Senior Contracts Manager

University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in Edinburgh seeks a Contract Manager to join the Research Contracts team. In this role, you will engage in negotiations and complete legal agreements that support research initiatives. You will also build relationships across various professional service teams and help maintain high standards of research governance. This opportunity offers a competitive salary and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Competitive pension schemes

Staff discounts

Family-friendly initiatives

Qualifications

• Strong line manager with excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Legal qualification or significant demonstrable experience.
• Proven expertise in managing complex contracts and legal compliance.
• Desire to enhance processes within a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Engage in negotiation and completion of legal agreements.
• Build relationships across the University’s research environment.
• Support research governance and compliance.

Skills

Strong line management

Excellent communication

Negotiation skills

Legal qualification or experience

Expertise in managing complex contracts

Process improvement

Job description

Description

Grade: UE08 : 50253 to 61759 per annum

Corporate Services Group / Edinburgh Research Office

Full time: 35 hours per week

Contract type: Open Ended

Vacancies available: 1

The Opportunity

Join our Research Contracts team at the University of Edinburgh and discover an excellent opportunity to further your career while contributing to a vital research community. This crucial role will involve engaging directly in the negotiation and completion of legal agreements that drive forward our research initiatives.

In this role you’ll build meaningful relationships across the University’s broad research environment and with professional service teams expanding your professional network and strengthening your skills in a supportive and active setting. Join us to help maintain our commitment to high standards in research governance and compliance while taking on challenging and rewarding work that supports the University’s goals.

Please note that this is not a procurement role.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and can be made by contacting Kwadwo Ohemeng‑Boakye, Deputy Head of Research Contracts, email: [email protected]

Your skills and attributes for success :

• Be a strong line manager with excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Hold a legal qualification or have significant demonstrable experience
• Have proven expertise in managing complex contracts and legal compliance
• Desire to work to enhance processes within a dynamic environment

Click to view a copy of the full job description (opens in a new tab)

Application Information

• CV
• Cover letter explaining how you meet the knowledge, skills and experience required
• Your motivation for applying for this post.

As a valued member of our team you can expect :

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts and family‑friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 4th November 2025.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browser’s local time zone.

Interviews will take place on 18 November 2025.

Directorate and Team

• The Research Operations Directorate is responsible for delivery of a high quality integrated user‑focused and resilient service which covers applications, contracting and awards. We provide the research operations services that underpin the University Research and Innovation Strategy and associated growth plans.
• The Research Contracts team is a team of solicitors and contract specialists who work closely with the University of Edinburgh research and professional services communities as well as with external stakeholders to provide expert legal advice in respect of a range of research related agreements and delivers a high‑quality research contracts service to support the University’s strategic research goals.

Required Experience: Manager

Key Skills

• Facilities Management
• ADMA
• Heavy Bus Driving
• AXA
• Building Services
• Courier Delivery

Employment Type: Full‑Time

Department / Functional Area: Legal

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1

Yearly Salary Salary: 50253 - 61759