Date: |
October, 2012 |
Reports to (Job Title): |
Director, Contracts Research and Industrial Grants |
Jobs Reporting (Job Titles): |
None |
Location: |
Main Campus |
Grade: |
USG 10
35 hr/wk
|
Primary Purpose
This position is responsible for managing the administration of research contracts and agreements for industry - sponsored research activities, specifically: small projects; non-disclosure agreements; and special programs. The Manager, Contracts Research and Industrial Grants ensures that industry - sponsored research projects are administered according to university policies and guidelines, serving several key accountabilities.
Key Accountabilities:
1.Support the development and growth of industry - sponsored research as a key resource to faculty members:
- Provide advice on research related - University policies and procedures.
- Monitor government, industry, foundation, and other relevant information sources to identify opportunities for new research funding.
- Distribute information about new and on-going research funding opportunities campus wide.
- Monitor program guidelines, assessment and evaluation criteria, and deadlines and ensure Office of Research information is kept up to date.
- Establish university-wide procedures for the preparation and submission of research proposals, ensuring university and sponsor guidelines are met.
- Review research proposals, assist with budget development, and ensure that sponsor program guidelines are adhered to.
- Develop and update program-specific resources to guide researchers through proposal preparation, submission and administration of research grants and contracts.
2.Working with faculty members and research sponsors, ensure the timely progression of research projects through the approval process, from proposal through to funding:
- Review non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), negotiate terms with agreement counterparties, and advise faculty members on risks and obligations when sharing or receiving confidential information.
- Establish contact with research sponsors when a new project is initiated and open negotiations toward a research agreement.
- Ensure research agreements are consistent with university policies and guidelines, provide initial assessment of risk and advise management of potential issues.
- Counsel researchers on agreement terms and ensure relevant issues are understood during the negotiation process, including intellectual property considerations.
- Communicate with research sponsors during all phases of the project, ensuring all parties are updated as developments arise.
- Monitor the status of negotiations and ensure timely progress towards an agreement, prioritizing projects to avoid delays to research projects.
3.Administer and monitor research projects:
- Ensure that all required administrative approval is secured prior to proposal submission.
- Document and record all relevant information in the Office of Research database according to standard operating procedures.
- Initiate projects by requesting and releasing internal research account numbers.
- Monitor project performance when required by program guidelines, and intervene when problem -resolution is required.
- Provide information to research finance and compliance teams when required to meet internal or external audit requirements.
Position Requirements
Education:
Master's degree with a degree in business administration or law preferred
Experience:
- 2-5 years in business or research administration. Experience in an academic institution is preferred.
- Effective communication skills (both written and oral), including the ability to draft and edit legal documents.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage both internal and external relationships. Must be comfortable working with students, faculty researchers, and senior executives from small, medium and large, multinational corporations.
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to identify and articulate significant trends affecting economic, social and environmental priorities and how they will impact innovation and the development of technologies.
- Outstanding critical thinking and decision - making skills.
- Ability to balance competing demands and manage priorities.
Technical:
MS Word |
Excel |
PowerPoint |
Other |
Advanced |
Advanced |
|
- Advanced ability with Microsoft Office, specifically Word and Excel.
- Ability to efficiently use ERP software.
- Experience working with InfoEd is an asset, but not required.
|
Nature and Scope
Interpersonal Skills:
Internally
The Manager, Contracts Research and Industrial Grants presents, discusses information and problems with:
- Director, Contracts Research and Industrial Grants
Collaborates, negotiates and “sells” ideas with:
- Senior Manager, Contracts Research and Industrial Grants
Obtains action, reaches agreement and negotiates with:
- Faculty Members
- Research Finance Director, Managers, and Financial Analysts
Exchanges with or provides simple information to:
- Research Finance Compliance Officers
- Faculty Financial Officer
- Research Ethics Director, Managers and Coordinators
- Grants and Government Contracts Managers and Coordinators
- WatCo Director and Tech Transfer Officers
- Industrial Liaison Officers
- Waterloo International Director and staff
- Communications and public affairs staff
- Office of Development staff
- Office of External Relations staff
- Finance staff
- Faculty Deans, Associate Deans Research, and Department Chairs
Externally
Obtains action, reaches agreement and negotiates with:
- Research partners
- Various funding agencies
- Industry partners
- Provincial and federal government
- Canadian and international universities
Level of Responsibility:
- The job entails specialized work with minimal supervision and the provision of guidance to others.
- No direct reports.
- Authority to enter the University into Research Agreements with value up to $200,000.
Decision-Making Authority:
- Informs the Director, Contracts Research and Industrial grants on matters related to risk in research agreements and contracts.
- Independently evaluates risk and decides on course of action in negotiating research agreements.
- Approves research agreements and contracts, and has the authority to enter the University into legal agreements.
Physical and Sensory Demands:
Requires exertion of physical or sensory effort resulting in slight fatigue, strain or risk of injury.
Working Environment:
Involves minimal physical or psychological risk resulting from unavoidable exposure to hazardous, disagreeable or uncomfortable environmental conditions.