Legal Counsel

**About Queen's University**

Queen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.

Come work with us

**Job Summary**

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Lead the review, negotiation, risk assessment and management, interpretation and finalization of research contracts and other agreements on behalf of the University, with a strong focus on health sciences as well as less frequently files from applied sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities.
- Facilitate the building and maintenance of productive relationships between faculty researchers and sponsors in industry, government and/ or not-for profit sector, through the timely drafting and execution of cooperative/collaborative agreements and follow-on relationship management support, as required.
- Work with the Director and the Research Contracts team to improve efficiencies to ensure the timely review and approval of all research contracts and related agreements in accordance with University policies and the VP Research Portfolio performance plan and service objectives and to appropriately track and report on the outcomes.
- In accordance with the University’s affiliation agreements with local hospitals, lead contract review, negotiations, and finalization with third parties for research studies and clinical trials conducted at the affiliated hospitals, where the University and local hospital(s) are parties, in consultation with the hospital research institute(s) and the principal investigator.
- Lead the review, negotiation and completion of contract agreements for collaborative research groups, centres of excellence, registries, and institutes and for clinical trials sponsored by

Queen’s, data coordinated by and hosted at Queen’s, and studies led by Queen’s researchers, including those managed by the Canadian Clinical Trials Group (CCTG).
- Develop strategies, processes, protocols, systems, tools and templates to support and enable the advancement of emerging priorities in research, innovation, commercialization, experiential learning, Indigenous initiatives and entrepreneurship, meeting the objectives and requirements of the University, and supporting the interests of faculty and students and the initiatives of Queen’s Partnerships & Innovation department within the VP Research Portfolio.
- Provide legal counsel to senior management within the Portfolio on research-relevant Canadian and international legislation, compliance requirements, and / or the drafting of new (or interpretation of existing) policies, internal and external to the University. Recommend appropriate action based on analysis and review. Provide legal counsel to the Research Contracts team on contract interpretation and negotiations. Provide support to senior management on matters concerning clinical trials processes, health science policy and ethics, Indigenous initiatives, research integrity, conflicts of interest, privacy, data security, knowledge mobilization and freedom of information.
- Engage in outreach to improve research contract review processes and outcomes for stakeholders. Create and deliver workshops to facilitate dialogue and provide training to Department Heads, faculty researchers, staff and hospital-based research institutes to increase understanding of needs and requirements for research contracts/agreements.
- Work with the Director and Assistant Vice-Principal Partnerships & Innovation to develop strategies and coordinate with the University commercialization teams to support technology transfer initiatives.
- Engage in activities of a professional development nature, including joining local and national organizations concerned with research contract management, health sciences research management, or other strategic initiatives of the VP Research portfolio, attending meetings, seminars and conferences where appropriate, to maintain detailed knowledge of and changes to relevant legislation, policies and sponsoring agency programs and requirements.
- Plan, prioritize and manage the work of employees in the Research Contracts Unit, who are direct reports to the Legal Counsel (Research Contracts), providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance, and coaching. Identify the need for staff resources, participate on relevant committees, lead the employee recruitment process when appropriate, and make effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
- Manage performance by establishing performance standards, reviewing and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
- Assess staff training and development needs and ensure that employees receive training required to impr