Commercial Research Manager (Pre-Contract)

University of Bristol; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK is seeking a Commercial Research Manager (Pre-Contract) who will oversee the negotiation of industry-funded research projects. You will be responsible for working closely with academic staff to ensure successful proposal development and commercial agreements. Ideal candidates will have experience in business roles, strong negotiation skills, and an appreciation of the higher education landscape. The position is full-time and offers an opportunity to shape impactful research initiatives.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in business-related roles.
• Good appreciation of strategy and processes for business engagement.
• Understanding of industrial and academic cultures.
• Experience in costing and pricing research projects.
• Familiarity with terms and conditions applicable to research.
• Experience negotiating commercial research deals.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate beneficial deals for industry-funded research.
• Be the key contact for academics planning research.
• Work collaboratively with the Research Contracts Team.
• Identify and develop new opportunities for engagement.
• Improve and develop processes for academic staff.

Skills

Business acumen

Commercial mindset

Customer service passion

Negotiation skills

Understanding of research project specifications

Job description

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University of Bristol provided pay range

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Base pay range

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The role

The Commercial Research Manager (Pre-Contract) role is dedicated to ensuring that the University’s industry-funded research projects deliver valuable benefits for the University, our staff, students, partners, and the broader world we serve.

We have established processes to support efficient proposal development, commercial deal negotiation and contract set‑up, and are further developing these to help us to rapidly grow our portfolio of exciting projects. Our latest collaborations span sectors including energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, space, veterinary technologies, and education.

You will focus on the first of the three phases of good contracting practice, “Pre‑Contract Negotiation” (the others being Contract Development & Execution, and Post Contract Compliance & Governance), and will lay the foundations for a smooth and efficient contract journey.

Part of a diverse group of Professional Services staff with commercial expertise, you will be responsible for working with academic colleagues to develop deliverable proposals and negotiate sound commercial deals. Proposals will include work package, price, and headline terms and conditions, and be supported by a valid internal justification reflecting the shape of the deal.

Working with academic research teams, financial and legal experts, and others, you will be responsible for driving forward each proposed project, from outline plan to proposal, and negotiating an “agreed” position to be captured in a formal contract by our legal specialists.

What will you be doing?

• Use University standard and preferred positions for reference, to negotiate beneficial deals, before passing to legal specialists in our Research Contracts Team who will prepare and sign off formal legal contracts. Deals will include price, deliverables and outline terms and conditions e.g. intellectual property arrangements and liability.
• Work closely with our Research Contracts Team to agree key principles and ensure they have the background information they need to fulfil their role.
• Be the key point of contact for academics planning to do industry-funded research; liaise and negotiate with partners at all levels of seniority; broker areas of mutual interest; champion opportunities – internally and externally; identify and co‑develop new opportunities.
• Work across different internal areas, often with competing priorities, helping colleagues to work together transparently, as “One Team” to achieve the best “overall” outcomes for UoB and our partners.
• Work with colleagues to continually improve and develop processes and supporting systems, so our academic staff feel prepared, comfortable, and confident when navigating their commercial research journey, and our partners find the University easy to work with.

You should apply if

• Previous experience in relevant business-related roles, demonstrating good business acumen, a commercial mindset, and a passion for customer service.
• A good appreciation of strategy, processes, and issues for business engagement in the Higher Education sector.
• A good understanding and appreciation of both industrial and academic cultures, environments, and research priorities.
• Experience in the specification, costing and pricing of research projects.
• An understanding of key terms and conditions applicable to research activity.
• Experience in the negotiation of commercial research deals, balancing cost and risk with reward and opportunity.
• Knowledge and experience of developing new/improved processes and supporting systems.

Additional information

Work pattern: Full time

Grade: K

School/Unit: Division of Research, Enterprise and Innovation

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Thursday 13th November.

For informal queries about the role, please contact Christine Nileshwar, Head of Commercial Research (Pre‑Contract), on [e-mail].

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Consulting and Research

Industries

Higher Education