Director - Agreements

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital • Memphis, TN

4d

About The Position

There’s a reason St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital consistently earns a Glassdoor Employee Choice Award and is named to its "Best Place to Work" list. At our world-class pediatric research hospital, every one of our professionals shares our commitment to make a difference in the lives of the children we serve. There is a unique bond when you are part of a team that gives their all to advance the treatments and cures of pediatric catastrophic diseases. The result is a collaborative, positive environment where everyone, regardless of their role, receives the resources, support, and encouragement to advance and grow their careers. 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.

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.
• Strong understanding of agreements law.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
• 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 mergers and acquisitions 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director