Legal Contracts Manager

Construction; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Val Wade Recruitment is seeking an experienced Legal Contracts Manager to join a world‑leading university’s Research & Innovation team in Central London. The role is hybrid, 35 hours per week, paying £30–£35 per hour PAYE, to support research, innovation and commercial activity with practical contract advice.

You will draft, review and negotiate a broad range of research and commercial agreements, advise on risk and ensure obligations are met, while collaborating with IP, business development

Qualifications

• Experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating legal contracts.
• Good understanding of liability, warranties, governing law and jurisdiction.
• Ability to explain complex contractual matters to non-lawyers.
• Law degree or equivalent legal qualification required.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a broad range of research and commercial agreements
• Working on research funding and collaboration agreements, NDAs, MTAs, data sharing agreements, studentship agreements and framework agreements
• Advising academics and professional services colleagues on contractual obligations and risk
• Providing guidance around areas including IP, publication rights, confidentiality, liability, indemnities and data protection
• Identifying contractual risks and finding practical, commercially sensible solutions
• Managing contracts through to completion and ensuring relevant obligations are met
• Working collaboratively with research, business development, IP and commercialisation teams
• Helping develop processes, guidance and best practice within a growing contracts function

Skills

Drafting contracts

Negotiating contracts

Contract risk advisory

Stakeholder communication

Education

Law degree or equivalent

Job description

Legal Contracts Manager, Higher Education Research and Innovation, Central London / Hybrid, £30-£35 per hour PAYE, 35 hours per week

Are you an experienced Legal Contracts Manager looking to join a growing Research & Innovation team within a world-leading university?

This is a varied role for someone who enjoys getting into the detail of contracts, providing practical advice and working closely with a wide range of stakeholders. You'll play an important part in supporting research, innovation and commercial activity, helping projects move forward while ensuring contractual and commercial risks are properly understood and managed.

What will you be doing?

• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a broad range of research and commercial agreements
• Working on research funding and collaboration agreements, NDAs, MTAs, data sharing agreements, studentship agreements and framework agreements
• Advising academics and professional services colleagues on contractual obligations and risk
• Providing guidance around areas including IP, publication rights, confidentiality, liability, indemnities and data protection
• Identifying contractual risks and finding practical, commercially sensible solutions
• Managing contracts through to completion and ensuring relevant obligations are met
• Working collaboratively with research, business development, IP and commercialisation teams
• Helping develop processes, guidance and best practice within a growing contracts function

What are we looking for?

You’ll have experience of drafting, reviewing and negotiating legal contracts and a good understanding of key contractual issues such as liability, warranties, governing law and jurisdiction.

You’ll also be confident communicating complex contractual matters to people who may not have a legal background. Strong organisation is important, as you’ll be managing multiple agreements, stakeholders and deadlines at different stages.

A Law degree or equivalent legal qualification is required.

Experience within Higher Education, research funding or a research/commercial environment would be useful, but it’s not essential. More important is your ability to provide sound contractual advice, manage risk and deliver a responsive, high-quality service.

This is an opportunity to join a developing Research & Innovation contracts team at an important stage in its growth, supporting a wide range of research and commercial activity while helping shape how the contracts function operates.

Due to the large number of applications that we receive, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Val Wade Recruitment are actively looking for applicants from underrepresented communities and pride ourselves as an equal opportunities' employer and agency.