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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

(OPEN RANK: ASSISTANT / DIRECTOR) RESEARCH CONTRACTS & INDUSTRY AGREEMENTS (RCIA)

JOB_REQUIREMENTS

Hires in

Not specified

Employment Type

Not specified

Company Location

Not specified

Salary

Not specified

Number of Vacancies

Location

Rio Grande Valley, Texas

Department

Contracts & Industry Agreements

FTE

1.0

FLSA

Exempt

Scope of Job

To provide leadership and management to the Office of Research Contracts and Industrial Agreements and ensure compliance with relevant laws and institutional policies governing the draft, review, negotiation, and management of research and sponsored project agreements. Responsible to provide expert input on legal contract documents, including but not limited to terms and conditions, indemnification, intellectual property, etc.

Description of Duties

Assistant Director of Research Contracts & Industry Agreements

Manages the daily operations for the Office of Research Contracts and Industrial Agreements and ensures compliance with relevant laws and institutional policies governing the draft, review, negotiation, and management of research and sponsored project agreements.
Assists with supporting the contract agreement process, which includes but it is not limited to drafting, reviewing, and negotiating research-related agreements, such as material transfer agreements, data sharing/use agreements, confidentiality agreements, clinical trial/study agreements, memoranda of understanding, collaborative research agreements, sponsored project agreements, sub awards and intellectual property-related agreements for commercialization purposes, such as options, licenses, interinstitutional agreements.
Assists with facilitating the contracting process aligned with the institution’s strategic priorities to grow research.
Fosters and maintains relationships with researchers, sponsors, industry, and administrators at UTRGV. Engages with these groups to understand contractual requirements and deliver optimal agreement approaches that balance compliance, risk, and project goals.
Supervises and mentors assigned staff, manages workload, and conducts staff performance evaluation.
Ensures the timely and professional conclusion of agreement negotiations to enable prompt project start; informs relevant units of agreement execution and of relevant contracting requirements.
Assists with the development, managing, and updating agreement templates that comply with UT System Regents’ Rules and Policies, to be used as standards by the Contracts & Industry Agreements office.
Coordinates with the Office of General Counsel at UT System for the development and use of master agreements.
Collaborates closely with other UTRGV units on contract related activities as needed.
Assists with development and management of policies, procedures, handbooks, training guides etc. as needed. Promotes awareness on/of research contracting policies and procedures.
Analyzes and solves any contract-related problems that may arise with internal or external parties. Proactively monitors agreements and oversees the process for agreements close-outs, extensions, or renewals.
Keeps abreast of developments in the external research environment (changes in laws, policies, and regulations) that will impact research and sponsored project activities.
Participates in relevant professional networks and disseminates information to faculty and staff. Contributes to the development and delivery of training and presentation on aspects of the work pertaining to contracts and industrial agreements.
Coordinates the development of relevant website content for assigned areas with emphasis on customer service.
Contributes to the development and implementation of strategic opportunities and assess the unit operations for efficiency.
Manages a defined portfolio of research agreements.
Works collaboratively under the guidance of the Division of Research leadership for high-risk or complex negotiations.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Director of Research Contracts & Industry Agreements

