Women's College Hospital (WCH) is an academic, ambulatory care hospital in Ontario with a focus on health for women, health equity and health system solutions. If you're ready to be part of a team that is revolutionizing the future of healthcare, then you will want to join an institution where the possibilities for innovation, new discovery and system thinking are limitless. Women's College Hospital is committed to equity, quality and patient safety as key professional values and essential components of daily practice.
Healthcare Revolutionized 2030 is our roadmap to the future. Our strategy is built on the pledge that the founders of our hospital made 140 years ago and reaffirms our commitment to providing equitable, accessible, best-in-class healthcare for everyone – meeting people where they are on their healthcare journey and partnering with them to reach their goals of living their healthiest lives possible. The stage has been set for Women’s to accelerate our priorities and capture the momentum to catapult our system forward to revolutionize healthcare for everyone.
Applicants must reside and be legally eligible to work in Ontario.
This is a Temporary Full-Time Opportunity
Type: Replacement
Two (2) exciting Temporary Full-Time opportunities as Research Contracts Associates exist in Research Operations, reporting to the Manager, Academic Operations & Solutions. Reporting to the Manager, Academic Operations and Solutions, the Research Contracts Associate is an integral team member who reviews, negotiates, and oversees all research contracts and agreements including those for Women’s College Hospital Research and Innovation Institute, including WCH Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care (WIHV). The incumbent must be willing to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a challenging and dynamic environment.
Summary of duties, but not limited to:
Reviews, drafts, and develops research agreements, including those related to sub-grants, fund transfers, data sharing, material sharing, clinical studies, services, amendments, and other research and innovation-related contracts
Negotiates contract terms and conditions with various external parties with special attention to financial arrangements, reporting requirements, data/material transfer obligations and ownership, disposition of intellectual property rights, publication rights, privacy, confidentiality obligations, insurance, and indemnity provisions
Identifies key contractual issues relevant to WCH research projects, investigates and proposes resolutions and options and, when necessary, consults with relevant WCH stakeholders to facilitate decision making
Reviews research agreements arriving from external organizations operating in countries in the European Union to ensure the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) aligns with the federal and provincial regulations of Canada.
Acts as first point of contact for research contract inquiries, identifies the appropriate agreements necessary for a research study, and gathers the information necessary to draft a contract
Ensures documentation is compliant with provincial and federal regulations when drafting and reviewing research contracts with national partners.
Drafts novel research network and data biobank agreements independently to support the expansion and development of new research collaborations and initiatives
Leads discussions with research teams and/or researchers to outline concerns, address questions, and explain responsibilities when necessary
Liaises with WCH’s Information Technology Office and Privacy Office to ensure technical and privacy requirements are met for research activities involving international partners
Educates and provides consultation to research teams on procurement policies
Supports educational initiatives to help research teams understand the value and importance of establishing contractual arrangements and their legal implications for their research collaborations
Works with Research Finance team to ensure contract budgets appropriately reflect the full costs of research and that all agreements adhere to institutional policies on indirect costs of research ensuring funds are available for research disbursements, and advising on financial provisions in contracts to address institutional auditing and reporting obligations
Liaises with WCH’s Research Ethics Board (REB) to ensure suitable approvals for a study or project are in place before execution of contracts and, where necessary, liaises with research teams to ensure REB approvals are in place at external sites included as parties to a contract
Proposes and develops strategies to improve the communication process with international and national partners in the negotiation process of research agreements.
Oversees the WCH research contracts signature process, including drafting contract checklists; preparation of signature packages for senior executives; and responding to questions arising during this process
Monitors active contract files and coordinates with concerned parties to ensure that contractual requirements are being met in a timely manner
The responsibilities described above are representative and are not to be construed as all-inclusive.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Law degree preferred)
Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario preferred
3-5 years experience in contract drafting, review and negotiation
Experience working in a research environment and/or an academic environment is a strong asset
Previous experience working in a legal environment is a strong asset
Experience drafting and negotiating service contracts with large corporations, not-for-profits, and individuals
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills are essential
Excellent organizational and administrative skills with attention to detail
Comprehensive knowledge working with privacy laws such as PHIPA, PIPEDA, FIPPA and experience working with international laws and regulations such as GDPR and FDA
Demonstrates individual leadership skills and the ability to think critically
Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative, discretion and tact
Strong time management skills as well as experience prioritizing and working in a dynamic environment
Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, and Excel
Good attendance record is required
Strong critical thinking and conflict management skills.
Strong negotiation skills
Professional behavior and communication that meets the standards of the professional regulatory college or association, as applicable, and the standards of Women’s College Hospital.
Why Choose Us?
Be part of a dedicated team committed to excellence.
Shape the future of healthcare in a supportive environment.
Enjoy competitive benefits and an excellent defined benefit pension plan (HOOPP).
Women's College Hospital is a fully affiliated teaching hospital of the University of Toronto and is committed to fairness and equity in employment and our recruitment and selection practices. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, members of sexual minority groups, members of racialized groups, women and any others who may contribute to the further diversification of our Hospital community. Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process as required under our Access for People with Disabilities policy. Applicants need to make their requirements known in advance.
