Contracts Manager

UNIVERSITY OF READING; Reading; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Reading is seeking a Contracts Manager to enhance research engagement and innovation. This role involves managing contracts, negotiating terms, and supporting academic colleagues in achieving research funding and impact. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in contract management within a higher education context and demonstrate excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in contracts negotiation and drafting in a higher education or research setting.
• Ability to influence decision-making at a senior level.
• Service-oriented approach and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of contracts and relationships for research and innovation activities.
• Draft, negotiate, review, and authorize contracts.
• Support researchers and enable impact-generating activities.

Skills

Contracts drafting

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Creative thinking

Teamwork

Job description

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Closing date: 16th June 2025 at 23:59 (BST)

By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants wishing to consider the SWR must ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement before applying. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website .

An exciting opportunity to empower research, engagement and innovation at the University of Reading by providing efficient high-quality contract management and project solutions, supporting University policies, global strategy and charitable aims.

We are currently seeking to recruit an experienced Contracts Manager, to join our Research Contracts team, within the wider Research Engagement and Innovation Office (REIO). REIO support academics to enhance research funding, enable work with businesses, and facilitate knowledge exchange and impact generating activity across the University.

We are looking for an individual who has the drive to make a difference and provide an excellent service to our academic colleagues, with previous experience of contracts negotiation and drafting, ideally in a higher education or research setting. The successful applicant will also have an opportunity and be encouraged to contribute to the development of processes and best practice.

In this role, you will proactively manage a busy and varied portfolio of contracts and relationships to deliver the University of Reading's research and innovation activities. The role involves contract drafting, negotiation, review and authorisation as part of our service to support researchers and enable research, innovation and impact generating activity across the University.

You will have

• Demonstrable experience of contracts drafting and negotiation
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to demonstrate a service-orientated approach
• Demonstrable experience of being a creative thinker, managing negotiations to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes
• Ability to negotiate and influence decision making at a senior level
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, proactively exchanging advice and support with colleagues in a considered and effective manner

Interviews will be held: 26th June 2025

Informal Contact Details:

Contact Name: Rob Glenn

Contact Job Title: Senior Contracts Manager

Contact Email address: [e-mail]

Alternative Contact Name: Anne-Marie van Dodeweerd

Alternative Contact Job Title: Director, Research Engagement and Innovation Office

Alternative Contact Email address: [e-mail]

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.