Contracts Officer in Bangor

Applications are invited for a permanent full-time post working in the Legal and Compliance Services Department. The University is seeking to appoint a Contracts Officer to join its Legal and Compliance team. The successful candidate will be joining a supportive team environment in which they will provide contractual and legal advice to academic and professional service colleagues. The post holder will be expected to draft and negotiate contracts, ensuring these are in the best interests of Bangor University. Ensuring contracts move forward efficiently whilst protecting the University’s interests is an essential part of the role, as is managing their own time and portfolio of work.

Candidates should hold a degree in a relevant subject area, e.g. law. Prior experience in a legal office, particularly in contract drafting and review, is desirable for this post. The successful candidate will be expected to commence in post as soon as possible. The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. This role will be located on campus at Bangor. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work-life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview. There will, however, be an expectation that the post holder is on site at least 2 days a week. Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis.

Purpose of the Job

Working within a busy contracts environment, to proactively support colleagues across the University in relation to contract development, implementation, and delivery.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Reviewing, drafting and negotiating a wide range of contracts to include commercial, research and collaborative teaching contracts utilising templates and drafting bespoke agreements where necessary;
• Drafting, negotiating and advising in relation to various agreements including Memoranda of understanding, Funding/grant agreements, Collaboration agreements, Material transfer agreements, Non-disclosure / confidentiality agreements, Articulation agreements, Consultancy Agreements, Studentship Agreements;
• Identifying and utilising the appropriate contract (with relevant terms and conditions) for the specific needs of a case;
• Contributing towards the development and maintenance of a suite of template contracts and agreements;
• Ensuring that all work is recorded in the contracts database, ensuring that comprehensive records are kept of each stage of contract negotiations;
• Undertaking all contract administration, ensuring all financial and procedural requirements are met;
• Responding to contract queries, assisting staff with interpretation and explanation of contractual terms and information, and keeping staff informed at all stages of the process;
• Contributing towards continuous improvement of the service, identifying opportunities to improve effectiveness and efficiency, including identifying, developing and managing KPIs;
• Supporting the process of procurement where advice on terms and conditions is required;
• Monitoring the contract or agreement execution process and using appropriate software packages to facilitate the signing of documents contracts and agreements in a timely manner;
• Establishing and maintaining excellent links with departments across the University as well as stakeholders within other higher education institutions and partner organisations;
• Providing specialist advice to staff on best practice within the role;
• Developing and maintaining professional networks both within the University and externally;
• Keeping abreast of changes in contract and related law, relevant University developments and policy issues;
• Undertaking such other duties as may from time to time be required by the Contracts Manager and the Head of Legal Services.

Other Duties And Responsibilities

The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities. The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards. The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments. The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

• Essential: Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject area, e.g. law;
• Desirable: Experience in contract preparation, particularly in an academic or research & development environment. Qualification in data protection law.

Experience/Knowledge

• Essential: Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel etc). A good understanding and knowledge of key contractual terms and conditions.
• Desirable: Experience of contract drafting and management, experience in negotiating research contracts, understanding of the legal issues which arise in the context of a contract, as well as being articulate, commercially aware and having a keen eye for detail. Understanding of the legal issues facing a University, as well as experience of successfully drafting and negotiating contracts. Experience of working within a busy office environment. Experience in dealing with senior staff on matters of sensitivity and confidentiality. Experience of working within a Higher Education environment. Experience of working with external agencies. Knowledge and understanding of the issues currently affecting the Higher Education environment. Basic understanding of intellectual property rights in the context of research in the Higher Education environment.

Skills/Abilities

• Essential: Good communication and inter-personal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with staff and stakeholders at all levels. Able to communicate and develop effective relationships with colleagues at all levels of the University. Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to plan, prioritise and undertake a high volume, varied and demanding workload to meet set deadlines. A careful approach to work with attention to detail and high standards of accuracy. Ability to be proactive and identify and recommend changes for improvement where appropriate. Ability to work independently with a flexible approach to work, demonstrating initiative and the ability to manage priorities.
• Desirable: The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable for this role. If applicants are not able to speak/write in Welsh at present, there are many opportunities to learn if the successful candidate wishes to do so.

General

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally. We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references. We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will be able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa.