Senior Contracts Manager

UK Dementia Research Institute; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institute in the UK is seeking a Senior Contracts Manager to provide expert oversight for contracts that support research and strategic initiatives. This role will involve drafting and negotiating agreements with universities and commercial partners, ensuring robust relationship management, and standardising contract processes. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in contract management and a passion for making a meaningful impact in the field of neurodegenerative research.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Flexible holiday scheme

Private medical cover

Group Life Assurance

Income Protection & Critical Illness Cover

Season Ticket Loan

Generous pension scheme

Voluntary benefits programme

Hybrid working arrangement

Qualifications

• Outstanding communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage priorities effectively with accuracy.
• Experience in fostering strong professional relationships.
• Extensive experience in high-level contract management.
• Knowledge of dementia and/or neurodegeneration is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Draft, amend, and negotiate contracts with stakeholders.
• Cultivate strong relationships with host universities.
• Develop a library of standardized contract templates.
• Provide legal guidance on transactions and negotiations.

Skills

Communication & negotiation

Organisation & precision

Relationship building

Contract management expertise

Stakeholder collaboration

Project & relationship management

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Interviews: There will be a two-stage process comprising of an onlineinterview and an in-person.

In-person interview: 22 January 2026

Closing date for applications: 7 January 2026

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute with a community of c. 1000 researchers investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, driving a step change in our understanding of neurodegeneration, and accelerating the discovery, development and delivery of interventions that will help diagnose, treat, and ultimately prevent dementia.

As our Senior Contracts Manager you will provide expert contract management that underpin the Institute’s research, commercial and strategic initiatives. This will include collaborative research agreements with commercial organisations, licensing and spin‑out agreements. This role will work closely with our Group Leaders, host universities, and external funding companies/investors.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for a proactive and experienced Contract Management expert who is passionate about making a meaningful impact. In this role, you’ll leverage your expertise to:

Contract management: Draft, amend, and negotiate contracts with commercial organisations, host universities (both in the UK and internationally), and other stakeholders. Lead the development of key agreements, including funding agreements, new centre agreements, strategic initiatives, and procurement of goods and services.

Relationship management: Cultivate strong, collaborative, and proactive relationships with host universities to ensure smooth and efficient progression of UK DRI contracts and terms.

Standardisation & efficiency: Develop and maintain a library of standardised contract templates for use across the Institute, streamlining processes and ensuring consistency.

Legal expertise & due diligence: Stay up to date with contract management best practices, relevant legislation, intellectual property (IP), technology transfer, and other critical areas. Provide essential legal guidance on transactions and contractual negotiations, conducting thorough due diligence to safeguard the Institute’s interests. Share knowledge and build awareness across teams to promote compliance and understanding.

What you’ll need

To excel in this role, you’ll bring:

• Communication & negotiation: Outstanding communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence and build consensus.
• Organisation & precision: A proven ability to manage priorities effectively, combined with a sharp eye for detail and accuracy.
• Relationship building: Experience in fostering strong professional relationships, both as an independent specialist and as part of a collaborative, matrix team.
• Qualifications & learning: A degree or equivalent experience, with a commitment to continuous learning, particularly in the legal aspects of contract management.
• Sector knowledge: Up-to-date experience and expertise in the sector, with a focus on contract management.
• Contract management expertise: Extensive experience in high-level contract management, including university spin‑out creation and IP licensing.
• Stakeholder collaboration: Experience working with universities, public sector bodies, and commercial partners.
• Project & relationship management: The ability to proactively manage multiple projects and key relationships with a positive, solution‑focused approach.
• Sector awareness (desirable): Knowledge or understanding of dementia and/or neurodegeneration.

What we offer

We believe in rewarding our team with more than just a competitive base salary an opportunity to make a difference. Here’s what you can look forward to:

Work-Life Balance

• Generous holiday allowance: 27 days of annual leave (plus UK Bank Holidays) to recharge and explore.
• Flexible holiday scheme: Buy or sell up to 5 days of annual leave to suit your lifestyle.
• Business closure days: Enjoy up to 6 additional days off each year.

Health & Wellbeing

• Private medical cover: Single medical insurance to support your health and peace of mind.
• Group Life Assurance: Protection for your loved ones with coverage up to 4x your base salary.
• Income Protection & Critical Illness Cover: Financial security when you need it most.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Confidential support for your mental and emotional wellbeing.

Family-Friendly Support

• Enhanced maternity, paternity, neonatal and adoption pay: Because family matters.

Financial Perks

• Season Ticket Loan: Save on your commute with an interest‑free loan.
• Generous pension scheme: Contribute 6.1% as an employee, with an employer contribution of 15.9% helping you build a secure future.

Plus

• Voluntary benefits programme: Access a wide range of discounts and perks tailored to your lifestyle.
• Hybrid working: We embrace a hybrid working model, with the majority of your time spent in our collaborative modern office environment in London. We offer the flexibility to work remotely for up to 1-2 days per week.

About the UK DRI

Today, over 1M people in the UK are living with dementia and related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and motor neuron disease (MND). The impact of these incurable and progressive conditions on individuals and their families is devastating. Societal costs are staggering and growing as the population ages.

Due to major advances in our understanding of the biology of these disorders the field is at an inflection point with the next decade promising to deliver transformative breakthroughs in therapies and a new era of predictive, preventative, and precision medicine. The UK is well placed to play a leading role in this revolution due to its strengths in science required for discovery and delivery, led by the UK DRI working with our world‑class university‑based centres. To find out more about the UK's leading biomedical research institute dedicated to neurodegenerative diseases, visit. UK Dementia Research Institute.

To apply

Please submit your CV and covering letter detailing why you wish to join the UK DRI, your current salary, availability,and your experience for this role.

No agencies please.

By applying to this role, you understand and agree that your information will be shared within the UK DRI People & Culture team and/or any team members who will be part of the hiring process.

UK DRI is committed to equal opportunities.

The UK DRI embraces diversity, inclusion and accessibility for all of our people. We are committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring inclusion in everything we do. This means ensuring our recruitment processes are barrier‑free and as inclusive as possible to everyone. We will make adjustments for people who have a disability or long‑term condition.