Contracts Manager (Higher Education)

JR United Kingdom; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in the education sector seeks a Contracts Manager in Chesterfield. This pivotal role involves managing the lifecycle of commercial contracts, providing legal support, and working closely with partners. Ideal candidates will have proven experience in legal environments, excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to work independently within tight deadlines. Join us to play a crucial role in supporting our client's operations and foster partnerships in higher education.

Qualifications

• Experience with commercial contract reviews and negotiation.
• Ability to understand and explain legal terms to non-legal colleagues.
• Experience in higher education environment is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end contracting process for new study centres.
• Provide in-house legal guidance and support contract negotiations.
• Highlight potential expiry of contracts and manage renewals.

Skills

IT Skills

Legal Analysis

Negotiation

Contract Management

Concise Communication

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

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Contracts Manager (Higher Education), chesterfield

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Client:

FJWilson Talent Services

Location:

chesterfield, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

4

Posted:

31.05.2025

Expiry Date:

15.07.2025

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Job Description:

Contracts Manager

Are you a legal specialist with strong in-house experience managing commercial contracts?

Are you ready to take on a pivotal role as the sole legal professional in house?

If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

Join our client as a Legal Services Manager where you will be at the heart of our client’s operations, supporting the CEO with high-stakes contract negotiations and taking full ownership of the contracting process.

Key facts

★ Salary range of ca £40,000- £45,000 p.a.

★ Home based, with occasional travel to their Manchester/London office and external meetings, as required (all travel costs will be reimbursed)

The role

In this role, you will support the CEO with contract negotiations and take ownership of the process. You will manage the end-to-end contracting process with new study centres and universities, with a split of around 50:50 UK:international contracts. As the only legal professional in-house, you will provide support to internal colleagues, triage matters, and either handle them yourself or outsource for relevant legal expertise. Engaging with universities and study centres to foster partnerships will also be a key part of your role. Occasionally, you will attend ad-hoc in-person meetings, primarily international and for new business. Additionally, you will receive mentoring on broader commercial aspects to enhance your skills.

Key responsibilities of this role include:

• Develop a full understanding of the contract lifecycle from initiation to invoicing and ceasing of services
• Provide in-house legal guidance in relation to the design, processing, and administration of commercial contracts within a business growth environment
• Assist with the provision of in-house legal advice in relation to commercial dispute resolution
• Ensure a consistent approach is applied across the whole contract lifecycle process
• Highlight potential expiry of contracts, inform relevant internal stakeholders, and work for a resolution of the renewal
• Assist with exit arrangements from contracts as and when required
• Take ownership of the day-to-day administration of the portfolio of partner contracts.

The ideal candidate

Qualifications:

Experience:

• Experience of providing legal support with commercial contract reviews
• Experience of identifying risk and its implication to the business
• Experience of proofreading large contracts and other complex documentation for quality, consistency, and content
• Experience of negotiating contract terms with suppliers and customers
• Experience of tracking contract schedules and initiating contract renewals
• Experience working in a higher education environment
• Prior CLM experience, preferably in an administrator role (with integration experience)
• Ability to take in large documents and understand legal contracts in a business-to-business setting
• Ability to explain legal terms to non-legal colleagues

Skills & Knowledge:

• IT Skills particularly MS Excel at intermediate level or better
• Able to provide concise, clear information

Personal Qualities:

• Self-starter, independent, creative thinker, and common sense oriented, with the ability to exercise good judgment
• Effective, organised with the ability to manage multiple demands
• Positive, enthusiastic, and proactive approach to work
• Ability to work to tight timescales with a sense of urgency
• Ability to work well in a team
• Commitment towards developing an open, honest, and respectful culture.

Our client

A global organisation in the education sector.

Interested?

For a confidential conversation with FJWilson Talent before applying, please contact us on 0203 195 3600, or email us at [emailprotected]

Our privacy policy is available on our website: https://www.fjwilson.com/notices/

The services advertised by FJWilson Talent Services are those of a recruitment business.

We encourage applications from all sections of the community. Furthermore, qualifications and/or experience identified are indicative. We will consider applications from candidates who have comparable qualifications and/or experience for role advertised.