Contract Support Specialist

**Contract Support Specialist**:
**Primary Purpose**: The CTSU Contracts team represents the University of Saskatchewan for all matters related to clinical trials conducted at the institute. The purpose of the Contract Specialist is to provide administrative support and management of clinical trial contracts for the CTSU, particularly CTSU Legal Counsel. The Contract Specialist requires excellent organizational skills and knowledge of the legal process pertaining to Clinical Trial contracts. The Contract Specialist must possess the ability to take responsibility of contract administration, preparations, and revisions to aid the CTSU Legal Counsel, and prioritize when there are multiple competing deadlines imposed by Sponsors.

**Nature of Work**: As a member of the CTSU Contracts team the Contract Specialist will report directly to the Director of Research and work closely with Legal Counsel and the Legal Office. The position is responsible for supporting all contracts related to clinical trials. The ability to effectively work both independently and collaboratively is required, as is the ability to manage low to moderate stress resulting from work pressure in an environment with a high volume of work. Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills are required.

**Accountabilities**:

- Facilitate the contracts review process with both internal and external researchers, administrators, and others.
- Responsible for all contract maintenance in the University Research System (UniVRS) which includes, but is not limited to, document and approval upload, fund open, closure, and amendments, and project review.
- Responsible for continuing to develop and oversee the general contract administration activities related to clinical trials at the institute, taking ownership of all contracts under portfolio with respect for deadlines
- Responsible for tracking and moving contracts forward efficiently and effectively, navigating the key relationships with external partners; SHA and SCA.
- Utilize the CTSUs Clinical Trial Management System (EDGE) governance workflow function for tracking of contracts and quarterly metrics reporting
- Work with the oversight team to improve contract processes with key stakeholders, such as the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (SCA)
- Act as the primary liaison with external partners (e.g., industry-sponsors, SHA, SCA) and various offices on campus (e.g. Research Ethics Board, Finance), as well as other CTSU teams
- Providing assistance to Legal Counsel in the provision of legal guidance, oversight, and expertise on contractual and other legal procedural matters to the CTSU Contracts and Management team
- Assist in the development and implementation of efficient processes to enable rapid start-up of industry-sponsored clinical trials conducted at the University of Saskatchewan,
- Assist with the development and roll out of master template agreements with key industry-sponsors, under the oversight of Legal Counsel
- Assist in the drafting, negotiation, and finalization of contracts for investigator-initiated clinical trials conducted at the University of Saskatchewan, under the oversight of Legal Counsel
- Other duties as required.

**Qualifications**:

- A Business College diploma or relevant legal assistant or paralegal diploma, certificate, or equivalent training would be an asset.
- Previous experience (1-3 years) in a legal, healthcare, or medical research setting will be considered an asset and preferred
- Ability to work under pressure and deal with conflicting priorities and deadlines
- Ability to understand and utilize legal terminology, language, and vocabulary; knowledge of medical terminology is an asset
- Superior communication skills, utilizing tact and diplomacy
- Ability to work independently with mínimal supervision within a dynamic team
- Problem-solving ability and enthusiasm will be highly valued
- Use and maintenance of computer database systems and data analysis,
- Experience with research processes in an academic setting would be considered an asset.

**Skills**: Exceptional organizational skills with the proven ability to work on multiple projects with competing demands to meet deadlines; demonstrated aptitude for successfully working in a team oriented environment; demonstrated sound judgment, tact, discretion, and professional integrity; exemplary interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills; strong attention to detail; ability to work independently, take initiative and anticipate future needs, issues and events; proven problem-solving abilities; conflict management skills; ability to work within new software systems and evolving processes; and a demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), Sharepoint, and strong internet research skills.

**Department**: Clinical Trial Support Unit
**Status**: Term with the possibility of extension or beco