Job Summary:

The Officer, Business Development and Contracts primarily assists researchers and clinicians with execution of relevant research contracts and agreements. The Officer is responsible for independently drafting and reviewing (to ensure compliance with negotiated terms and conditions) non-disclosure agreements, bio-material transfer agreements, collaborative research agreements, sponsored research agreements, service agreements, license agreements, other grant related contracts. Assists team members in the identification and protection of the organization’s Intellectual Property (IP), and with active marketing of the IP for commercialization, and advises researchers and spin-off companies on financial opportunities available through government programs.

Duties/Accountabilities:

• Assists with drafting and negotiating the various contracts and agreements required for both industry and government sponsored research. Works closely with the researchers and clinicians to determine the most appropriate form of contract to govern the research, as well as identification of all potential encumbrances. Negotiates the business and legal obligations of the contracts with the third party to ensure they are consistent with the organization’s mandate and policy.
• Assists with licensing IP to local, national, and international business. Provides input into determining appropriate royalty structures including analyzing current market norms, preparing cash flow projections, or replacement costs. Negotiates the business arrangement with the licensee including royalty rates, equity participation, reimbursement of costs, and appropriate due diligence provisions. Discusses the legal terms of the agreement with the licensee’s legal counsel, obtaining the requisite approvals of the agreement, monitoring the licensee’s performance for compliance with the terms of the agreement.
• Participates in collaborative research through methods such as identifying research opportunities for collaboration with industry, identifying sources of funding and assisting clients in accessing that funding, negotiating and managing the appropriate agreements to support collaborative research including a variety of research contracts, bio-material transfer agreements and non-disclosure agreements.
• Assists in the formation of spin-off companies through methods such as providing information and general assistance to researchers on issues regarding company formation, structure, management and financing.
• Conducts market research and analysis of industry opportunities for technologies. Prepares and updates non-confidential marketing summaries and develops and enacts a marketing plan for effective commercialization of the technology. Participates in increasing the value of technologies through methods such as identifying, applying for and securing funding to support the technology development from internal and external sources.
• Assists other department staff in the protection of IP through methods such as determining the most appropriate form of protection, directing the preparation and filing of IP documentation with Canadian or foreign patent offices, devising an international patent strategy and assisting patent agents in prosecuting patents through to disclosure.

Qualifications:

A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to Bachelor’s degree in Science or Business plus minimum two (2) years of experience in industry or technology transfer office or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Effective and proven written and oral communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to simultaneously manage a diverse range of complex projects and activities and to work under pressure to meet deadlines. Functional knowledge in at least one area of technical or scientific expertise. Working knowledge of computer application programs. Ability to travel.