Industry Research Agreements Administrator, Senior

Overview

The organization is seeking a Senior Industry Research Agreements Administrator to independently manage and negotiate complex sponsored project agreements funded by industry partners. This role identifies and mitigates legal and business risks, ensures compliance with institutional policies, laws, and regulations, and provides creative solutions to balance compliance needs with the research project.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage, analyze, draft, negotiate, and execute complex sponsored project agreements funded by industry partners, including but not limited to:
  • Clinical trial agreements
  • Collaboration agreements
  • Investigator-initiated agreements
  • Sponsored research agreements
  • Master agreements
  • Business associate agreements
• Negotiate contract terms, incorporate appropriate terms, and draft terms as needed, working with multiple contracting parties to ensure requirements of both the organization and the industry sponsor are met while mitigating risk.
• Maintain the integrity of the research plan and protect intellectual property rights of the principal investigator and the organization.
• Consult and collaborate with relevant internal stakeholders, including CRSO, Collaborations and Entrepreneurship, Legal, Risk Management, ORIO, the funder/sponsor and affiliates, and the principal investigator and department as appropriate.
• Ensure contract payment schedules, budgets, reporting requirements, termination schedules, and deliverable schedules are complete, compatible with organizational policy, practicable, and in the best interest of the principal investigator and the organization.
• Use extensive knowledge of applicable organizational policy, public laws, regulations, and guidelines to translate program requirements into contract terms.
• Verify necessary internal prior approvals, compliance requirements, and documentation of subcontract institutions.
• Provide superior customer service to internal and external contacts.
• Communicate clearly and reliably with sponsors on behalf of the organization.
• Provide subject matter expertise across the institution, including departments, hospital, foundation, and other contracting groups.
• Develop and maintain working partnerships with IRB, CRSO, and other internal offices as needed.
• Actively participate as a team member by assisting others and sharing information.

Training

• Provide leadership and training on internal processes and procedures to departmental staff and stakeholders, including training Contract Administrators and Contract Coordinators.
• Draft or modify policies, guidance, strategies, and practices to ensure researchers comply with contractual obligations, including compliance with applicable state and federal regulation in conjunction with organizational policies.
• Develop contractual language, standard terms and clauses, templates, and master agreements for training and use by the Industry Agreement team.
• Participate in externally focused departmental initiatives, such as contracts formal and informal training for department staff or faculty, brown-bag training sessions, and Research Administration Information Network (RAIN) meetings.
• Serve as a resource for department staff and study teams.

General Responsibilities

• Stay current with organizational RDA, CRSO, ORIO, and OPAM policies and procedures.
• Maintain proficiency with university information systems, including but not limited to: InfoEd, Cognos, eCRIS, OGA, IRB, IACUC, IBC, and Conflict of Interest in Research.
• Participate in training opportunities to build skills and increase knowledge.
• Support process improvement by helping identify, evaluate, and develop more efficient and cost-effective processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus five years of experience in federal and/or industry contract negotiation; OR
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must possess or attain within 6 months of hire OHSU signature authority for the specified contract type within portfolio.

Skills and Abilities

• High degree of independence and autonomy; ability to identify and escalate issues appropriately.
• Ability to train and mentor others on understanding and negotiating contract language.
• Ability to use independent professional judgment, take initiative, maintain a strong work ethic, and demonstrate a positive attitude.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships and maintain professionalism with faculty, staff, and external funding agencies.
• Demonstrated excellent analytical skills to understand and synthesize complex guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent communication skills to interpret, convey, explain, and uphold regulatory requirements and contract language to administrative and investigator clients.
• Ability to adapt to new or changed electronic systems and processes.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environment with competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to accurately comprehend and interpret medical and scientific terminology, concepts, and methodology.
• Ability to negotiate with multiple parties and reach mutually satisfactory results.
• Thorough understanding of budgeting principles and procedures.

Location

• Fully remote position within the United States.
• If employee chooses to utilize campus flex space, it’s a typical office environment.
• Possible travel to national meetings.
• Regular work hours to be coordinated with manager.
• Work schedule falls within the normal daytime range of 7:30am–5:00pm Pacific time.

Compensation & Benefits

• Healthcare for full-time employees covered 100% and 88% for dependents.
• $50K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from.
• Vacation: up to 200 hours per year, dependent on length of service.
• Sick Leave: up to 96 hours per year.
• 9 paid holidays per year.
• Substantial Tri-Met and C-Tran discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Childcare service discounts.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts to local and national businesses.