements, clinical research agreements, confidentiality agreements, data use agreements, material transfer agreements, subcontracts, service agreements, and related sponsored project transactions.

The Associate Director supervises professional staff responsible for negotiating sponsored research agreements, establishes operational priorities and performance expectations, develops and implements business processes, and ensures consistent application of University policies and applicable sponsor requirements. The position works collaboratively with faculty, colleges, University leadership, the Office of General Counsel, Technology Licensing Office, Research Security Office, Risk Management, and other administrative partners to facilitate timely execution of agreements while appropriately managing institutional risk.

This position serves as a senior advisor on industry-sponsored research contracting, develops operational strategies to improve efficiency and customer service, resolves complex contractual and legal issues, and supports institutional initiatives to expand industry-sponsored research and strategic partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise the daily operations of the Industry Contracts Team, including assigning workload, establishing priorities, managing performance, and supporting the professional development of staff.
• Lead the negotiation, review, interpretation, and execution of complex industry-sponsored research agreements and related contractual instruments.
• Provide strategic guidance to contract officers regarding legal, financial, regulatory, intellectual property, publication, confidentiality, indemnification, insurance, data security, export control, and other contractual issues.
• Establish operational goals, policies, standard operating procedures, and quality assurance measures to promote consistency, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex contract negotiations requiring executive judgment or coordination across multiple University offices.
• Develop collaborative relationships with faculty, department administrators, college leadership, external sponsors, and University administrative offices to facilitate successful research partnerships.
• Coordinate with the Office of General Counsel, Technology Licensing Office, Research Security Office, Risk Management, Purchasing, and other institutional stakeholders on complex contractual matters.
• Monitor workload, operational metrics, contract turnaround times, customer service performance, and staffing needs; recommend and implement process improvements to enhance operational effectiveness.
• Interpret and communicate University policies, federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and emerging legal and regulatory developments affecting sponsored research contracting.
• Develop and deliver training, guidance documents, and educational resources for faculty, research administrators, and contract professionals.
• Support strategic initiatives to expand and diversify the University’s sponsored research portfolio through effective industry engagement and operational excellence.
• Represent the Office of Sponsored Projects on institutional committees, cross-functional workgroups, and external professional organizations.
• 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 work experience).

Associate Director: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 10 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 8 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating and administering complex sponsored research agreements, including industry-sponsored research contracts, clinical trial agreements, confidentiality agreements, data use agreements, material transfer agreements, and intellectual property-related agreements, ideally within institutions of higher education.
• Significant leadership experience supervising professional staff, managing operational performance, and fostering employee development in a collaborative, customer-focused environment.
• Extensive knowledge of sponsored research administration within institutions of higher education, including federal regulations, sponsor requirements, University policies, and research compliance considerations.
• Demonstrated understanding of intellectual property principles, technology commercialization, publication rights, data rights, research security, export control, and related legal issues affecting academic research.
• Proven ability to balance institutional risk management with strategic business objectives while facilitating productive research partnerships.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change, implementing process improvements, and improving operational efficiency through data-informed decision making.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively advise faculty, executive leadership, sponsors, legal counsel, and research administration professionals.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to independently evaluate complex contractual, legal, and operational issues and develop practical solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across organizational boundaries and work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience establishing operational metrics, managing performance, and leading continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing exceptional customer service while maintaining high standards of compliance, professionalism, and operational excellence.

Type

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at [phone] or [phone] or University Human Resource Management at [phone] if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX ( OEO ). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page .

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu

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As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members , a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.