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- Tasks: Lead negotiations and manage research agreements to support high-quality research.
- Company: A prestigious university committed to innovative research and collaboration.
- Benefits: Flexible working patterns, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Play a vital role in enabling impactful research while managing complex contracts.
- Qualifications: Experience in contract management and a strong understanding of the UK HEI funding landscape.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
The Senior Research Contracts Manager will provide expert leadership in the negotiation, drafting and management of research agreements, ensuring that the University's interests are protected while enabling high-quality research activity to proceed efficiently. Acting as a senior point of escalation for complex or high-risk contractual matters, the post holder will offer authoritative advice on contractual terms, governance requirements and compliance obligations across a diverse range of funders and partners.
The role will involve drafting and negotiating a wide variety of research agreements, including collaboration agreements, contract research agreements, framework agreements, subcontracts, sub-awards and studentships, working with a broad range of UK and international sponsors and collaborators. The post holder will also contribute to the smooth running of the research contracts function, including co-ordinating the development of standard agreements and supporting the design and implementation of robust internal contracting processes and workflows, ensuring continuous enhancement of research contracting across the institution.
You will work alongside two other Senior Research Contracts Managers who provide leadership and oversight for the University's research contracting function, ensuring consistent practice, effective workload management and a coordinated, high-quality service. The post holder will build strong working relationships with academic colleagues, Professional Services teams and external partners, providing clear guidance and negotiation leadership that balances institutional risk with enabling research activity.
This role is central to ensuring contractual readiness, robust risk management and the effective transition of projects into delivery. A thorough understanding of the UK HEI research funding landscape is essential. Reporting to the Head of Research Operations, you will be a key member of the Senior Management Team.
The post holder must be highly organised, detail-focused and proactive in solving problems, with the ability to prioritise and manage a busy and varied workload. You will be comfortable working across multiple concurrent projects at different stages of development. As a confident communicator, you will form close working relationships with colleagues across the Operations Team, the Research Development Team, Faculty Offices, Heads of Department, Directors of Research, Department Managers and other Professional Support Staff.
Subject to business need, the working pattern can be arranged to suit the successful applicant. Dependent on experience, the successful applicant may need to work on campus for the majority of the time for the first three months.
Senior Research Contracts Manager - Durham in Suffolk employer: Durham University
Contact Detail:
Durham University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Contracts Manager - Durham in Suffolk
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the academic and research sectors. Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups to chat with folks who might know about opportunities or can give you insider tips on the hiring process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to research contracts. Think about scenarios where you've successfully negotiated agreements or managed complex projects. We want you to showcase your expertise and problem-solving skills!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply and wait! Follow up on your applications after a week or two. A quick email expressing your continued interest can keep you on their radar and show that you're genuinely keen on the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Check out our website for the latest job openings. We regularly update our listings, and applying directly through us can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s a great way to stay informed about what we’re looking for!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Contracts Manager - Durham in Suffolk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Research Contracts Manager role. Highlight your experience in negotiating and managing research agreements, as well as your understanding of the UK HEI research funding landscape. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a confident communicator, it's essential to demonstrate your ability to build strong working relationships. Use examples from your past experiences where you've successfully collaborated with colleagues or external partners. This will show us that you can effectively guide negotiations and manage complex contractual matters.
Be Detail-Oriented: In this role, being detail-focused is key. When writing your application, pay attention to the details in your documents. Ensure there are no typos or formatting issues, as this reflects your organisational skills. We appreciate candidates who take the time to present their application professionally!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. This ensures that your application is received directly by our team and allows us to process it efficiently. Plus, you'll find all the information you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Durham University
✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on different types of research agreements, like collaboration and contract research agreements. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you understand the nuances of the role and can handle complex contractual matters.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled high-risk contractual issues in the past. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and ability to manage a busy workload while ensuring compliance and governance requirements are met.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, practice building rapport during the interview. Be friendly and approachable, and highlight your experience in forming strong working relationships with academic colleagues and external partners.
✨Understand the UK HEI Research Funding Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current trends and challenges in the UK higher education research funding landscape. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're ready to contribute to the institution's research contracting function from day one.