Job Details

Associate Director - Industry Contracts

Position Number: 9778835
Location: Salt Lake City, United States
Position Type: Sponsored Programs, Grants, and Contracts

Associate Director - Industry Contracts

Job Summary

The Associate Director for Industry Contracts provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the University's Industry Contracts Team within the Office of Sponsored Projects. This position directs the negotiation, execution, and administration of a broad portfolio of industry-sponsored research agreements, including research agreements, clinical research agreements, confidentiality agreements, data use agreements, material transfer agreements, subcontracts, service agreements, and related sponsored project transactions.

The Associate Director supervises professional staff responsible for negotiating sponsored research agreements, establishes operational priorities and performance expectations, develops and implements business processes, and ensures consistent application of University policies and applicable sponsor requirements. The position works collaboratively with faculty, colleges, University leadership, the Office of General Counsel, Technology Licensing Office, Research Security Office, Risk Management, and other administrative partners to facilitate timely execution of agreements while appropriately managing institutional risk.

This position serves as a senior advisor on industry-sponsored research contracting, develops operational strategies to improve efficiency and customer service, resolves complex contractual and legal issues, and supports institutional initiatives to expand industry-sponsored research and strategic partnerships.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.

Responsibilities

Direct and supervise the daily operations of the Industry Contracts Team, including assigning workload, establishing priorities, managing performance, and supporting the professional development of staff.
Lead the negotiation, review, interpretation, and execution of complex industry-sponsored research agreements and related contractual instruments.
Provide strategic guidance to contract officers regarding legal, financial, regulatory, intellectual property, publication, confidentiality, indemnification, insurance, data security, export control, and other contractual issues.
Establish operational goals, policies, standard operating procedures, and quality assurance measures to promote consistency, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
Serve as the primary escalation point for complex contract negotiations requiring executive judgment or coordination across multiple University offices.
Develop collaborative relationships with faculty, department administrators, college leadership, external sponsors, and University administrative offices to facilitate successful research partnerships.
Coordinate with the Office of General Counsel, Technology Licensing Office, Research Security Office, Risk Management, Purchasing, and other institutional stakeholders on complex contractual matters.
Monitor workload, operational metrics, contract turnaround times, customer service performance, and staffing needs; recommend and implement process improvements to enhance operational effectiveness.
Interpret and communicate University policies, federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and emerging legal and regulatory developments affecting sponsored research contracting.
Develop and deliver training, guidance documents, and educational resources for faculty, research administrators, and contract professionals.
Support strategic initiatives to expand and diversify the University's sponsored research portfolio through effective industry engagement and operational excellence.
Represent the Office of Sponsored Projects on institutional committees, cross-functional workgroups, and external professional organizations.
Participate in organizational planning, budgeting, staffing, and resource allocation for the Industry Contracts program.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
Associate Director: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 10 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 8 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
Demonstrated experience negotiating and administering complex sponsored research agreements, including industry-sponsored research contracts, clinical trial agreements, confidentiality agreements, data use agreements, material transfer agreements, and intellectual property-related agreements, ideally within institutions of higher education.
Significant leadership experience supervising professional staff, managing operational performance, and fostering employee development in a collaborative, customer-focused environment.
Extensive knowledge of sponsored research administration within institutions of higher education, including federal regulations, sponsor requirements, University policies, and research compliance considerations.
Demonstrated understanding of intellectual property principles, technology commercialization, publication rights, data rights, research security, export control, and related legal issues affecting academic research.
Proven ability to balance institutional risk management with strategic business objectives while facilitating productive research partnerships.
Demonstrated success leading organizational change, implementing process improvements, and improving operational efficiency through data-informed decision making.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively advise faculty, executive leadership, sponsors, legal counsel, and research administration professionals.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to independently evaluate complex contractual, legal, and operational issues and develop practical solutions.
Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across organizational boundaries and work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
Experience establishing operational metrics, managing performance, and leading continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated commitment to providing exceptional customer service while maintaining high standards of compliance, professionalism, and operational excellence.

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN45961B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: Days
Department: 00644 - Office of Sponsored Projects
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $125,000 - $145,000
Close Date: 11/19/2026
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit <a href=""https://apptrkr.com/9778835"">https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/207718