Senior Contracts Manager in Cambridge

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated self-starter for the post of Senior Contract Manager within the Research Operations Office. The post holder will lead the contracts function within one of our Clinical School-facing teams at the Research Operations Office, managing a team of Contracts Managers as well as administrative staff. As a senior manager, the post-holder will take the lead on complex contract negotiations, providing support to a range of departments within the school, and will oversee and support the Contracts Managers with their portfolio of matters. As a member of the Senior Contracts Managers team, the post-holder will work with colleagues to ensure an effective and coherent contracting function across the office. This will include matters such as providing contracts training, ensuring effective probation and appraisal processes are undertaken, and that administration of contracts is consistent and efficient.

The post holder will act on behalf of the researchers and the University to negotiate agreements ranging from material transfers to multi-party research collaborations, funded by a range of sponsors including Research Councils, charities, the European Commission and a wide range of industrial sponsors.

• Lead the contracts function within a Clinical School-facing team, managing a team of Contracts Managers and administrative staff.
• Take the lead on complex contract negotiations and provide support to a range of departments within the school.
• Ensure an effective and coherent contracting function across the Research Operations Office, including contracts training and consistent administration of contracts.
• Negotiate agreements on behalf of researchers and the University, including material transfers and multi-party research collaborations with sponsors of various types.
• Protect the interests of researchers and the University by negotiating terms that safeguard publication rights, further research, and appropriate handling of intellectual property and potential commercialisation.

• Extensive experience drafting and negotiating agreements in a university or research-intensive organisation, including industry.
• Project management experience; a legal and/or scientific background is an advantage. Understanding of the scientific research environment is desirable.
• Degree level education or equivalent. Excellent leadership and team management skills are essential.
• Strong organisational skills, the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines, and the ability to work independently with a positive, can-do attitude.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey complex issues clearly to a range of stakeholders, including academic, corporate and government representatives. Diplomacy, tact, attention to detail and a calm approach are essential.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft IT packages.

Your application should clearly set out how you meet the criteria listed in the person specification (the skills and experience required for the role) along with relevant examples. Candidates will be shortlisted based on these criteria. Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) and a security check.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working (minimum 80%) or other flexible working arrangements. The University is supportive of hybrid working, where some work is undertaken on University premises and some in a remote working environment. The aim of our approach is to enable as many staff as possible to work in a hybrid way if they wish and where their role allows, with the majority of time spent on-site. This arrangement is subject to change and will not form a part of the contractual terms of the role. This role requires onsite attendance at Greenwich House for a minimum of 2 days per week with additional onsite working according to business need.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online. Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

If you have questions about the application process, contact CROrecruitment@admin.cam.ac.uk. Please quote reference EW48486 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.