Business Development Contracts Associate

Van Andel Institute (VAI), a world-class biomedical research institute, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is dedicated to improving human health. We are pioneers in the fight against cancer, Parkinson's, and other diseases. We are committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists and educators.

Van Andel Institute is currently seeking a Full-Time Business Development Contracts Associate in our Office for Business Development and Technology Transfer ("BDTT") to report to its director. BDTT is responsible for supporting the protection and development of Van Andel Research Institute's technologies and intellectual property.

VAI's BDTT team provides researchers with support to advance the development of groundbreaking scientific discoveries by fostering strategic collaborations with industry through licensing, sponsored research, and collaboration activities.

As a Business Development Contracts Associate you will:

• Handle incoming business development requests

• Open new electronic case files or add to existing files

• Collect information and preparing documents for review

• Route agreement drafts to appropriate stakeholders

• Monitor status of agreements and share update report at weekly meetings

• Interact with representatives from counterparties

• Prepare documents for signature through final execution

• Oversee management of case files and generation of reports

• Organize, route, and document all intellectual property correspondence

• Ensure all documents and information are accurately input into database

Maintain BDTT's contracts and intellectual property database and keep internal/external investigators updated as to the status.

• Provide operational support to BDTT in identifying, drafting, recording, and monitoring agreements as well as providing weekly updates and generations of reports

What Qualifications are required for this role?

• Associate's degree in Business, Public Administration, or related field required, with Bachelor's degree preferred.

• 5+ years of experience working with contracts and contract databases

• Ability to recognize the type of contact needed to engage with specific counterparties

• Must be proficient with computer software applications. This position will require an individual to work with numerous software applications such as: Inteum, Contracts365, Visual Compliance, Workday, Microsoft Suite, and Adobe Acrobat.

• Experience in an academic, research, or legal environment is highly preferred.

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.

• Strong prioritization and organizational skills.

• Desire to work in a fast-paced environment.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance. 401k plan with an employer match, paid vacation and PTO, parental leave, and more.

Is this role right for you?

This position would be ideal for an individual with extensive legal secretary experience or paralegal experience who is willing and ready to transition to a business role. This position will require the individual to receive requests from our Scientific Research Teams, recognize the nature of the contract needed, work with Business Development staff, and then collaborate with various operational teams (Logistics, Compliance, Legal, Sponsored Research, etc.) as well as external parties to move the agreement toward final execution. The individual should be friendly, detail-oriented, efficient, organized, able to multi-task and focus on completing tasks professionally, completely, and accurately.

Please contact eric.miller@vai.org for further information or questions, or if you have any difficulty with the application process.

About Van Andel Institute

Established in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1996 by the Van Andel family, VAI is now home to nearly 500 scientists, educators and support staff, who work with national and international collaborators to foster discovery. The Institute's scientists study the origins of cancer, Parkinson's and other diseases and translate their findings into breakthrough prevention and treatment strategies. Our educators develop inquiry-based approaches for K-12 education to help students and teachers prepare the next generation of problem-solvers, while our Graduate School offers a rigorous, research-intensive Ph.D. program in molecular and cellular biology.

VAI is committed to achieving excellence through increasing diversity. We actively encourage applications from women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups.

Van Andel Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer.

As Van Andel Institute is a drug free employer, all prospective new employees undergo a urinalysis/drug test as part of our pre-employment process. This is a 7-panel drug screen and it includes testing for Marijuana, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Opiates, PCP, Barbiturates, and Benzodiazepines.

About Grand Rapids, MI

Van Andel Institute is in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan in the center of the Medical Mile. A remarkable combination of a cosmopolitan atmosphere and small-town warmth, Grand Rapids is known for its philanthropic and sustainability-driven community. It's fun affordable and family-friendly.

Located on the banks of the Grand River, Grand Rapids offers all the big-city excitement you'd expect from a million-resident metropolis, featuring hundreds of restaurants and nightspots, theaters, museums, sports and concerts. The safe and clean downtown is surrounded by an eclectic mix of walkable neighborhoods and natural areas. The downtown area is safe and clean with an eclectic mix of walkable neighborhoods and natural areas.