College/Unit: Research Innovation Office
Department: Technology Commercialization
Job Code: 9781GC
Job Code Title: G&C Officer 1 - G&C Generalist
Working Title: Senior Contract Administrator
Salary Range: 95K - 100K

The Senior Contracts Administrator will be responsible for high-level contract administration for the Technology Commercialization (Tech Comm) office. The focus of this role will be agreement compliance, development and implementation of licensing contractual standard operating procedures norms and creation of guidance materials for Tech Comm., They will also assist with and coordination between Tech Comm and with other multiple functional units within the University.
The Senior Contracts Administrator will be the primary point of contact and team lead for Tech Comm contract administration. The incumbent will lead discussions with other UMN departments and external parties to advance contractual agreements related to UMN Tech Comm. 
This role has potential for growth and scope expansion to meet the ever-evolving needs of Tech Comm contract administration.

This position has been designated as Profile 3.  Profile 3 employees are expected to work remotely more than 50% of the time. Your dedicated office space will be in your remote work location.  Tech Comm management retains the right to modify flexible work arrangement agreements on a temporary or permanent basis for any reason at any time.

Core Responsibilities:
Agreement Compliance Program Design & Management (50%) 
● Design Compliance Program for Licenses
● Systematic review of licensee obligations for existing license agreements, including federal reporting requirements, financial obligations, non-financial obligations, and other terms
● Coordinate with multiple groups including Tech Comm Licensing Officers, Technology Strategy Managers, IP Administration, Tech Comm Finance, and UMN General Counsel
● Identify tools and systems (i.e. AI, data collection software, survey tools, etc.)
● Design contract termination process, administer terminations as needed

Contract Administration (30%) 
● Administer Tech Comm agreements including: 
●Inter-Institutional Agreements 
●Complex Plant Material Testing Agreements 
● Other complex legal agreements as needed
● Collaborate with the Tech Comm portfolio managers, licensing officers, and other UMN Partners (including General Counsel, External Sales, University Relations, Sponsored Projects Administration, and others) to understand the evolving needs and priorities of Tech Transfer contracts
● Develop norms and best practices for Tech Comm contract terms and language
Tech Comm Process Review and Improvement (10%) 
● Attend weekly decision-making meetings for patenting and marketing strategies
● Periodically attend Technology Licensing and Technology Strategy Group meetings 
● Provide recommendations to Tech Comm leadership and drive change
● Analyze current contract process documentation and lead refinements as needed 
Team Lead (10%) 
● Provide daily work guidance to the Contracts team 
● Work with Tech Comm Leadership to determine prioritization of work to align with office goals 
● Develop, update, maintain and standardize process procedures for the Contracts team  
● Provide timely, accurate reporting of metrics on agreements executed and processed 

 

Required: 
● BA/BS degree plus at least six years of experience.
● Experience administering and managing complex contracts
● Excellent communication, interpersonal, customer service skills and strong attention to detail
● Ability to be resourceful and proactive when issues and/or emergencies arise
● Able to work independently and with others and with diverse populations; 
● Able to handle interruptions, prioritize workload, follow-up and meet deadlines;
● Innovative thinker with strong conceptual and problem-solving skills; 
● Proficiency using Google products and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint). 

Preferred: 
● Six or more years of legal administrative experience, preferably with legal agreements
● Senior Paralegal Experience 
● External Audit Experience
● Experience working in a higher education setting 
● Advanced degree (JD, MS, PhD, MBA) 

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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