Legal Counsel (Research Contracts)

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About Queens University

Queens University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research faculty administration engineering & construction athletics & recreation power generation corporate shared services and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women racialized/visible minorities Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples persons with a disability persons who identify in the LGBTQ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

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Job Summary

Reporting to the Director Legal Counsel (Research Contracts) the Legal Counsel (Research Contracts) ensures the timely and effective negotiation and execution of all research contracts and agreements in the incumbents portfolio of responsibilities and according to the VP Research Portfolio performance plan and service objectives. The Legal Counsel (Research Contracts) leads and executes the review negotiation and preparation of complex research contracts including clinical trial agreements and other research related agreements assessing risk as well as identifying negotiating and protecting the legal and financial rights and obligations of the University and where appropriate the rights of its faculty members graduate students undergraduate students and staff. The Legal Counsel (Research Contracts) acts as a liaison between faculty researchers and the various sponsors of research projects (e.g. all levels of government corporations notforprofit organizations institutions other universities hospitals research centres and foundations). The incumbent provides coaching and mentorship to researchers and to members of the Research Contracts Unit to enhance the understanding and application of pertinent policies agreements and laws. The Legal Counsel (Research Contracts) also provides guidance and support to the Directors AVPs and VP of the Research Portfolio when appropriate and provides legal interpretation andor guidance on researchrelevant Canadian and international legislation compliance requirements and policies or procedures both internal and external to the University.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead the review negotiation risk assessment and management interpretation and finalization of research contracts and other agreements on behalf of the University with a strong focus on health sciences as well as less frequently files from applied sciences natural sciences social sciences arts and humanities.
Facilitate the building and maintenance of productive relationships between faculty researchers and sponsors in industry government and/ or notfor profit sector through the timely drafting and execution of cooperative/collaborative agreements and followon relationship management support as required.
Work with the Director and the Research Contracts team to improve efficiencies to ensure the timely review and approval of all research contracts and related agreements in accordance with University policies and the VP Research Portfolio performance plan and service objectives and to appropriately track and report on the outcomes.
In accordance with the Universitys affiliation agreements with local hospitals lead contract review negotiations and finalization with third parties for research studies and clinical trials conducted at the affiliated hospitals where the University and local hospital(s) are parties in consultation with the hospital research institute(s) and the principal investigator.
Lead the review negotiation and completion of contract agreements for collaborative research groups centres of excellence registries and institutes and for clinical trials sponsored by
Queens data coordinated by and hosted at Queens and studies led by Queens researchers including those managed by the Canadian Clinical Trials Group (CCTG).
Develop strategies processes protocols systems tools and templates to support and enable the advancement of emerging priorities in research innovation commercialization experiential learning Indigenous initiatives and entrepreneurship meeting the objectives and requirements of the University and supporting the interests of faculty and students and the initiatives of Queens Partnerships & Innovation department within the VP Research Portfolio.
Coach and mentor members of the Research Contracts team and its stakeholders to enhance understanding and application of pertinent policies agreements and laws. Develop team skills and proficiency in reviewing negotiating and preparing research contracts agreements and related documents. Organize and lead the training of new members to the Research Contracts Unit.
Provide legal counsel to senior management within the Portfolio on researchrelevant Canadian and international legislation compliance requirements and / or the drafting of new (or interpretation of existing) policies internal and external to the University. Recommend appropriate action based on analysis and review. Provide legal counsel to the Research Contracts team on contract interpretation and negotiations. Provide support to senior management on matters concerning clinical trials processes health science policy and ethics Indigenous initiatives research integrity conflicts of interest privacy data security knowledge mobilization and freedom of information.
Engage in outreach to improve research contract review processes and outcomes for stakeholders. Create and deliver workshops to facilitate dialogue and provide training to Department Heads faculty researchers staff and hospitalbased research institutes to increase understanding of needs and requirements for research contracts/agreements.
Work with the Director and Assistant VicePrincipal Partnerships & Innovation to develop strategies and coordinate with the University commercialization teams to support technology transfer initiatives.
Engage in activities of a professional development nature including joining local and national organizations concerned with research contract management health sciences research management or other strategic initiatives of the VP Research portfolio attending meetings seminars and conferences where appropriate to maintain detailed knowledge of and changes to relevant legislation policies and sponsoring agency programs and requirements.
