Contracts Manager

The Norwich BioScience Institutes; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research partnership in the UK seeks an experienced Contracts Manager to draft and negotiate high-quality contracts for research initiatives. The ideal candidate holds a relevant bachelor's degree and has substantial contract law experience. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential in supporting researchers and managing contractual risks while ensuring compliance with institutional policies.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of contract law, drafting and reviewing contracts.
• Ability to manage diverse workloads and deliver to tight deadlines.
• Excellent knowledge of contractual arrangements.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate research and commercial contracts.
• Co-ordinate with researchers to ensure contract terms meet their needs.
• Maintain relationships with stakeholders to facilitate contract management.

Skills

Problem solver

Organizational skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Ability to work independently

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant subject

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Overview

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Contracts Manager to join their busy Research Grants and Contracts department and support world‑leading research. Working alongside our current Contract Managers and colleagues across the Partnership and Institutes, you will lead on drafting and negotiating high‑quality contractual arrangements for sponsored research, including collaboration agreements, commercial contracts, confidentiality agreements, consultancy agreements and material transfer agreements. You will provide a professional, effective, timely and responsive contracts service to support researchers and business needs.

The role is important in protecting the Institutes' reputation with third parties and stakeholders in how it drafts and negotiates contracts. It is key in managing risk in contracts, ensuring appropriate indemnity and mitigation from litigation, and ensuring scientific freedom to operate for the Norwich Bioscience Institutes researchers while ensuring appropriate Intellectual Property provisions including access rights and financial considerations.

Key Relationships

The Contracts Manager will be a member of the Contracts Team and will be an expert in contractual management for the Institutes. They will work closely in support of researchers across the Institutes and their relevant Business Development teams, and liaise on negotiation of contracts with other academic research organisations and HEIs as well as companies across sectors relevant to NBIP research activities.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Contract Drafting and Negotiation

• Draft, review and negotiate terms on a variety of research and commercial contracts on behalf of the Norwich Bioscience Institutes.
• Ensure that contractual terms meet the Institutes' requirements, or that variations are highlighted and appropriately managed in liaison with the Head of Contracts.
• Identify and assess institutional risk, mitigating within each contract.

Liaison and Management

• Co‑ordinate with researchers and Business Development teams to understand research aims and ensure contract terms are appropriate.
• Develop and maintain a trusted relationship with researchers, keeping them regularly informed of the status of contract development and involving them appropriately.
• Work closely with other members of the Contracts Team and Business Development managers to ensure effective and coordinated approaches in support of research and knowledge‑exchange plans.
• Liaise with HR and Finance on contractual matters using best practice to facilitate efficient contractual management and optimal use of resources.

Policies

• Maintain a good understanding of Partnership and Institutes' policies as they relate to research and knowledge‑exchange.
• Implement, develop and maintain an understanding of critical regulatory requirements and/or policy issues.

Intellectual Property

• Facilitate and liaise with Plant Bioscience Ltd and other third‑party technology transfer companies (when appropriate) to protect the interests of the Institutes.
• Deal with ongoing IP protection and IP matters as they arise.

As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role.

Person Profile – Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant subject – Essential
• Qualification in intellectual property law/processes, or relevant experience – Desirable
• Legal qualification – Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

• A problem solver able to propose solutions – Essential
• Able to multi‑task and manage diverse workloads and deliver to tight deadlines – Essential
• Able to work independently within a broad framework and accept individual responsibility – Essential
• Ability to assimilate information from a wide variety of sources – Essential
• Competence using a broad range of IT packages (Word, Excel, Email, databases, PowerPoint) – Essential
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of contractual arrangements – Essential
• Knowledge and understanding of research contracting – Desirable

Requirement – Recent Experience

• Recent, substantial experience of contract law and drafting and reviewing contracts – Essential
• Recent, substantial experience of negotiating contracts – Essential
• Recent experience of working in a similar role in a university or research organisation – Desirable
• Recent experience of Intellectual Property management and protection – Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal – Essential
• Able to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders – Essential
• Excellent organisational skills – Essential
• Committed and results‑driven – Essential
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work well as part of a team – Essential

Additional Requirements

• Attention to detail – Essential
• Able to present a positive image of self and the Partnership – Essential
• Promotes equality and values diversity – Essential
• Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Partnership, ensuring it is a great place to work – Essential
• Willingness to work outside standard working hours as required – Essential
• Application must include a supporting statement showing how the applicant meets the person profile criteria – Essential
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate – Essential

Who We Are

The NBIP provides non‑scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, the European Union, charitable and industrial sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 research staff, students and visiting scientists located on the Norwich Research Park.

The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities (No 223852 and 106550) and are Equal Opportunity Employers.

Role Summary

Working alongside our current Contract Managers, as well as colleagues across the Partnership and Institutes, you will lead on drafting and negotiating high‑quality contractual arrangements for sponsored research, including collaboration agreements, commercial contracts, confidentiality agreements, consultancy agreements and material transfer agreements. You will provide a professional, effective, timely and responsive contracts service, protecting the Institute’s reputation and managing risk, while ensuring scientific freedom and appropriate intellectual property provisions.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, have significant experience of contract law, drafting and reviewing contracts, and be able to demonstrate the ability to work independently within a broad framework, manage diverse workloads and deliver to tight deadlines. Excellent organisational, communication and negotiating skills are essential.