Overview
Are you looking for an opportunity to play a key role in negotiating contracts in a world‑class university setting? We’re seeking someone with demonstrable legal experience and knowledge of English law to join our supportive team. This is an ideal role for someone who is pragmatic, collaborative, and detail‑focused, with excellent communication skills and a strong grasp of risk management.
You’ll draft and review a diverse portfolio of contracts across a range of research and innovation projects with commercial, charity and government partners. You will act as a vital bridge between our academic community and external partners, ensuring that every agreement is robust, clear, and strategically aligned. We provide ongoing training and professional development and actively promote an inclusive and supportive working culture.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Draft, review and negotiate research contracts (e.g. collaboration, funding, data/material transfer, IP licences, consultancy).
- Offer guidance and recommendations to researchers on risk, IP protection and contractual obligations.
- Serve as a key contact for a faculty or schools and external parties.
- Act as a proactive communicator for assigned contracts, ensuring all stakeholders are kept informed of progress and potential bottlenecks are addressed early.
- Maintain comprehensive and up-to-date case files, ensuring the "audit trail" for every negotiation is accurate, accessible and compliant with institutional standards.
- Collaborate with research support and professional service teams, both internally and externally, to streamline agreements and promote good practice.
- Stay up to date with relevant legal knowledge and contribute to the development of effective team processes.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Criteria
Essential
- Demonstrable practical experience of drafting and negotiating legal agreements, with a working knowledge of English law.
- Ability to proactively communicate and translate complex legal issues in plain English, ensuring stakeholders are kept informed of progress and potential risks.
- Experience in delivering high‑quality, people‑focused services, with a track record of building positive professional relationships.
- Ability to identify legal and financial risks within contracts and provide pragmatic solutions or mitigation strategies.
- A good understanding of Intellectual Property (IP) principles, including protection, ownership, and licensing.
- Experience of managing high workloads, high volume and shifting priorities.
- Ability to maintain files, ensuring the audit trail is accurate, accessible and compliant with institutional standards.
- Supportive and collaborative mindset with a good track record of working effectively within a team.
- Good working knowledge of IT systems (e.g. Google Drive, MS Office).
Desirable
- Experience in a Higher Education Institution or public sector research body.
- Experience in knowledge transfer or research agreements.
Grade and Salary
Grade 6
£32,080 - £36,636 per annum (pro‑rata), with potential to progress to £39,906 throughout standing contribution.
Work Arrangement
Full‑time / 50% minimum hybrid.
Line Manager
Contracts Manager
Direct Reports
N/A currently. Potential to manage an Assistant Contracts Officer in the future.
Benefits
- A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro‑rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
- A range of generous family‑friendly policies:
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- support for those going through the menopause
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
EEO Statement
We are a Disability Confident Leader. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Baseline Personnel Security Standard
This role requires the postholder to undertake a Government baseline personnel security standard (BPSS) check as a condition of employment.
Institutional Context
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. Our University Vision outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.
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