Senior Contracts Manager

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site leisure facilities

Day nurseries

Stagecoach travel discount

Free Park and Ride

Parking subsidy

24/7 on-site meals at reduced cost

Staff pod break spaces

Caf with free tea and coffee

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Senior Contracts Manager to join the R&D legal team. The role involves negotiating research-related contracts with national and international partners and advising on regulatory issues within the NHS.

The position is full-time, with consideration for part-time/job-share; closing date is 05 November 2026, interviews 16 November 2026, and a 12-week probation applies to start dates after 1 October 2026.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate or graduate with relevant practical experience of contract law.
• Degree in law or a diploma in legal practice, SQE or equivalent.
• GCP Training (Good Clinical Practice)

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate highly complex contracts and agreements for research studies that involve the Trust and ensure those agreements protect the Trust's interests and those of its patients.
• Analyse complex contractual and legal obligations in light of available guidance and potentially conflicting evidence.
• Research and advise on the interpretation and compliance with statutory or regulatory matters and the interpretation of Trust policies and procedures to members of the R&D Department and to researchers.
• Actively keep up to date with all changes to relevant research guidance and legislation and pro-actively provide updates and training on the statutory and regulatory framework to researchers and to members of the R&D Department.

Skills

Contract negotiations

Analytical skills

Communication and negotiation

Presentation skills

Teamwork

Work under pressure

Education

Law degree or diploma in legal practice, SQE or equivalent

Job description

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Contracts Manager

The closing date is 05 November 2026

R&D manages numerous research applications each month for the set-up of research studies, the majority of which require multiple contracts to be negotiated and implemented by the R&D legal team.

We are seeking an experienced senior contracts manager to join the R&D legal team to strengthen our in-house expertise and initiate and review research related contracts and negotiate with other Trusts, Universities, and research organisations (both nationally and internationally) to promote and protect the Trust's interests.

The postholder will also review other contracts relating to research such as those issued by the Department of Health and advise on legal issues relating to research in the health service.

The role is full-time but part-time/job share applicants will also be considered.

Main duties of the job

Draft, review and negotiate highly complex contracts and agreements for research studies that involve the Trust and ensure those agreements protect the Trust's interests and those of its patients.Analyse complex contractual and legal obligations in the light of available guidance and potentially conflicting evidenceResearch and advise on the interpretation and compliance with statutory or regulatory matters and the interpretation of Trust policies and procedures to members of the R&D Department and to researchers.Actively keep up to date with all changes to relevant research guidance and legislation and pro-actively provide updates and training on the statutory and regulatory framework to researchers and to members of the R&D Department.Make sure that key contractual obligations have been highlighted to the research staff.In the case of potential non-compliance with the statutory framework, provide clear guidance to researchers and the trust about their respective legal obligations.Contribute to regular reviews of the Trust's policies and procedures for research and research related themes.The postholder will be required to communicate difficult decisions to the research community.

About us

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 5th November 2026.

Interviews are due to be held on 16th November 2026.

All appointments with a start date on or after 1 October 2026 will be subject to a 12-week probationary period. This provides a structured and supportive period to help you settle into your role, with regular reviews and feedback.

Right to Work

As there is a 12-week probationary period, successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full-time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full-time permanent contract unless you have:

- applied for a Graduate visa

- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment

Benefits to you

• At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days.
• We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries.
• Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site.
• Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals.
• We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
• On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues.
• Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces.
• Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge.
• Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
• CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances.
• Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
• Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given.
• In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
• We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• oA postgraduate or a graduate with relevant practical experience of contract law. (A)
• oA degree in law or a diploma in legal practice, SQE or equivalent. (A)
• oGCP Training (A)

Experience

• oConsiderable experience as a contracts manager gained in a city or leading regional practice or in-house or in industry. (A)
• oAn understanding of the monitoring process of research in the NHS. (A, I)
• oExperience in a life science or research setting. (A)

Knowledge

• oExcellent knowledge of contract law (A, I)
• oExcellent Knowledge of contractual provisions relating to data protection and ICO guidance. (A/I)
• oKnowledge of current government policy and relevant legislation relating to clinical research such as the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research and the regulations relating to clinical trials and medical devices in the UK as well as the Human Tissue Act. (A, I)
• oExperience of commercial contracts. (A, I)
• oWorking knowledge of procurement law. (A, I)
• oAn understanding of the healthcare system in the UK or a willingness to learn about the healthcare system and clinical research within the NHS. (A, I)

Skills

• oWell-developed analytical capabilities (I)
• oAbility to interpret complex contract terms (I)
• oExcellent presentation skills (I)
• oAbility to communicate, negotiate and influence effectively as appropriate at all levels (I)
• oHighly motivated, committed and effective team member (I)
• oWork flexibly and creatively, and quickly and accurately when under pressure, working to tight deadlines (I)

Additional Requirements

• oThe ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent. (I, A)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.