Contracts Specialist

Contracts Specialist

The Legal Services within the Office of General Counsel invites applications for a Contracts Specialist. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension. The University of Calgary is Canada's leading next-generation university a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. As a comprehensive academic and research institution, the University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines.

As a Contract Specialist, reporting to the Director, Research Agreements, you will play a central role in Research Legal - managing a portfolio of files, drafting agreements, negotiating changes and communicating with faculty members, internal units, external sponsors, and external counsel, as part of a high-energy team that is expected to produce top-quality results. Contract Specialists will be required to develop a strong understanding of the University's mission/goals and how this role supports the mission and goals.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

Agreements and Negotiations

• Manage all steps in the research agreement process, from information gathering, strategy development, drafting agreements, revising, negotiation, communication with external counsel and obtaining signatures with minimal supervision
• Accountable for the content in agreement, and will interpret content, propose alternate language, and determine when necessary to engage Director, Research Agreements or internal Legal Counsel
• Review agreements from external partners and determine if content is appropriate, escalating to Director, Research Agreements or internal Legal Counsel as necessary Identify and work to minimize legal and reputational risks to the University and its staff/faculty members

Conflict Management

• Independently manage conflict and balance the competing interests of faculty members, external partners and the University under constant time pressure Direct faculty members on the most suitable strategy and persuading external partners to follow such strategy for completing transactions

Communication

• Develop and maintain long-term, trustworthy and productive working relationships with all stakeholders, including University faculty members, University departments, and external sponsors. This may require leading one-on-one meetings with faculty members or making group presentations to other departments
• Actively share details and acquired knowledge with other team members to strengthen the team and advance the progression of legal files.This will involve active participation in team meetings, providing clear and concise file briefings and leading group discussions on contentious issues
• Mentorship and guidance of students and new members of the team will be expected
• Exchange information with the Director, Research Agreements on the status of files and expected time lines for completion Participate in long-range planning for the the Research Legal team, taking an active role in improvement of workflow and internal procedures

Workflow Management

• Manage and finalize a diverse portfolio of active legal files to ensure both individual and unit through-put goals are achieved
• Ensure agreements are completed in a timely fashion within unit standards
• Maintain highly-organized records in both electronic and paper format
• Independently establish priorities for completion of work
• Perform all necessary steps required to manage legal files

Policy and Program Interpretation

• Develop a strong understanding and ability to interpret and apply university policies governing research and commercialization
• Act as information resource on university policies to both internal and external stakeholders
• Understand, interpret, and help faculty members comply with operating procedures for a wide array of government grant programs

Qualifications / Requirements

• An undergraduate degree will be preferred, but will consider a combination of extensive work experience demonstrating the core abilities above and education
• Specialized training in contract management or negotiation will be considered an asset
• 4 to 7 years of specialized work experience in a professional environment supporting legal transactions or in a contract management role, but a combination of education and work experience drawing upon negotiation and problem-solving skills will be considered
• Experience working in a major University will be an asset
• Exhibits a professional, client-oriented attitude combined with proven ability to work as part of a team will be considered extremely valu