DIRECTOR RESEARCH CONTRACTS AND INDUSTRY AGREEMENTS

DIRECTOR RESEARCH CONTRACTS AND INDUSTRY AGREEMENTS

Posting Number: SRGV6592
Number of Vacancies: 1
Location: McAllen, Texas
Department: Research Compliance and Export Control
FLSA: Exempt

Scope of Job:
To provide effective leadership and management to the Office of Research Contracts and Industrial Agreements and ensure compliance with relevant laws and institutional policies governing the draft, review, negotiation, and management of research and sponsored project agreements. Work closely with stakeholders to facilitate the contracting process aligned with the institution's strategic priorities to grow research; provide constructive input on legal contract documents, including but not limited to terms and conditions, indemnification, intellectual property, etc. Manage complex processes across functions, including legal and risks that may arise from internal or external performance issues.

Description of Duties:

• Oversees, drafts, reviews, and negotiates a wide variety of research-related agreements, including but not limited to sponsored projects agreements, sub-awards, materials transfer agreements, data sharing/use agreements, confidentiality agreements, clinical trial/study agreements, memorandum of understanding, collaborative research agreements, and options and licenses of intellectual property.
• Provides expert advice to the campus community on research-related agreements and explains which agreement will be the most appropriate to address customer needs.
• Ensures the timely and professional conclusion of agreement negotiations to enable prompt project start; informs relevant units of agreement execution.
• Ensures agreements comply with UT System Regents’ Rules and Policies by creating a database of approved templates to be used as standards for Contracts & Industry Agreements.
• Coordinates with the Office of General Counsel at UT System for the development and use of master agreements.
• Collaborates closely with the Office of Procurement on contracts activities as needed.
• Creates and maintains relationships with agencies and serves as the subject matter expert and singular point of contact for matters concerning research contracts and agreements.
• Fosters and maintains liaisons between researchers, sponsors, and UTRGV. Meets with customers to discuss both legal and business matters, including management risks, such as financial, legal, and security risks. Assists academic and professional services staff in ensuring that contractual obligations are understood and complied with.
• Analyzes and solves any contract-related problems that may arise with internal or external parties. Proactively monitors agreements and timely processes close-outs, extensions, or renewals.
• Provides clear and programmatic advice to campus community on the implication of contracting terms, and how to manage the activity in the context.
• Provides support and advice on new potential contracting opportunities. Identifies opportunities to improve business processes and devises plans to implement these changes.
• Keeps abreast of developments in the external research environment (changes in laws, policies, and regulations) that will impact research and sponsored project activities.
• Participates in relevant professional networks and disseminates information to faculty and staff. Contributes to the development and delivery of training and presentation on aspects of the work pertaining to contracts and industrial agreements.
• Coordinates the development of relevant website content for assigned area with emphasis on customer service.
• Contributes to the development of institutional policies and procedures affecting contracts and agreements, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received:
General supervision from assigned supervisor.

Supervision Given:
Direct supervision of assigned staff.

Required Education:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.

Preferred Education:
Legal, research administration, business administration, public affairs, nonprofit and contracting are preferred

Licenses/Certifications:
None.

Required Experience:
Five (5) years of related experience, including research and sponsored projects agreements and contracts drafting and negotiation. Previous experience working with contract regulations and the related laws.

Preferred Experience:
Formal training and experience in sponsored research administration/intellectual property management and related topics.

Equipment:
Use of standard office equipment, Microsoft suite programs, and other tools used by the Office of Contracts & Industry Agreements.

Working Conditions:
Needs to be able to successfully perform all required duties. Office Environment; some travel and weekend work is required. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. UTRGV is a distributed institution, which requires presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

Work is performed primarily in a general office environment to include hybrid work (subject to change based upon business needs). If the work is performed off campus, high-speed internet and a designated workspace are required.

Other:
Standard computer and software skills. Demonstrate a solid understanding of legal terminology. Comfortable working and leading as part of a diverse team. Demonstrates a strong attention to detail and willingness to upkeep high ethical and legal standards. Possesses superior organizational skills and the ability to manage and demonstrate leadership across multiple projects with shifting deadlines. Possesses excellent written and oral communication skills. Capable of professionally managing confidential information. Exemplifies creative problem-solving abilities experience. Demonstrated ability to perceive administrative and regulatory issues and conceptualize how to find solutions and research consensus and to complete complex tasks.

Physical Capabilities: N/A
Employment Category: Full-Time
Minimum Salary: Commensurate with Experience
Posted Salary: Commensurate with Experience
Position Available Date: 02/28/2023
Grant Funded Position: No
If Yes, Provide Grant Expiration Date:

EEO Statement:
It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Dear Applicant, Human Resources will not be held responsible for redacting any confidential information from the documents you attach with your application. The confidential information includes the following: *Date of Birth *Social Security Number *Gender *Ethnicity/Race Please make sure that you omit this information prior to submission. We are advising that Human Resources will be forwarding your application to the department as per your submission. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (956)665-8880 and/or careers@utrgv.edu.

Additional Information:
UTRGV is a distributed location institution and working location is subject to change based on need.

All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check (CBC). Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Substitutions to the above requirements must have prior approval from the Chief Human Resources Officer.

To apply, visit https://careers.utrgv.edu/postings/37697 jeid-05227b0bc18bb14084c57a48b5befcc3