At a Glance
- Tasks: Negotiate and manage commercial agreements for scientific software in a collaborative environment.
- Company: Join Lhasa Limited, a not-for-profit with a strong reputation in scientific development.
- Benefits: Enjoy 34 days holiday, generous pension, healthcare cashback, and more!
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the pharmaceutical industry while supporting ethical practices.
- Qualifications: Experience in software licensing agreements and strong contract negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Location: Lhasa Limited, Granary Wharf House, 2 Canal Wharf, Leeds LS11 5PS. We support hybrid working with a requirement to work from the office for a minimum of 2 days per week.
Summary of the Role: The Commercial Contracts Manager is a full-time, permanent role accountable for reviewing and negotiating the commercial agreements that underpin the supply of Lhasa Limited scientific software to pharmaceutical, chemical and cosmetics companies around the world. Every sponsorship relationship rests on an agreement covering licence terms, liability, data protection and intellectual property. As the sponsorship base continues to grow, the successful candidate will negotiate directly with sponsor legal and procurement teams, protect the Lhasa position on key terms, and act as a trusted point of contact for contractual matters across the business.
This is a UK-based role; salary is competitive and dependent on experience.
Main Responsibilities:
- Lead negotiations with legal and procurement teams at prospective and renewing sponsor organisations on software licence and sponsorship terms.
- Review and redline software supply and licence agreements, including sponsors' own contract templates, alongside drafting on Lhasa paper, with close attention to licensing, liability, indemnity, data protection and intellectual property.
- Act as the first point of contact for legal and commercial queries from colleagues across Lhasa, reducing reliance on ad hoc legal support.
- Build and maintain a library of template agreements, playbooks and fallback positions to speed up future negotiations.
- Partner with external legal counsel on complex or higher-risk agreements.
- Respond to sponsor due-diligence and vendor assessment requests common in the pharmaceutical industry, covering data protection, information security and audit requirements.
- Track contract renewals, obligations and key dates across the sponsorship portfolio.
- Explain contractual risk and options to non-legal stakeholders in plain English, supporting informed decision-making.
- Identify and implement improvements so agreements are turned around faster and more consistently.
- Ensure (with the support of our legal counsel) that all agreements meet the needs of emerging legislation and challenges.
About You:
- Proven experience reviewing, negotiating and managing software or SaaS licensing agreements, ideally on the supplier side (essential).
- Strong working knowledge of common contract clauses: liability, indemnity, intellectual property, data protection and termination (essential).
- Confidence explaining contractual risk clearly to colleagues without a legal background (essential).
- A collaborative, evidence-led approach, comfortable working closely with scientific and operational teams (essential).
- Ability to work independently in a remote-first role (essential).
- A law degree or legal qualification, with equivalent commercial contracts experience considered equally (preferred).
- Experience contracting with pharmaceutical companies, including navigating their procurement and vendor qualification processes (preferred).
Please submit your CV and a short covering letter outlining your relevant experience.
Our Culture: At Lhasa Limited, we are committed to creating a work environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and trust. We believe in building strong relationships within our team and with our members, working together towards our shared purpose to enable informed decision making on chemical safety. Lhasa Limited is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of background, and we are happy to discuss accommodations that help you do your best work.
Commercial Contracts Manager employer: Lhasa Limited
Lhasa Limited is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant city of Leeds, offering a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises scientific development for the public good. With a generous benefits package including 34 days of holiday, private medical insurance, and a strong commitment to employee growth through mentorship and strategic leadership opportunities, Lhasa empowers its team to make meaningful contributions to chemical safety and reduce animal testing. Join us in a role that not only advances your career but also supports life-enhancing solutions globally.
