Associate Director, Transactions

This position's work location is fully remote with occasional onsite time as needed. The selected candidate may only work remotely from a New England state (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI).

Reporting to the VP, Innovations, the Associate Director, Transactions will be a member of the Belfer Office for Dana-Farber Innovations (BODFI). The role encompasses leading, supervising, mentoring, and training the BODFI Research Contracts team, which is responsible for drafting, reviewing and executing a high-volume of research agreements. This role will also act as a resource on contractual matters for other members of BODFI and be involved in policy making, while continuously improving contracting efficiency and quality within BODFI. This role interfaces and works in close collaboration with Dana-Farber's Office of General Counsel.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc. (DFCI) brings together world renowned clinicians, innovative researchers and dedicated professionals in the common mission of conquering cancer. Combining extremely talented people with the best technologies in a genuinely positive environment, we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all ages; we conduct research that advances treatment; we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers; we reach out to underserved members of our community; and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals. BODFI is responsible for business development and technology transfer activities at DFCI with a focus on identifying new discoveries from the DFCI research community and generating alliances to move science from bench to clinic for maximum impact.

Agreements/Transactions

• Review, draft, manage, and negotiate -with minimal supervision- a high-volume of research agreements with academic and corporate collaborators, including Sponsored Research Agreements, Academic and Corporate Collaborations, Material Transfer Agreements, Data Use Agreements, Confidentiality Agreements, Multi-Site Consortium Agreements, Non-Exclusive Licenses, Material Evaluation Agreements, Exclusive Licenses, Term Sheets, and Memorandums of Understanding.
• Drive the development and implementation of various internal standard operating procedures to efficiently support the agreement volume and scope described above.
• Provide advice on contractual questions posed by BODFI staff.
• Ability to represent Dana-Farber as lead representative (including to support team members) in discussions and negotiations with external parties.

Management

• Lead, supervise, manage and/or mentor Research Contracts team, including educating, training, performance management and professional development
• Management of intern/extern program, as applicable.
• Oversee and manage requests submitted through BODFI's contract management system, including triaging agreements to other team members.

Leadership

• Create and refine agreement templates that optimize negotiation turnaround time and provide drafting guidance notes and alternative language to cover various negotiation scenarios.
• Develop and nurture relationships with Principal Investigators/Faculty, internal research departments, Office of General Counsel, Compliance, and other stakeholders at DFCI, and outside counsel.
• Advise and provide education to BODFI staff on contract negotiation and strategy in accordance with Dana-Farber policy.
• Perform other duties and special projects as required, for example:
• Manage agreements and develop operational processes for Dana-Farber Centers and Consortiums
• Participate in the development of policies supporting the research enterprise at Dana-Farber (e.g. biospecimen transfer policy).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead, supervise, manage and/or mentor BODFI Research Contracts team, including educating, training, performance management and professional development. May also supervise intern/externs with the Research Contracts team.

• Bachelor's degree required (a biology or chemistry background is a plus).
• Evaluation of deal sheet required to determine experience and assess competencies of transactions.
• J.D. strongly preferred.
• 7+ years of experience negotiating contracts in an academic technology transfer setting strongly preferred.
• Experience supervising or mentoring others in contract negotiation strongly preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Prior legal contract negotiation experience.
• Superior organizational skills and the ability to handle a high-volume workload.
• A team player, who listens effectively, invites response and discussion, and is willing and eager to learn.
• A strong leader, who provides guidance and direction, is invested in the well-being of their team, and has a clear vision for the future.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Remains current on knowledge of relevant federal and state laws as well as institutional policy with an ability to educate others.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and database management.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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