Job Summary
The Associate Director for Industry Contracts provides strategic
leadership and operational oversight for the University's Industry
Contracts Team within the Office of Sponsored Projects. This
position directs the negotiation, execution, and administration of
a broad portfolio of industry-sponsored research agreements,
including research agreements, clinical research agreements,
confidentiality agreements, data use agreements, material transfer
agreements, subcontracts, service agreements, and related sponsored
project transactions.
The Associate Director supervises professional staff responsible
for negotiating sponsored research agreements, establishes
operational priorities and performance expectations, develops and
implements business processes, and ensures consistent application
of University policies and applicable sponsor requirements. The
position works collaboratively with faculty, colleges, University
leadership, the Office of General Counsel, Technology Licensing
Office, Research Security Office, Risk Management, and other
administrative partners to facilitate timely execution of
agreements while appropriately managing institutional risk.
This position serves as a senior advisor on industry-sponsored
research contracting, develops operational strategies to improve
efficiency and customer service, resolves complex contractual and
legal issues, and supports institutional initiatives to expand
industry-sponsored research and strategic partnerships.
Learn more about the great benefits of working for
University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu
The department may choose to hire at any of the below job
levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and
budget.
Responsibilities
- Direct and supervise the daily operations of the Industry
Contracts Team, including assigning workload, establishing
priorities, managing performance, and supporting the professional
development of staff.
Lead the negotiation, review, interpretation, and execution of
complex industry-sponsored research agreements and related
contractual instruments.
Provide strategic guidance to contract officers regarding
legal, financial, regulatory, intellectual property, publication,
confidentiality, indemnification, insurance, data security, export
control, and other contractual issues.
Establish operational goals, policies, standard operating
procedures, and quality assurance measures to promote consistency,
efficiency, and continuous improvement.
Serve as the primary escalation point for complex contract
negotiations requiring executive judgment or coordination across
multiple University offices.
Develop collaborative relationships with faculty, department
administrators, college leadership, external sponsors, and
University administrative offices to facilitate successful research
partnerships.
Coordinate with the Office of General Counsel, Technology
Licensing Office, Research Security Office, Risk Management,
Purchasing, and other institutional stakeholders on complex
contractual matters.
Monitor workload, operational metrics, contract turnaround
times, customer service performance, and staffing needs; recommend
and implement process improvements to enhance operational
effectiveness.
Interpret and communicate University policies, federal
regulations, sponsor requirements, and emerging legal and
regulatory developments affecting sponsored research
contracting.
Develop and deliver training, guidance documents, and
educational resources for faculty, research administrators, and
contract professionals.
Support strategic initiatives to expand and diversify the
University's sponsored research portfolio through effective
industry engagement and operational excellence.
Represent the Office of Sponsored Projects on institutional
committees, cross-functional workgroups, and external professional
organizations.
Participate in organizational planning, budgeting, staffing,
and resource allocation for the Industry Contracts program.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education
can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience
(Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work
experience).
Associate Director: Requires a bachelor's (or
equivalency) + 10 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 8 years of
directly related work experience.
Preferences
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
- Demonstrated experience negotiating and administering complex
sponsored research agreements, including industry-sponsored
research contracts, clinical trial agreements, confidentiality
agreements, data use agreements, material transfer agreements, and
intellectual property-related agreements, ideally within
institutions of higher education.
- Significant leadership experience supervising professional
staff, managing operational performance, and fostering employee
development in a collaborative, customer-focused environment.
- Extensive knowledge of sponsored research administration within
institutions of higher education, including federal regulations,
sponsor requirements, University policies, and research compliance
considerations.
- Demonstrated understanding of intellectual property principles,
technology commercialization, publication rights, data rights,
research security, export control, and related legal issues
affecting academic research.
- Proven ability to balance institutional risk management with
strategic business objectives while facilitating productive
research partnerships.
- Demonstrated success leading organizational change,
implementing process improvements, and improving operational
efficiency through data-informed decision making.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the
ability to effectively advise faculty, executive leadership,
sponsors, legal counsel, and research administration
professionals.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability
to independently evaluate complex contractual, legal, and
operational issues and develop practical solutions.
- Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships
across organizational boundaries and work effectively with diverse
internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience establishing operational metrics, managing
performance, and leading continuous quality improvement
initiatives.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the
ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced
environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to providing exceptional customer
service while maintaining high standards of compliance,
professionalism, and operational excellence.
Special Instructions
Requisition Number: PRN45961B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: Days
Department: 00644 - Office of Sponsored Projects
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $125,000 - $145,000
Close Date: 11/19/2026
Open Until Filled:
To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/9778838"">https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/207718
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