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Index/Position No.:                               24550/214370                                     Level 12

Position Title:                                        Associate Director for Contact Management

Department:                                          Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Administration

Expectations for All Employees

East Tennessee State University pursues its mission based upon core values.  An employee's job performance must support and exhibit the university's core values:

PEOPLE come first, are treated with dignity and respect, and are encouraged to achieve their full potential;

RELATIONSHIPS are built on honesty, integrity and trust;

DIVERSITY of people and thought is respected;

EXCELLENCE is achieved through teamwork, leadership, creativity, and a strong work ethic;

EFFICIENCY is achieved through wise use of human and financial resources; and

COMMITMENT to intellectual achievement is embraced.

Function of Position

Responsible to the Assistant Vice President for Research and Director of Sponsored Programs for developing all contractual agreements derived from ETSU sponsored programs; coordinating the institutional review and execution of sponsored agreements derived from ETSU sponsored programs; coordinating the institutional review and execution of sponsored agreements originating outside of the university; and performing other related duties as assigned.

Essential Functions

-        Serves as a primary point of contact for sponsors and subcontractors in the negotiation and management of all sponsored agreements.

-        Drafts and negotiates sponsored agreement terms and conditions to ensure compliance with university, state, and federal policies.

-        Initiates and monitors inter-institutional subcontract agreements derived from ETSU sponsored programs.

-        Collaborates with personnel from University departments and administration, government agencies and private/corporate sponsors to resolve contract and agreement problems.

-        Works closely with University Counsel on grant/contract matters such as risk assessment and conflicts of interest requiring legal counsel.

-        Works with various parties in the review and determination of language regarding intellectual property, material transfer agreements, confidentiality issues and technology transfer issues.

-        Serves as a resource and provides education to the University community on issues related to sponsored research contracts and agreements.

-        Gathers and codifies pertinent ETSU policies and procedures including fiscal, academic, export controls, licensing, consulting and extra pay, intellectual property, clinical trials, and technology transfer issues.

-        Keeps current with federal, state and TBR policies and procedures, recommends adjustments to university policy, procedures and guidelines as it relates to research contract services as needed.

Secondary Functions

-        Assists the Vice Provost for Research and the Director of Sponsored Programs in the development and implementation of a program in the Responsible Conduct of Research.

-        Provides support to the Human Research Protection Program on contractual and accreditation issues.

-        Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

-        Must have a demonstrated ability to organize workload and meet all deadlines and commitments while handling multiple assignments simultaneously, perform under pressure, and work effectively in team environment as well as independently.

-        Must have excellent communication, analytical, research, writing, problem solving, and interpersonal skills along with diplomacy, tact and discretion.

-        Must have high level of experience and comfort level working with faculty, staff, and external agencies.

-        Knowledge of university and TBR policies and procedures, as well as state and federal regulations, particularly those pertaining to contracting and subcontracting, sponsored programs, and human subjects research.

-        Ability to clarify problems, identify and assess risk, formulate strategies, implement procedures for resolution and disseminate information in an appropriate and timely manner.

Supervision Given and Received

Performs under general supervision. Determines own methods of performing assigned work.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required, masters preferred, in social science or research related field.  Preferred candidates will have a background in higher education or in a similarly large, complex public sector organization. In addition, successful candidates must have the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community and be of high integrity.  The preferred candidate will have direct experience in university research issues and/or a background in higher education law, government law and/or contract negotiations.  Two years experience in a research oriented office environment.

April 2008