Plan prioritize and manage the work of employees in the Research Contracts Unit who are direct reports to the Legal Counsel (Research Contracts) providing strategic and tactical advice guidance and coaching. Identify the need for staff resources participate on relevant committees lead the employee recruitment process when appropriate and make effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
Manage performance by establishing performance standards reviewing and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
Assess staff training and development needs and ensure that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.
Investigate address and resolve employee/labour relations issues including making decisions regarding disciplinary and discharge matters.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.); eligible to practice law in Canada and member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
Bachelors degree in Health Science fields would be an asset.
Minimum of ten years relevant work experience acting as legal counsel within a large complex organization combined with demonstrated aptitude for leading and managing a team of professionals.
Experience leading clinical trial contract negotiations and drafting agreements working with or within an industry and/or a notforprofit environment. Previous experience negotiating university research contracts considered an asset. Experience negotiating international agreements and agreements with multiple partners or sponsors also considered an asset.
Knowledge of ethics protocols and clinical trial agreements including those with international sponsors and/ or collaborators.
Demonstrated understanding of relevant Canadian and US legislation and its application within a research environment including: familiarity with Canadian and international privacy legislation and regulation; practices and procedures of health regulators in the United States Europe Canada and its provinces.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
SPECIAL SKILLS:
Excellent communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills demonstrating tact and diplomacy when interacting with individuals at every level and from many different perspectives. Strong presentation skills and a capability to persuade others adjusting style to audience.
Leadership ability to effectively leverage staff skills and build collaboration and commitment within a team to achieve deliverables goals and metrics in a lean operating environment. Sets clear meaningful challenging and attainable common goals and expectations with sensitivity to issues impacting performance. Ability to develop and promote teamwork.
Analytical interpretive and problemsolving skills. Ability to synthesize information from a wide variety of sources.
Excellent attention to detail with a strong commitment to quality and best practices.
Ability to work in a complex environment in a collaborative and collegial manner using well developed relationship building influencing and negotiating skills to secure commitment and achieve results.
Ability to negotiate effectively with the competing demands of diverse groups.
Client Orientation: builds and maintains a servicecentric culture by working closely with faculty researchers while maintaining a high level of client satisfaction.
Organizational skills in order to help coordinate and direct the work of the Research Contracts Unit. Ability to cope with multiple demands resolve priority conflicts and operate effectively in a deadline driven environment.
Skills in work process management/optimization.
Risk assessment management and mitigation abilities.
Possess high standards of ethics and integrity as demonstrated by handling issues professionally understanding need for confidentiality and/or sensitivity while maintaining trust and strong working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
Familiarity with University hospital government (Canadian and US funding agencies) and corporate policies and procedures related to intellectual property publications controlled goods overhead and eligible costs.
Knowledge of Indigenous research principles relevant to collaborative research contracts involving Indigenous peoples.
Proven record of commitment to advancing equity diversity and inclusion.
Broad knowledge of university structure policy regulations and administrative systems.
DECISION MAKING:
Determine priorities and makes decisions regarding priority of work within the incumbents portfolio of responsibilities to achieve optimum productivity and customer service understanding and abiding by budget constraints.
Assess impact of applicable legislations regulations and Indigenous research policies/strategies on University policies and procedures. Makes decisions regarding its application to strategies and work processes of the Research Contracts Unit. Makes recommendations as appropriate to Directors AVPs and VP in the VP Research Portfolio.
Ensure the development and consistent application of policies where required.
Determine when an issue should be presented to Directors andor AVPs in the VP Research Portfolio and makes recommendations regarding handling of such issues.
Determine if the negotiated terms and conditions of a proposed research agreement are acceptable to the parties to the contract and recommends research agreements for signature by the appropriate signing authority as representative of the University.
Contribute to the development leadership and implementation of the Office of Partnerships and Innovation strategic plan and priorities.
Evaluate job candidates and makes effective recommendations on suitable hires.
Determine appropriate learning strategy when developing training documents or delivering training programs.
Make decisions and/or effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.
Evaluate employee performance and decides on appropriate training or coaching to address lack of proficiency in carrying out responsibilities or remedial action for staff disciplinary situations.
Assess investigation outcome of grievances and makes effective recommendations on appropriate course of action or next steps on grievances.
Make effective recommendations on level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queens is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women visible minorities Aboriginal Peoples persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at .