Contract Specialist

The contract specialist provides assistance to faculty, staff, and Office of Innovations Commercialization (OIC) personnel in reviewing, drafting and managing various unfunded contracts and agreements pertaining to intellectual property and academic research. Drafts, negotiates, and finalizes, with minimal oversight, confidential disclosure agreements, research collaboration agreements, and material and software evaluation/use/transfer agreements with corporate and nonprofit entities. Interacts independently with faculty, staff, and ODU Office of General Counsel, as well as representatives of academic and commercial organizations, to ensure agreements compliance. Contribute to the maintenance of complete records of all disclosed CDAs/NDAs, MTAs, CRADAS and other agreements by ODU to support research and assist with education for university faculty, students, & staff on contract compliance issues. Prepares periodic reports as requested. Performs related responsibilities as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Considerable knowledge of contract terms and conditions relevant to intellectual property and academic research, specifically regarding Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs).

Working knowledge of federal and state regulations governing research compliance, such as the Bayh-Dole Act, the Virginia Code, and ethical requirements regarding human tissue and animal research.

Working knowledge of agreement management databases (e.g., Sophia Knowledge Management System) and records retention standards.

Skill in drafting, editing, and finalizing complex legal agreements with precision and attention to detail.

Working skill in conducting negotiations with external parties (corporate, nonprofit, and federal entities) to align terms with institutional interests.

Skill in the use of standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel) and specialized knowledge management systems to maintain accurate records of disclosed agreements.

Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal oversight while interacting with faculty, staff, and the Office of General Counsel to manage the lifecycle of agreements.

Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships with diverse external partners, including industry representatives, federal agencies, and military commands.

Demonstrated ability to analyze complex information to ensure that university contracts do not conflict with Old Dominion University Research Foundation ( ODURF ) contracts or internal guidelines.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, such as monitoring compliance reports from collaborators while tracking agreements in accordance with university retention standards.

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Legal Studies, Natural Science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior basic working experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and agreements, preferably in the area(s) of research administration and/or technology licensing at a college or university.