Assistant Director of Contracts

CONTRACT ADM 4 (000345)

UCPath Position ID: 40068096

Position Description History/Status

For Reference ONLY - PeopleAdmin JA Number:

1135180

Approved Date:

2/20/2026 8:18:28 PM

Date Last Edited:

2/20/2026 8:18:25 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

8/14/2023

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

3100O

Organization:

VC RESEARCH

Division Code:

3118D

Division:

UCLA TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Department:

309400 - TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

40068096

Position Description ID

167313

UC Payroll Title:

CONTRACT ADM 4 (000345)

Personnel Program

Management and Senior Professional (MSP)

Salary Grade:

Grade 24

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

1 - Staff: Contract

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40061159

Reports to Payroll Title:

IP MGR 2

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40048320

Department Head Payroll Title:

IP MGR 4

DIRECTION - Indicates that the incumbent establishes procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives in a broad area of work. Only the final results of work done are typically reviewed. Incumbent typically develops procedures within the limits of established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Director of Contracts possesses a high degree of knowledge with respect to intellectual property, and is recognized within the department and UCLA campus as having expertise in intellectual property issues and transactions. The position counsels the department on the interpretation of contract language, and provides appropriate business, policy and legal review for a wide range of intellectual property contracts. This review may include consultation with UCOP Office of General Counsel, and guidance from University policies and procedures.

The Assistant Director of Contracts is responsible for analyzing and problem-solving unique issues, and problems without precedent or defined structure. This position functions with a high degree of autonomy.

The Assistant Director's transactional work includes using advanced contract administration skills to draft and negotiate highly complex or customized contracts - including patent, trademark, copyright and biological materials license agreements, bailments, material transfer agreements, master industry relations agreements - as well as handling more routine consulting, collaboration, and confidentiality contracts, and agreement terminations.

The Assistant Director of Contracts also provides transactional and analytical support to the Senior Director of Contracts, who is ultimately responsible for the legal review and management of the large volume and broad range of contracts generated through TDG's commercialization and development activities.

This position works closely with Contract Managers who support the processing and management of the licensing team's agreements post-execution.

Position negotiates and manages execution of direct billing agreements, manages obligations under various master agreements with industry, supports audit functions in collaboration with the finance team, and various other tasks that support TDG's Business Development Officers.

The Assistant Director of Contracts oversees and participates in the most complex projects, with a specific focus on drafting and negotiating complex exclusive license agreements, and deals directly with major department managers. The workload requires an advanced ability to organize, manage and prioritize, as well as to think creatively and constructively, in order to advance agreements quickly and smoothly to execution.

Under the direction of the Senior Director of Contracts and/or Associate Vice Chancellor who gives broad guidelines, this position receives supervision through regular individual meetings, department staff meetings, and oral/written communication.

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is known worldwide for the breadth and quality of its academic, research, health care, cultural, continuing education and athletics programs. The faculty at UCLA comprise one of the most intellectually productive academic communities in the nation, and the institution receives over $1 billion in extramural research funding annually.

The UCLA Technology Development Group serves as a campus-wide gateway to Innovation, Research and Entrepreneurship. Our mission is to promote UCLA innovation, research, teaching and entrepreneurship to benefit society; create economic value to support UCLA's scholarly and educational missions and the State of California; and lead UCLA's research community to bring innovation to market.

Legal Support and Guidance (1)

1. Provides advanced analytical and legal support to the Senior Director of Contracts by handling various delegated intellectual property-based matters and issues.

2. Provides guidance in the interpretation of contract language and appropriate business, policy and legal review, which may include consultation with General Counsel, and guidance from University policies and procedures. Analyzes and problem-solves unique issues, including problems without precedent and/or structure.

3. Manages projects that include formulating strategies and administering policies, processes, and resources.

25%

Legal Support and Guidance (2)

4. Independently performs a significant volume of highly complex or customized legal transactional work, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide variety of complex contracts such as patent, trademark, copyright, bailments, and biological materials license agreements, and master industry relations agreements. Specifically focuses on exclusive license agreements, equity, inter-institutional, foundation and government sponsored research, nondisclosure, material transfer, and collaboration agreements.

5. Handles consulting, collaboration, and confidentiality contracts and agreement terminations.

25%

Legal Support and Guidance (3)

6. Oversees and protects the integrity of the licensing team's contract information within its databases, conducts and manages IP due diligence and contractual obligations, supports negotiation and execution of direct billing agreements, manages obligations under various master agreements with industry, supports audit functions in collaboration with the finance team, and various other tasks that support TDG's Business Development Officers.

7. Collaborates with the greater TDG office including the business development team, patent prosecution group, ISR-MTA team, and contract management team members, providing training, guidance and support as needed.

25%

Legal Support and Guidance (4)

9. Manages monitoring and enforcement of diligence and financial obligations with respect to executed agreements including liaising with and communicating obligations to UC Office of the President.

10. Functions with a high degree of autonomy.

20%

Other Duties

1. Other duties and projects as may be assigned by the Senior Director and the Associate Vice Chancellor from time-to-time.

5%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

or equivalent education and experience.

Required

And

Juris Doctor (JD) Degree

from an accredited law school and a member in good standing with a state bar with the ability to join the California state bar.

Preferred

Education or direct experience in health sciences or engineering

Preferred

At least 3 years of professional legal experience

Required

And

At least 3 years of experience handling technology-based contracts, whether at a law firm, tech transfer office, and/or company

Required

And

Advanced experience with patent-based license agreements preferred

Preferred

Advanced negotiation skills/experience

Required

And

Advanced experience in patent law

Preferred

Education or direct experience in health sciences or engineering

Preferred

Advanced contract administration skills to draft and negotiate highly complex or customized contracts.

Required

Advanced written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills; advanced ability to deal with broad and diverse constituencies using advanced customer service orientation and skills.

Required

Advanced level knowledge of Intellectual Property law.

Preferred

Advanced knowledge of the UC Intellectual Property Management organization including its infrastructure, goals, objectives, achievements, rules, regulations and policies.

Preferred

Advanced knowledge of contract law, the California Public Contract Code and an advanced understanding of University's Business and Finance Bulletins and other relevant rules, guidelines, policies and practices.

Preferred

Advanced understanding of complex legal issues and ability to recognize implications in a University setting, even when ambiguous or hidden.

Required

Ability to execute sound judgment, analyze issues, think strategically and creatively, develop innovative ideas, and manage a demanding workload.

Required

Ability to develop trust, respect and cooperation both within and outside of TDG. Desire to become involved in the university technology transfer community.

Required

Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and tact when handling sensitive or potentially sensitive issues. Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Required

Possesses advanced skills in project management.

Required

Proven ability to be a motivated team player, flexible and service oriented, with a professional attitude.

Required

Excellent and advanced oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate with internal staff and external contacts including all levels of TDG staff, researchers, licensees, University colleagues, and peers in university technology transfer.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

Conflict of Interest: The position is subject to the University Conflict of Interest Code required by the Political Reform Act of 1974. The candidate(s) selected will be required to complete financial statements for public record.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Other University Setting(s)

Location:

Wilshire Glendon Bldg Suite 920

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.