"Director of Corporate Contracts, Penn Center for Innovation"

Job Description Summary

The Director of Corporate Contracts will report to the Deputy Managing Director of the Penn Center for Innovation (PCI). As the leader of the Corporate Contracts group, this individual will be responsible for day-to-day oversight of the Corporate Contracts team. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: (a) supervising the Corporate Contracts team in implementing research-related contracts with for-profit partners, including, but not limited to sponsored research, collaboration, data sharing, corporate services, non-disclosure and material transfer agreements; (b)drafting, reviewing, negotiating and finalizing research-related contracts with for-profit partners, including, but not limited to sponsored research, collaboration, data sharing, corporate services, non-disclosure and material transfer agreements; (c) providing excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders, (d) timely assignment and finalization of research-related agreements with industry partners; (e) working closely with PCI's business development teams to identify new commercialization opportunities; (f) working with members of the Corporate Contracts team to review and modify non-standard IP provisions in contracts and problem solve issues other contracting issues in coordination with the licensing team and other administrative offices (e.g. Office of Research Services), Departments and Schools, as required; (g)providing guidance to Penn staff, researchers and other stakeholders on navigating Penn research administration systems and processes, ensuring compliance with electronic research administration systems (e.g. Penn ERA, Minuet and the Research Inventory System); and (h) working in conjunction with the Deputy Managing Director and the Office of General Counsel to provide updates and modifications to template agreements, as required.

Job Responsibilities

• Supervise, train and support the Corporate Contracts team in implementing research-related contracts with for-profit partners, including, but not limited to sponsored research, collaboration, data sharing, corporate services, non-disclosure and material transfer agreements.
• Draft, review, negotiate & finalize research-related contracts with industrial partners including, but not limited to, sponsored research agreements, collaboration agreements, service agreements, data use agreements, material transfer agreements and confidentiality agreements in a timely and responsive manner.
• Manage assignment of agreements for the Corporate Contracts team and evaluate and prioritize agreement work-flow. Ensure that agreements between Penn and industry partners are implemented in a timely manner, and that the team is responsive to internal and external customers.
• Identify and lead (or support, as applicable) process improvements to enhance capabilities and performance of the Corporate Contracts team. Make recommendations for template modifications, standard fall-back positions and develop/update drafting guides, all in conjunction with the Corporate Contracts team, the Deputy Managing Director and OGC.
• Work with the other contracting offices (e.g. Office of Research Services, Office of Clinical Research, etc.) to review and modify any administrative procedures related to processing research-related contracts to ensure continuity across the university, as needed.
• Provide guidance to Penn staff, researchers and other stakeholders on navigating Penn research administration systems and processes, ensuring compliance with electronic research administration systems(e.g. Penn ERA, Minuet and the Research Inventory System).
• Provide support to the Deputy Managing Director of PCI and deputize as required in support of corporate contracting activities at Penn.

Qualifications

M.D., Ph.D., Law Degree, or equivalent doctoral degree with 5 - 7 years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Candidate must have a demonstrated track record of successfully negotiating and finalizing research-related contracts with the commercial sector. Candidate must have excellent supervisory and mentoring skills, time management and communication skills, strong attention to detail, and a demonstrated ability to provide outstanding customer service.

Application Requirement

A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.