At a Glance
- Tasks: Negotiate commercial agreements for scientific software with global pharmaceutical and chemical companies.
- Company: Join Lhasa Limited, a not-for-profit leader in scientific development.
- Benefits: Enjoy 34 days holiday, healthcare cashback, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in reducing animal testing and enhancing chemical safety.
- Qualifications: Experience in software licensing agreements and strong contract negotiation skills.
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.
Join our team and contribute to cutting-edge research in a collaborative and innovative environment.
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.
Why Lhasa Limited?
We are a successful not-for-profit company and educational charity, with a great reputation for collaborative scientific development. Our charitable status enables us to make altruistic decisions for the public benefit and to work with some of the leading organisations in the world to really make a difference. Our salaries are competitive dependent upon skills and experience. We also offer fantastic personal benefits including (but not limited to); 34 days holiday plus bank holidays, a generous pension scheme, healthcare cashback, PMI, free car parking at our office in Leeds City Centre and much more!
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 in York 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.
