Description

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

Job 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.

Qualifications

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

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Include a cover letter with your application.