Provides effective leadership and management to the Office of Research Contracts and Industrial Agreements and ensures compliance with relevant laws and institutional policies governing the draft, review, negotiation, and management of research and sponsored project agreements.
Oversees, drafts, reviews, and negotiates a wide variety of research-related agreements, including but not limited to sponsored projects agreements, sub-awards, materials transfer agreements, data sharing/use agreements, confidentiality agreements, clinical trial/study agreements, memorandum of understanding, collaborative research agreements, and options and licenses of intellectual property.
Provides expert advice to the campus community on research-related agreements and explains which agreement will be the most appropriate to address customer needs.
Works closely with stakeholders to facilitate the contracting process aligned with the institution’s strategic priorities to grow research.
Ensures the timely and professional conclusion of agreement negotiations to enable prompt project start; informs relevant units of agreement execution.
Ensures agreements comply with UT System Regents’ Rules and Policies by creating a database of approved templates to be used as standards for Contracts & Industry Agreements.
Leads all complex processes across functions, including legal and risks that may arise from internal or external performance issues.
Coordinates with the Office of General Counsel at UT System for the development and use of master agreements.
Collaborates closely with the Office of Procurement on contracts activities as needed. Serves as the subject matter expert and singular point of contact for matters concerning research contracts and agreements.
Fosters and maintains liaisons between researchers, sponsors, and UTRGV. Meets with customers to discuss both legal and business matters, including management risks, such as financial, legal, and security risks. Assists academic and professional services staff in ensuring that contractual obligations are understood and complied with.
Analyzes and solves any contract-related problems that may arise with internal or external parties. Proactively monitors agreements and timely processes close-outs, extensions, or renewals.
Ensures clear and programmatic advice is provided to campus community on the implication of contracting terms, and how to manage the activity in the context.
Provides support and expert advice on new potential contracting opportunities. Identifies opportunities to improve business processes and devises plans to implement these changes.
Keeps abreast of developments in the external research environment (changes in laws, policies, and regulations) that will impact research and sponsored project activities and provides relevant advice to division leadership.
Participates in relevant professional networks and disseminates information to faculty and staff. Contributes to the development and delivery of training and presentation on aspects of the work pertaining to contracts and industrial agreements.
Oversees and coordinates the development of relevant website content for assigned area with emphasis on customer service.
Participates in the development of institutional policies and procedures affecting contracts and agreements, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received

General supervision from assigned supervisor.

Supervision Given

Direct supervision of assigned staff.

Required Education

Assistant Director Research Contract and Industry Agreements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, plus three (3) years of related experience, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating research or intellectual property related agreements. Must possess knowledge of the unique legal, regulatory, and administrative factors that affect contract negotiations in a public university environment

Director of Research Contract and Industry Agreements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, plus Five (5) years of related experience, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating research or intellectual property related agreements. Must possess knowledge of the unique legal, regulatory, and administrative factors that affect contract negotiations in a public university environment.

Preferred Education

Master’s degree in Research Administration, Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Business Law & Compliance, Public Affairs or equivalent field from an accredited university, or Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

Licenses/Certifications

None.

Required Experience

Assistant Director Research Contract and Industry Agreements

Three (3) years of related experience, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating research or intellectual property related agreements. Must possess knowledge of the unique legal, regulatory, and administrative factors that affect contract negotiations in a public university environment.

Director of Research Contract and Industry Agreements

Five (5) years of related experience, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating research or intellectual property related agreements including supervisory experience. Previous experience working with contract regulations and related laws that affect contract negotiations in a public university environment.

Preferred Experience

More than the required experience in a supervisory position. Formal training and experience in sponsored research administration/intellectual property management and related topics.

Equipment

Use of standard office equipment, Microsoft suite programs, and other tools used by the Office of Contracts & Industry Agreements.

Working Conditions

Needs to be able to successfully perform all required duties. Position may require extended hours during proposal deadlines. Hybrid work options available consistent with institutional policy. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment and can be performed remotely within close proximity to a UTRGV campus. If the work is performed remotely, high-speed internet and a designated workspace are required. Occasional travel for professional development and weekend work is required. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. UTRGV is a distributed institution, which requires presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

Other

Demonstrate a solid understanding of legal terminology. Comfortable working and leading as part of a varied team. Demonstrates a strong attention to detail and willingness to upkeep high ethical and legal standards. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage and demonstrate leadership across multiple projects with shifting deadlines. Possesses excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to manage confidential information. Exemplifies creative problem-solving abilities. Demonstrated ability to perceive administrative and regulatory issues and conceptualize how to find solutions and research consensus and to complete complex tasks.

Physical Capabilities

N/A

Employment Category

Full-Time

Minimum Salary

Commensurate with Experience

Posted Salary

Commensurate with Experience

Position Available Date

12/23/2025

Grant Funded Position

If Yes, Provide Grant Expiration Date

Posting Detail Information

EEO Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Dear Applicant, Human Resources will not be held responsible for redacting any confidential information from the documents you attach with your application. The confidential information includes the following: *Date of Birth *Social Security Number *Gender *Ethnicity/Race Please make sure that you omit this information prior to submission. We are advising that Human Resources will be forwarding your application to the department as per your submission. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (956)665-8880 and/or careers@utrgv.edu.

Additional Information

UTRGV is a distributed location institution and working location is subject to change based on need.

All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check (CBC). Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Substitutions to the above requirements must have prior approval from the VP of HR & Talent Development .

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