Associate Director - Contracts

About the Role

The Associate Director of Contracts plays a key role in enabling successful technology commercialization at Northeastern University. The role focuses on drafting, negotiating, and managing legal technology transfer and commercialization agreements that facilitate partnerships between the University, faculty inventors, and external partners. The Associate Director leads the contracts function, providing strategic oversight, operational leadership, and subject-matter expertise across all aspects of research and related agreements. This position ensures efficient contract execution, mitigates institutional risk, and advances continuous improvement of contracting processes and systems.

The Associate Director supports the Center for Research Innovation (CRI) through leadership of the technology transfer contracts function and works closely with the Commercialization Team to advance successful commercialization of the University's intellectual property. This position reports to the Executive Director and collaborates with the Office of General Counsel (OGC) to accurately represent the University's legal position on complex intellectual property (IP) and research agreement terms. The role requires strong managerial capability combined with an entrepreneurial mindset, organized communication, efficient time management, and demonstrated prioritization skills. This position directly supervises one full-time Contracts Administrator.

Responsibilities

• Contract Management and Agreement Execution (60%)
  • Draft, negotiate, and finalize technology transfer and commercialization agreements, including exclusive licenses, non-exclusive licenses, field-of-use licenses, option agreements, inter-institutional agreements, material transfer agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and amendments.
  • Evaluate contractual risk and develop appropriate mitigation strategies while exercising independent judgment and serving as a point of escalation for complex agreements.
  • Collaborate with the Office of General Counsel to ensure all agreements comply with university policies and legal requirements.
  • Provide guidance, mentorship, and direction to staff involved in contract review and administration, supporting professional development and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
  • Lead and oversee agreement deliverables related to licensing revenue, compliance reporting, and grant requirement adherence.
  • Develop and maintain frameworks that promote contract quality, accuracy, and consistency in contract management procedures.
  • Oversee the day-to-day operations of the contracts function, including prioritizing workload, monitoring performance, and ensuring timely and consistent service delivery.
  • Maintain accountability for the performance, effectiveness, and continuous advancement of the contracts function.
  • Identify and implement process improvements, enhance systems and workflows, and contribute to the long-term strategy for contracts management services.
• Licensing Support and Commercialization (25%)
  • Collaborate with the Commercialization Team to provide specialized expertise related to contract terms, intellectual property rights, and licensing options.
  • Evaluate the risks and rewards of proposed licensing arrangements and guide decision-making to maximize commercial value while mitigating institutional risk.
  • Work with internal and external parties to resolve conflicts and explain contract terms.
  • Monitor contract compliance and track contract-related deliverables for financial reporting and compliance purposes, ensuring alignment with grant requirements and iEdison reporting standards.
  • Support technology evaluation and licensing strategy development.
• Research Collaboration and Support (10%)
  • Collaborate with Northeastern University Research Enterprise Services (NU-RES) and draft, negotiate, and finalize intellectual property provisions in sponsored research and collaborative research agreements.
  • Address complex intellectual property issues and negotiate favorable agreement terms.
  • Respond to inquiries related to encumbrances on university intellectual property and provide guidance regarding licensing and ownership rights.
  • Provide guidance to researchers and university faculty on intellectual property matters.
  • Support the identification and evaluation of intellectual property assets generated through university research for potential commercialization opportunities.
• Professional Development and Relationship Management (5%)
  • Maintain professional relationships with the Office of General Counsel, Center for Research Innovation leadership, and external partners.
  • Stay current on developments in technology licensing and commercialization practices.
  • Conduct training on licensing agreements and contract processes for internal stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in technology licensing, contract negotiation, or commercialization.
• Experience negotiating and drafting technology transfer and commercialization agreements.
• Demonstrated knowledge of legally binding agreement terms and considerations, including intellectual property rights, indemnification and insurance requirements, publication restrictions, ownership of research data, and export control issues.
• Strong knowledge of technology licensing and commercialization principles.
• Strong negotiation and agreement drafting skills.
• Understanding of key issues faced by academic institutions when negotiating contracts with industry, particularly in the areas of intellectual property management, publications, data ownership, and data rights.
• Demonstrated organizational and analytical skills with the ability to establish priorities and drive projects to completion.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and successfully execute competing priorities.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with colleagues, licensees, inventors, and external partners.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to proactively identify and develop solutions to complex problems.
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, courtesy, and a collaborative approach to relationship building.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Master’s degree in Law or Business.
• Technology transfer experience.

Benefits

Northeastern University offers a comprehensive benefits package for benefit-eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life programs, retirement benefits, as well as commuting & transportation benefits. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

Pay

Compensation Grade/Pay Type: 112S

Expected Hiring Range: $99,010.00 - $143,567.50. The starting salary will depend on education, experience, location, knowledge, expertise, and skills, as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.