Contracts Manager (Research and Innovation)

Overview

As Contracts Manager at UCL, you will review, draft and negotiate a broad range of research and research-related agreements to protect the university’s interests. You will advise on contractual obligations, responsibilities and risks, while supporting academics and professional services. Your work will cover funding, collaborations, sub-contracts, data and IP, with an emphasis on compliant, commercially sensible positions. You will build cross-functional relationships, help improve processes, and provide training guidance to departments. This role offers the opportunity to shape research collaborations with real-world impact at a world-class university.

Pay / Benefits

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 6 closure days)
• CARE pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On-site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay (varies by policy)

Responsibilities

• Review, draft and negotiate research and research-related agreements
• Provide clear guidance on contractual obligations, responsibilities and risks
• Manage portfolio of agreements including funding, collaborations, sub-contracts, studentships, confidential information, materials, data and equipment
• Negotiate IP, publication rights, liability and indemnity, licensing and commercialisation terms
• Ensure compliance with legislation and contractual requirements
• Build relationships across UCL and contribute to process improvement
• Support training and guidance for departments

Key requirements

• Experience reviewing, drafting and negotiating research contracts or legal agreements
• Strong understanding of IP, confidentiality, publication, liability/indemnity, data protection and governing law
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent
• Commercial and pragmatic negotiation approach with ability to identify contractual risks
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to explain complex information to non-specialists and manage stakeholders
• Ability to own a large, varied workload and juggle competing priorities
• Knowledge of research funding, support and contracts in HE or commercial research environments is advantageous

• strong communication
• stakeholder management
• pragmatic negotiation
• ability to explain complex information
• time management
• collaboration

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