Director - Agreements

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital•Remote - TN, TN

1d•$160,160 - $329,680•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director - Agreements role will play a critical role in supporting our innovation-driven mission by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of agreements related to intellectual property (IP), research collaborations, and the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies. This position may be eligible for remote work. However, St. Jude requires all remote employees to travel to our Memphis campus for the interview process and/or orientation, if selected, and to travel to Memphis to work on-site for one week per quarter, or as requested based on business needs, if hired.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Nine (9) years experience required with a Bachelor’s degree.
Seven (7) years experience required with Master’s/PhD.
Five (5) years experience required with JD.
Demonstrated expertise in drafting and negotiating complex IP-related agreements.
Proven background/work history in life sciences mergers and acquisitions, asset purchase transactions, and licensing transactions.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree, JD, Master’s or PhD in life sciences, engineering or business, preferred.
Experience with university, government, or industry research environments is a plus.

Responsibilities

Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of contracts, including technology license agreements, material transfer agreements (MTAs), nondisclosure agreements (NDAs), sponsored research agreements, collaboration agreements, and other IP-related documents.
Advise internal stakeholders on legal risks, obligations, and best practices related to technology transfer and commercialization activities.
Support technology transfer operations by ensuring compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and institutional policies (e.g., Bayh-Dole Act, export control, GDPR, etc.).
Collaborate with inventors, researchers, business development, and external partners to facilitate the protection and commercialization of intellectual property.
Conduct due diligence for potential licensing, partnership, and commercialization opportunities.
Provide guidance on IP strategy, including patent, copyright, and trademark matters as they pertain to technology transactions.
Develop and deliver training sessions for staff and faculty on contract processes, IP rights, and compliance topics.
Stay abreast of legal developments and trends in technology transfer, IP law, and commercialization.