Position Overview

The Department of CSM Legal in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Junior Legal Counsel. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 18 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

With its bold Growth Through Focus initiative, the University of Calgary aspires to enhance its role as a great research university, an institution with global reach located in a dynamic city in an innovative province.  The University of Calgary attracts over $130 million in external research funding to support leading edge initiatives that drive innovation.

The legal services group at the Cumming School of Medicine ( CSM Legal) play a key role in supporting researchers by ensuring research is conducted with the required legal agreements in place. The Junior Legal Counsel role reviews and revises contracts under the direction of the Senior Legal Counsel who acts as manager of CSM Legal.

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Contract / Agreement Review

• Responsible for review of research contracts including data transfer agreements, material transfer agreements, non-disclosure agreements, clinical trial agreements, partnership agreements, grant agreements, amendments, and sub-site agreements

• Accountable for the contract content including interpreting content, proposing alternate language, and determining when Senior Legal Counsel need to be consulted

• Negotiate contract clauses with external parties (such as academic institutions, government agencies and industry)

• Draft contract clauses based on legacy agreements

• Independently manage conflict / competing interests of faculty members / external parties

• Interpret, revise, and finalize clinical research contracts ensuring all terms are compliant with University and AHS policies

• Complete final review for completion ensuring all required forms, attachments, and supporting documents are include before the contract is finalized

Contract / Agreement Process

• Independently manage and prioritize own workflow

• Meet unit performance targets

• Track contract progression and provide feedback to other University departments, government agencies and external parties regarding the status of a contract

• Ensure proper certifications are in place

• Maintain contract library and revise contract templates as required

• Lead the drafting internal guidelines and processes for the management of agreements, as requested by the Senior Legal Counsel

• Independently implement guidelines and processes for the management of agreements

• Develop and provide onboarding and training to CSM Legal staff

• Utilize and update the unit contract management system and other legal databases/spreadsheets to track contract progression

• Meet with sponsors and researchers in advance of the submission of the research contract documentation if required

• Respond to requests from Researchers and provide information and advice on University policies and administrative processes governing research contracts

• Identify and recommend process improvements for contract administration to the or the Senior Legal Counsel

• Draft, lead and implement process improvements as required by Senior Legal Counsel

• Work as a member of a team in Legal, Research Services to ensure timelines are met and that work produced is accurate and professional

Other

• Communicate and exchange information with other University departments, faculty, staff and external parties such as government agencies, and corporate sponsors regarding all aspects of the legal review process

• Present on legal review processes at relevant meetings and conference

• Introduce new investigators to CSM Legal processes and systems

• Perform legal research as directed by the Senior Legal Counsel

• Manage projects and project teams independently

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Law degree is required
• Must be a member of the Law Society of Alberta or eligible to apply for enrolment as an active and insured member
• Must have at least 2 years of experience working in areas related to contracts
• Experience in interpreting legal contracts and relevant policies is required
• Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to create well-constructed documents that effectively communicate to the intended audience
• Demonstrated strong drafting skills is required
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while producing on-time and high-quality deliverables is required
• Excellent attention to detail is required
• Strong time management skills are required
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills are required
• Strong and proven ability to lead and participate in process change initiatives is required
• Advanced working knowledge of MS Office and SharePoint is required

Application Deadline:  March 31, 2023

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is classified in the Professional Career Band, Level 3L of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework. Management and Professional Staff (MaPS) Positions are currently under review as part of the Alberta Labour Relations Board exclusion review process. Visit the HR website for more information.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website. For more information visit Careers in the Cumming School of Medicine.

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.