Associate Director

University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Associate Director D at the University of Pennsylvania managing clinical research contracts and portfolios. Leading contract negotiations and overseeing Senior Contract Administrators and Contract Coordinators.

Posted 6/24/2026full-timePhiladelphia • Pennsylvania • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $92,592 - $96,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Independently negotiate, draft, and execute CDAs/NDAs, DUAs, amendments, and work orders/task orders.
Serve as manager of Senior Contract administrators and/or Contract Coordinators.
Complete first-pass CTA redlines and issue-spotting; escalate non-standard and high-risk terms to attorneys.
Manage assigned workflow, timelines, and documentation; ensure correct routing/approvals.
Apply and support standardization through templates and clause libraries; propose improvements on recurring sponsor issues.
Serve as an internal point of contact for study teams and partners; drive matters toward execution-ready status.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor of Science and 5 to 7 years of clinical research contracting experience or equivalent.
Master's degree or JD preferred, not required.
Demonstrated ability to apply standard positions and identify risk issues in a high-volume environment.
Strong written communication, organization, and stakeholder-management skills.
Demonstrated ability to thrive in a busy, ever-evolving environment and collaborate with multiple stakeholders.
Some management/leadership experience preferred.
Experience in an academic medical center, CRO, sponsor, or comparable research environment supporting clinical research agreements preferred.
Familiarity with research administration/contracting systems preferred.
Resume and cover letter required with application.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.
Tuition: Exceptional tuition benefits for employees, spouses, and dependent children.
Retirement: Generous retirement plans including Basic, Matching, and Supplemental options.
Time Away from Work: Substantial amount of time away from work for personal affairs and recovery.
Long-Term Care Insurance: Available for faculty, staff, and eligible family members.
Wellness and Work-life Resources: Programs and resources to support health and work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Array of resources for personal and professional advancement.
University Resources: Access to libraries, athletic facilities, and cultural events.
Discounts and Special Services: Free or discounted admission and savings on goods/services.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options for better work-life balance.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home.
Adoption Assistance: Reimbursement of qualified expenses for legal adoption of eligible children.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

contract negotiationcontract draftingCDANDADUACTA redlinesissue-spottingworkflow managementdocumentation managementstandardization

Soft Skills

written communicationorganizationstakeholder managementcollaborationleadershipproblem-solvingtime managementadaptabilityattention to detailcritical thinking

Certifications

Bachelor of ScienceMaster's degreeJD