Manager, Research Contracts

Chandler Macleod; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 107,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced Manager, Research Contracts for a leading university in Melbourne CBD. The role focuses on reviewing, drafting and negotiating a broad range of commercial and research-related agreements, including funding arrangements and IP licensing.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Research Contracts, you will advise internal stakeholders, manage contractual risks and support decisions with commercially viable solutions within a hybrid, university environment.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Law, Business, Commerce or related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Sound knowledge of contract law, contractual obligations and commercial risk management.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, interpreting or negotiating contracts and legal agreements.
• Understanding of intellectual property, indemnities, insurance provisions and contractual risk.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to recommend commercially sound solutions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong negotiation capabilities and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgement.

Responsibilities

• Review, draft and negotiate commercial contracts, research agreements, funding arrangements and collaborative partnerships.
• Assess contractual risks relating to intellectual property, insurance, indemnities and compliance obligations.
• Provide practical commercial and contractual advice to internal stakeholders.
• Negotiate contractual terms with external funding agencies, research collaborators and industry partners.
• Collaborate with legal, finance and risk teams to ensure agreements comply with organisational policies.
• Identify potential contractual risks and recommend commercially viable solutions.
• Prepare recommendations to support informed decisions regarding contract execution.
• Maintain accurate contractual documentation, records and reporting.
• Contribute to continuous improvement across contract management processes.

Skills

Contract law

Negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Independent work

Commercial risk management

Education

Law degree

Job description

Manager, Research Contracts | $94.11 p/h + Super | Melbourne CBD

Hybrid Working | University Environment | Immediate Start | Potential Extension

We are currently seeking an experienced Manager, Research Contracts to join a leading university based in Melbourne CBD.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded professional with strong contract law knowledge, negotiation skills and the ability to navigate complex contractual arrangements.

We welcome applications from experienced contracts professionals, legal practitioners and internationally qualified lawyers currently residing in Melbourne who are looking to utilise their legal expertise within the Australian workforce.

The Opportunity Reporting to the Senior Manager, Research Contracts, you will be responsible for reviewing, drafting and negotiating a broad range of commercial and research-related agreements.

These agreements may include research funding arrangements, collaborative research partnerships, intellectual property licensing and commercial research contracts.

Working closely with internal legal, finance and risk teams, as well as external funding bodies and industry partners, you will provide commercially sound advice, manage contractual risks and facilitate successful outcomes.

This position offers a high degree of autonomy within a collaborative university environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Review, draft and negotiate commercial contracts, research agreements, funding arrangements and collaborative partnerships.
• Assess contractual risks relating to intellectual property, insurance, indemnities and compliance obligations.
• Provide practical commercial and contractual advice to internal stakeholders.
• Negotiate contractual terms with external funding agencies, research collaborators and industry partners.
• Collaborate with legal, finance and risk teams to ensure agreements comply with organisational policies.
• Identify potential contractual risks and recommend commercially viable solutions.
• Prepare recommendations to support informed decisions regarding contract execution.
• Maintain accurate contractual documentation, records and reporting.
• Contribute to continuous improvement across contract management processes.

About You

We are seeking a professional with strong legal knowledge, commercial awareness and the confidence to interpret and negotiate complex agreements.

Ideally, you will demonstrate:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Law, Business, Commerce or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Sound knowledge of contract law, contractual obligations and commercial risk management.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, interpreting or negotiating contracts and legal agreements.
• An understanding of intellectual property, indemnities, insurance provisions and contractual risk.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to recommend commercially sound solutions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong negotiation capabilities and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• The ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgement.

We recognise that legal professionals who have obtained their qualifications or practised overseas often possess highly transferable skills and a strong foundation in contract law.

If you are an overseas-qualified lawyer currently residing in Melbourne and working towards recognition of your qualifications in Australia, this may be an excellent opportunity to apply your existing legal knowledge in a commercial contracting environment.

Previous experience in research contracts, government, higher education or complex commercial environments will be highly regarded but is not essential.

Position Details

• Location: Melbourne CBD
• Hourly Rate: $94.11 per hour + superannuation
• Hours: 36 hours per week, full-time
• Contract Duration: ASAP to 23 December 2026
• Extension: Potential for extension
• Working Arrangements: Hybrid, minimum 2 days on-site per week, with Thursday as the designated anchor day

Essential Requirements

• Must currently reside in Melbourne and have valid Australian working rights.
• Must hold or be willing and eligible to obtain a valid Victorian Employee Working with Children Check.
• Ability to commence at short notice is highly desirable.