Senior Sponsored Contracts Specialist in Sponsored Projects Administration

We are looking for a Sponsored Contracts Specialists who will in and, within the office Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), be responsible for the coordination, review, negotiation, and acceptance of agreements with state, foundation, academic, and industry partners. On agreements that contain complex or atypical intellectual property (IP) or data/materials ownership issues, terms, and conditions. This specialist will partner with the Office of Technology Management (OTM). They will assist Sponsored Projects team members with the interpretation and application of Intellectual property terms, rules and regulations.  You will help negotiate contracts that can include subjects such as what we do with intellectual property, how materials will be transferred, or how compliance will be enforced.  You will be looking at and analyzing SOWs and contracts to make sure that UTHealth can meet requirements asked for, and that we are all set for any language about approvals or conditions.  You will need to be a problem solver who can think critically and communicate complex projects in simple terms.  You will also need an understanding of budgets and institutional administrative and compliance rules. Ideally, candidates will come with experience in either research or contracts, and it is suggested you have at least one or the other if not both. 

This role is full time and it is classified as exempt.  It is eligible for all UTHealth benefits including employer paid healthcare for individuals and one of the best pension plans in the Texas Medical Center.  You will be working at our University Center Tower location at the intersection of Fannin and Pressler.  During training you may be coming in frequently, but ultimately the schedule is a hybrid one with some days remote and others in the office.  

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:  

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees  
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year) 
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue! 
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service) 
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan! 

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as... 

• Free financial and legal counseling 
• Free mental health counseling services 
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs 
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc. 
• Resources for child and elder care 
• Plus many more! 

Position Summary:

In partnership with the Office of Technology Management (OTM) and Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), responsible for the coordination, review, negotiation, and acceptance of all research agreements   with industry that contain complex or atypical intellectual property (IP) or data/materials ownership issues,  terms and conditions. Develops and administers procedures designed to comply with appropriate regulations relating to the administration of government and private research contracts and other sponsored projects for the interpretation and application of such procedures and regulations.

Position Key Accountabilities:

1.  Coordinates SPA and OTM internal discussions and attends meetings with Principal Investigator (PI) to help determine the relationship between the PI, the commercial entity and UTHealth.  Further determines the intellectual property agreement terms needed and obtains approval of such language.
2.  Negotiates and prepares industry contracts for investigator-initiated studies and other sponsored projects agreements with complex or atypical IP or data/materials ownership terms and conditions, ensuring compliance with Federal, State, UT System, and institutional requirements, as well as adherence to terms and conditions of existing agreements relating to the same IP and data/materials.
3.  Serves as subject matter expert for the Sponsored Projects Grants and Contract team in review and evaluation of non-industry grants and contracts to ensure appropriate IP and data/materials ownership terms and conditions are included in each document and are congruent across all documents, assists in revising language as needed.
4.  Works with schools/departments, Legal Affairs, Technology Management, CPHS, Procurement, and UT System to resolve problems and negotiate issues related to IP and data/materials ownership.
5.  Coordinates project account setup with the post-award team.
6.  Develops and maintains agreement templates, master agreements, and document library of pre-approved terms and conditions, exceptions and justifications.
7.  Participates in on-campus trainings and forums to disseminate information and guidance on IP and contractual regulations and policy to faculty and departmental administrators.
8.  Performs other duties as assigned.