Research Contracts Manager | Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

IMPERIAL COLLEGE HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST; London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in London seeks an experienced Research Contracts Manager to deliver legal support for crucial clinical research. In this role, you will lead contract negotiations, manage a team of specialists, and ensure compliance with UK research regulations. The ideal candidate will have a legal qualification and experience in contract management within NHS or academic settings, demonstrating strong negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills. Flexible working and career development opportunities are included.

Benefits

Career development

Flexible working

Staff recognition scheme

Membership options for onsite leisure facilities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in research contract management, preferably within NHS or academic environments.
• Strong knowledge of UK research governance frameworks.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate research agreements including clinical trial contracts.
• Act as the primary legal contact for complex contracts.
• Manage and mentor a team of Contract Specialists.

Skills

Negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Organizational skills

Legal compliance

Education

Legal qualification (or working towards one)

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Research Contracts Manager to join the Joint Research Office at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality legal and contractual support to a leading NHS Trust engaged in cutting-edge clinical research. Working with internal stakeholders and external partners, you will lead a team of contract specialists and manage a diverse portfolio of high-value research agreements. If you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and are passionate about supporting research excellence, we would love to hear from you.

As Research Contracts Manager, you will:

• Lead the drafting, negotiation, and execution of a wide range of research agreements, including clinical trial contracts, collaboration agreements, and confidentiality agreements.
• Act as the primary legal contact for complex or high-risk contracts, ensuring regulatory and legal compliance.
• Manage and mentor a team of Contract Specialists, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders including researchers, clinicians, pharmaceutical companies, CROs, and academic institutions.
• Drive service development, ensuring our contract processes remain efficient, compliant, and future-ready.

We’re seeking a highly organised and motivated professional with:

• A legal qualification (or working towards one), ideally at postgraduate level.
• Proven experience in research contract management, preferably within NHS, academic, or legal environments.
• Strong knowledge of UK research governance frameworks, including the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations, Human Tissue Act, and Data Protection Act.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A collaborative mindset and commitment to delivering high-quality service.

Interview are will be held on 18th August.

At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care.

Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You’ll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career.

Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview..



The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.

For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.

For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.


This advert closes on Tuesday 5 Aug 2025