Associate Director, Corporate Contracts

University of Pennsylvania•Houma, LA

6d•$109,000 - $125,000

About The Position

The Associate Director will report to the Director of Corporate Contracts at the Penn Center for Innovation. As a key member of the Corporate Contracts team, this individual will be responsible for implementing research agreements on behalf of Penn. Structuring and negotiation of these transactions will be performed in close coordination with the various PCI business development teams. Primary duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: (a) Drafting, reviewing, negotiating and finalizing research-related contracts with industrial partners, including, but not limited to sponsored research, collaboration, data sharing, corporate services, non-disclosure (CDA) and material transfer agreements (MTA), (b) Providing excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders, (c) Working closely with PCI's business development teams to identify new commercialization opportunities; (d) Working in partnership with licensing officers to review non-standard IP provisions in contracts and modify, as required; (e) Problem solve issues associated with corporate contract agreements in coordination with other administrative offices (e.g. Office of Research Services), Departments and Schools, as required; (f) Providing guidance to Penn staff on Penn research administration systems and processes, ensuring compliance with electronic research administration systems (e.g. Penn ERA, Inteum and the Research Inventory System); and (g) Providing direction and guidance to colleagues and various stakeholders on how to navigate Penn's research administration systems.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science and 7 to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Previous experience in contract negotiation
Understanding of research environment, preferably in higher education; excellent customer service skills
Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree required, M.D., PhD, J.D., or equivalent doctoral degree strongly preferred, plus 5-7 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

Responsibilities

Work in partnership with licensing officers and other business development professionals in PCI to (a) review, modify, and/or incorporate, as necessary, non-standard IP-related provisions during contract drafting and negotiation, and (b) help resolve intellectual property issues.
Work closely with Licensing, Corporate Alliances, and PCI Ventures officers to identify new commercialization opportunities and to assist in the implementation of associated agreements.
Provide input and guidance to Corporate Contracts administrative personnel and other contract negotiators, both within PCI and other Penn departments e.g., Office of Research Services
Providing excellent customer service to Penn faculty, licensing officers, and other business development professionals, corporate contacts, and all customers/partners both inside & outside of Penn
Draft, review, negotiate & finalize sponsored research agreements and collaboration agreements with industrial partners in a timely and responsive manner
Draft, review, negotiate & finalize other corporate contracts, including, but not limited to, service agreements, data sharing agreements, individual and program consulting agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and material transfer agreements in a timely and responsive manner.

Benefits

Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.