Duke University Job Descriptions
Duke Job Postings
To see if there are current openings for any of the job descriptions listed on this web site, please search Duke Jobs.
DIR, OFFICE OF RESEARCH CONTRACTS
Job Title: DIR, OFFICE OF RESEARCH CONTRACTS
Job Code: 2070
FLSA: E
Job Level: 16
Revised Date: 08/01/2018
Job Family: JF 28
Occupational Summary
Manages, supervises and directs, the review, negotiation, drafting and processing of a wide variety of complex agreements relating to the conduct of clinical and/or non-clinical research at Duke with industry, government, non-profit foundations, subcontractors, and academic entities including exchanges of research materials, the licensing of research tools and know-how, and the conduct of research with commercial collaborators, all in a manner consistent with Duke Universitys Mission, Policies/Procedures, government guidelines, federal regulations and approved standards including those underlying Dukes non-profit tax status, good legal/business judgment, contracting and academic principles, and the experience of others within the department. Manages department staff so that the Universitys research agreements adhere to appropriate laws, policies, standards, regulations and guidelines. Develops, coordinates and maintains systems and procedures that support the efficient drafting, negotiation, processing and tracking of these varied agreements so that they are executed in a timely manner to support research in compliance with Duke standards. Serves as Duke's lead authorized representative in research agreement negotiations with third parties, and acts as the departments lead representative in internal University discussions.
Work Performed
Manages, directs and supervises, all of the departments research agreement operations including direct oversight of research agreement staff.
Manages, directs and supervises the review, drafting, negotiation, and processing of a wide variety of agreements and sub agreements based upon Duke templates, policies and procedures, government guidelines and regulations relating to research.
Is the key department contact for both internal and external parties for agreements relating to research at Duke, and the appropriate terms for those agreements.
Negotiates and supervises the negotiation of agreement terms directly with various internal and external contacts and stakeholders, and serves as Duke's senior representative in those negotiations and other relationships associated with these agreements.
Is the prime resource for other Duke Offices and members of the department with regard to contractual issues; research agreements and related processes.
Provides advice to applicable research teams and Principal Investigators regarding contractual requirements, liabilities, and risks.
Coordinates the processing of agreements with other Duke central offices as needed to ensure that each project has all approvals and compliance requirements in place prior to agreement execution.
Consults with the departments Managing Director regarding contract issues, and as necessary with other offices within the Duke School of Medicine and the University, for terms and conditions that require specialized input.
Recommends approval, or disapproval, of negotiated agreements by Managing Director.
Serves as institutional signatory for agreement types for which authority has been delegated.
Reviews and approves for University signature various agreements submitted by department Agreement Managers.
Alerts Managing Director when a resolution is not able to be reached in a timely manner, or when the sponsor will not accept terms requested and a solution cannot be agreed upon.
Proactively recommends alternative solutions to contractual issues that arise in the context of negotiations and attempts to reconcile the often conflicting perspectives of academia and industry within established guidelines and in a manner that complements and supports Duke's overall academic mission.
Maintains up to date records of all agreement negotiations through timely and accurate entries into the appropriate electronic system.
Uses departments tracking tools to analyze qualitative and quantitative measures for continual improvement of department performance; contributes to the further development and implementation of those tools and measures.
Leads contract management meetings contributing to the continuous improvement of department, its policies, processes and operations.
Implements departmental quality control procedures to effect the timely execution of all assigned agreements that meet organizational standards.
Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.
Required Qualifications at this Level
Education/Training
Work requires a Bachelor's degree. A Ph.D. in a biological sciences field or a post graduate law degree is strongly preferred.
Experience
Ten years experience in drafting, reviewing and negotiating agreements with a variety of entities including companies, academic centers, and government institutions, for the support of academic research, including agreements providing funding for clinical or nonclinical research, and agreements for the transfer of proprietary materials, data and information to enable such research. Five years of this experience may be replaced by three years direct scientific involvement in academic laboratory or clinical research.
Five years experience in managing and guiding team members
OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Skills
Supervision and leadership
Oral and written communication
Contractual negotiation
Interpersonal skills
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
