Primary Location:
OFFICE OF VC FOR RESEARCH
Bargaining Unit:
No
The City University of New York is seeking an Assistant Director of Contracts for the Office of Research. This skilled professional will help foster, strengthen, and sustain the CUNY innovation ecosystem by enabling technology commercialization activity across the University's 26 colleges and schools. The Assistant Director of Contracts will help grow CUNY's capacity for faculty entrepreneurship and technology transfer to industry or other external entities by preparing, reviewing, and/or supporting the negotiation of complex legal agreements. Reporting to the Director of the CUNY Technology Commercialization Office, the Assistant Director of Contracts will facilitate and expedite the execution of legal documents associated with intellectual property and sponsored research in higher education.
In addition to the position overview, other key duties include, but will not be limited to the following:
- Support CUNY attorneys in contract and agreement negotiations as necessary.
- Ensure all terms, conditions, and clauses of legal agreements executed by the University are fully compliant with CUNY, governmental, and/or sponsor policies and procedures.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for relevant IP legal agreement processes inclusive of both internal stakeholders (e.g. CUNY faculty, attorneys, research administrators) and external stakeholders (e.g. licensees, sponsors, collaborators) regarding the status of contract negotiations.
- Collaborate with OR colleagues, such as those in the Technology Commercialization Office (TCO) and Research Integrity and Compliance (RIC) division, to provide subject matter expertise and project partnership.
- Coordinate with CUNY Office of General Counsel (OGC) and/or Research Foundation of CUNY Legal Affairs to draft or revise agreement terms and conditions associated with research agreements, MOUs, MTAs, NDAs, and IP licensing agreements.
- Conduct effective communication of potential contract risks to internal CUNY stakeholders at all levels.
- Maintain, and update activity databases and task trackers to ensure all documents are processed in an expedited and complete manner.
- Deliver educational content and training to faculty regarding legal agreements and technology commercialization process.
- Travel to CUNY colleges and schools in the five boroughs as necessary to perform position duties.
Minimum Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree with at least 6 years of relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications:- Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Ph.D. degree in STEM fields is strongly preferred, can substitute two years of relevant experience
- Significant experience with reviewing, structuring, drafting, and/or negotiating a variety of commercial agreements, including but not limited to confidential disclosure agreements, material transfer agreements, software licensing, professional services, intellectual property licensing, and other complex commercial agreements.
- Demonstrated ability for advanced critical thinking, independent work process, and initiative.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise superb judgement in a fast-paced, high-pressured environment with strict deadlines and multiple projects.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.
- Substantial experience with institutions of higher education, and knowledge of federal guidelines, regulations, and policies for research and technology transfer in a university setting.
- Substantial experience with sponsored projects and/or research administration and compliance practices.
- Substantial experience with project management principles and best practices.
NOTE: Until further notice, this is a hybrid position, eligible to work a combination of remote AND on-site in the office.
Pay Range:
$94,000 - $120,000
RFCUNY BenefitsRFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals
