Full-Time Senior Contract Specialist

Reporting to the Director, Clinical Research, the Senior Research Contracts Specialist is a key member of Osler Research Institute for Health Innovation (ORIHI) operations team, independently responsible for the drafting, review, negotiation and execution of a broad range of research-related agreements.

Leveraging deep subject matter expertise, the Senior Specialist ensures that research agreements are aligned with institutional, legal, ethical and funding agency requirements while proactively identifying and mitigating risk.

This position is critical in supporting ORIHI’s expanding research enterprise and ensuring the timely and effective management of complex contracts related to investigator-initiated and sponsored research, including but not limited to: clinical trial agreements, data transfer agreements, confidentiality agreements, collaboration agreements, grant agreements, service agreements and material transfer agreements.

In addition, the Senior Specialist plays a key role in advancing ORIHI’s strategic plan by contributing to the development of foundational research policies, supporting the design and implementation of a commercialization strategy and facilitating the establishment and growth of research centres aligned with ORIHI’s vision for innovation and impact.

The Senior Research Contracts Specialist acts as a trusted advisor to researchers, leadership and administrative teams, and serves as a key liaison between internal and external stakeholders.

The role also contributes to the development of institutional policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), contract templates and process improvement tools to streamline research operations and ensure compliance.

1. Independently draft, review, negotiate and manage a broad range of research-related agreements.
2. Negotiate contractual terms and conditions, including financial arrangements, indemnities, intellectual property rights, publication clauses and data ownership.
3. Identify legal, financial and operational risks within contracts and recommend mitigation strategies.
4. Provide ongoing administrative oversight of agreements, including status updates, amendments, renewals and compliance follow-up.
5. Ensure all agreements comply with Osler’s institutional policies, ethical standards, applicable legislation and funding agency requirements.
6. Serve as the first point of contact for research contract-related inquiries and provide expert guidance.
7. Liaise with key groups on contract terms and decision-making.
8. Liaise with research managers on contract budgets and support budget negotiations as needed.
9. Execute agreements and ensure proper document storage and retention.
10. Acquire and maintain up-to-date knowledge of hospital policies and procedures.
11. Support the implementation of ORIHI’s strategic plan by contributing to the development of core research policies, commercialization strategies and research centre frameworks.
12. Develop and refine SOPs, contract templates, decision-making tools and guidance documents.
13. Track contract workflows using appropriate systems; maintain accurate records and ensure timely reporting.
14. Maintain databases in support of the contract team.
15. Transfer data onto online reporting system and/or spreadsheets.
16. Compile and distribute periodic reports.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Law degree or paralegal background with related experience or a Master’s degree.
• Minimum five years practical and related experience, including at least three to five years of experience drafting, interpreting and negotiating agreements.
• Familiarity with legislation governing human research and knowledge of relevant guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities among competing demands.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent oral, interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Knowledge of medical terminology preferred.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (including Excel, Word, Outlook).

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