We have multiple openings for an Agreements Officer to work under limited supervision to draft, negotiate, recommend for approval, and manage intellectual property management and commercialization agreements from inception through post execution. You will be responsible for managing commercialization and partnership agreements between Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC and non-federal entities (industry, academia, foreign organizations, non-profits, etc.). Specifically, you will be expected to skillfully and proactively emplace various types of agreements [Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA), Agreements for Commercializing Technology (ACT), Intellectual Property Agreements, License Agreements, etc.] between LLNL and those various non-federal organizations. You will manage a portfolio of assigned pending and existing agreements and be responsible for the successful negotiation of contracts, agreements and amendments, with terms acceptable to both LLNL and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Additionally, you will have the responsibility to advise research staff involved with technology transfer agreements on the statutory and policy requirements that must be met in relation to such agreements, and on procedural requirements for implementing such agreements at LLNL. This position reports to the Group Lead, CRADA and License Agreements in the Innovation and Partnerships Office (IPO) within the Director’s Office.
This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.
This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.
You will
- Work with IPO’s Business Development Executives, LLNL researchers, legal counsel, financial staff and other LLNL stakeholders and non-federal partners to contribute to and translate partnering opportunities and intellectual property management needs into appropriate technology transfer agreements.
- Work under general direction to draft, edit, negotiate, and recommend for approval and execution initial technology transfer agreements, amendments and other legal documents while assuring they are complete and consistent with LLNS, DOE, and Federal legislative requirements and that all process requirements are met.
- Analyze agreement terms to ensure document language is consistent and apply knowledge of previously negotiated terms to interpret and determine appropriate use of special conditions and clauses.
- Research and compile information from multiple sources, to determine prior commitments ensuring that intellectual property is available for licensing.
- Manage a portfolio of assigned pending and existing agreements, including monitoring executed agreements for compliance with agreed-upon terms and recommending actions when needed to amend or close agreements, supporting multiple IPO intellectual property portfolio areas.
- Represent LLNL and IPO with 1) LLNL researchers, management and staff, patent attorneys, 2) contract/subcontract managers representing foreign and domestic industry, university partners, representatives of foreign governments, and not-for-profit agencies, and 3) DOE/NNSA field office and NNSA/HQ officials on assigned technology transfer agreements.
- Direct the flow of all agreements through multiple levels of approval from inception through execution and close-out.
- Maintain databases to ensure tracking of intellectual property and agreement commitments, critical flow of legal documents from inception to execution and reporting of LLNL technology transfer metrics and data.
- Negotiate agreements using approved IPO templates, and with the direct oversight of the C&LA Group Lead, recommend approved alternate clauses when appropriate.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Additional job responsibilities, at the Agreements Officer level (SES.2) level
- Serve as the primary Agreements Officer supporting three or more IPO portfolio areas and/or managing multiple complex agreements with high risk or high strategic value.
- Work under limited direction to independently negotiate complex agreements, beginning with approved IPO templates and recommending approved alternate clauses or customized terms when appropriate.
- Recommend new frameworks and collaborative structures to address evolving needs and best practices for technology transfer and collaborations, including with consortia.
- Provide education and training to LLNL research and stakeholder staff members seeking to enter agreements with non-federal entities.
- Support the Group Lead in the mentorship of new IPO staff on LLNL technology transfer agreement policies, procedures, processes, and information management.
- Provide the Group Lead with data and analysis upon request for IPO agreement metrics and reports.
- As part of IPO, represent LLNL’s interests on DOE/NNSA Technology Transfer Working Group committee(s) and other technology transfer professional organizations.
- Ability to maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
- Bachelor’s Degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience in a related business, operational and/or organizational area.
- Fundamental knowledge of and experience with technology transfer mechanisms, including intellectual property agreements, non-disclosure agreements, material transfer agreements, license agreements and/or CRADAs.
- Ability to review and suggest revisions to complicated agreements to ensure compliance with LLNL obligations.
- Experience in or familiarity with the preparation and processing of complicated legal agreements.
- Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making skills necessary to independently recommend appropriate actions and solutions to complicated situations.
- Advanced organizational skills, attention to detail, accuracy, flexibility, ability to prioritize multiple and complex tasks, and ability to work under time constraints to meet short deadlines with frequent interruptions.
- Ability to skillfully interact with all levels of internal and external personnel to build effective business relationships and anticipate and develop new approaches to bringing precedent-setting deals to successful execution.
- Sufficient verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information.
- Excellent grammar, proofreading, and editing skills, with demonstrated accuracy in work products. Advanced experience in MS Word, Excel, and data entry in a relational database.
- Ability to work independently and proactively on assigned portfolios, and as a proactive team member in a collaborative environment, under frequently changing priorities.
Additional qualifications at the Agreements Officer level (SES.2) level
- Demonstrated ability to independently perform work of a complex nature.
- Experience with contract administration and with intellectual property and contract law.
- Demonstrated excellent communication skills, including speaking, writing, presenting, listening and negotiating with technical, legal and business professionals and ability to provide actionable advice to management.
- Established experience in drafting, negotiating and executing complex partnership agreements and intellectual property licenses.
Qualifications We Desire
- Knowledge of licensing and industrial research and development collaborations, with knowledge of legal and contractual requirements.
- Experience with DOE regulatory requirements for partnership mechanisms, technology licensing, and intellectual property, including familiarity with applicable DOE orders, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and DEAR clauses.
- Experience interacting with all levels of personnel exercising a high degree of discretion, mature judgment, and tact in handling issues of a sensitive nature and demonstrated effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills necessary to effectively explain, present, direct, negotiate and influence others.
- Demonstrated ability and willingness to take on new and challenging assignments.
- Advanced data management skills and knowledge and experience in developing complex data analysis, including use of Excel spreadsheets, Excel’s graphical and analytical tools, or other data-intensive business intelligence tools commonly used in federal laboratory research organizations.
- Established experience in drafting, negotiating and executing CRADA and intellectual property licenses on behalf of a DOE national laboratory.
- Excellent relationship management, collaboration, and communication skills.
#LI-Hybrid
Position Information
This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.
Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?
Security Clearance
This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.
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External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.
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