Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) seeks to fill a position that will serve as a liaison between university stakeholders and external entities (companies, foundations, government agencies) to manage and negotiate a high volume of research-related contracts, ensuring compliance with university policies and regulatory requirements.
Requirements
- J.D. - Juris Doctor
- Relevant Experience (5 Years)
- Research Administration Or Contract Negotiation (2 Years)
- Contract Negotiations
- Drafting Agreements
- Negotiation
- Research Administration
Responsibilities
- Manages the contract portfolio of departments and schools including review and negotiation of all contract supported activities.
- This includes drafting and negotiating different types of agreements such as clinical research agreements, laboratory agreements, data use agreements, confidentiality agreements, collaboration agreements, foundation agreements, federal contracts, sponsored research and service agreements and sub-awards, taking into consideration the investigator’s needs and proactively identifying any special considerations.
- Reviews contract and agency guidelines regarding intellectual property, publication, communication, financial and indemnification terms to safeguard the interests of the university and principal investigators; flags and addresses unusual circumstances internally; provides alternative language and compelling explanations for alternative terms desired by the university.
- Maintains awareness of regulatory and policy changes impacting the office; maintains awareness of court decisions that impact contract negotiations; and interprets and disseminates contract related policies, regulations and guidelines to faculty and staff.
- Maintains electronic records that are consistent and current; this includes review of documents to ensure appropriateness and completeness; ensures integrity of data captured in contract tracking system; provides strategic data to senior administration through reports as requested.
- Uses judgment and an extensive amount of experience to adapt an advanced knowledge of skills, methods, practices, policies and procedures and a considerable degree of innovation, analysis and reasoning to independently plan and prioritize work that involves some extremely difficult problems and/or decisions.
- Evaluates the risk associated with a variety of transactions and agreements; maintains the standard operating procedures for contract service delivery.
Other
- The position thoughtfully expedites the negotiation of research contracts and upholding the institution’s business principles, policies and goals, while following any applicable government regulatory requirements.
- The position will oversee a large volume contract portfolio from negotiation to contract close out.
- It is expected that the person filling this position will be highly motivated and capable of recognizing potential problems and taking the initiative to address them, operating both independently and as an effective team member.
- Expertise and good judgment are required in planning and completing assignments, resolving conflicts, and coordinating work with others.
- A key ability of the person filling this position will be to complete multiple, simultaneous tasks, to work effectively under deadline pressure, and to successfully manage competing priorities with tact and efficiency.
