Contracts Manager

University of Sheffield - Professional services - Research Partnerships & Innovation

Location: Sheffield, Hybrid

Salary: £38,784 to £47,389

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Placed On: 18th September 2025

Closes: 17th October 2025

Job Ref: 1512

Working Pattern: Full-time: 35 hours per week

Protect Research Innovation: Become Our Legal Contracts Manager

We are seeking a highly skilled and dedicated Legal Contracts Manager to join our Contracts Team and play a pivotal role in safeguarding the University's groundbreaking research. This role provides the critical legal framework for our researchers to explore and innovate with confidence.

As Legal Contracts Manager, you'll safeguard our intellectual property by crafting and managing contracts. We need a strategic problem solver who can anticipate potential legal challenges and develop proactive solutions. You will be responsible for identifying and mitigating risks, ensuring that our research is protected from legal vulnerabilities. Your ability to understand the broader context of each project will be crucial in navigating complex legal landscapes and securing the best possible outcomes for the University.

Effective communication is a must-have for this role. Developing strong relationships and offering clear, concise advice will be vital for promoting a collaborative and supportive atmosphere.

We are looking for an independent and self-motivated professional who can take initiative and manage their workload effectively. You will be responsible for managing multiple contracts simultaneously. Your ability to work autonomously and prioritise tasks will be crucial in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of our contract management processes.

A genuine passion for safeguarding intellectual property and ensuring legal compliance is essential. You will be a dedicated protector of the University's research assets, ensuring that our researchers can focus on their work without fear of legal challenges. Your commitment to upholding ethical standards and adhering to legal regulations will be paramount.

We foster continuous learning and professional development. Your role will involve staying updated on relevant legislation, regulations, and standard processes in contract management. We are committed to supporting your professional growth through training, networking, and development opportunities.

Collaboration and teamwork drive our success. You'll build strong university-wide relationships, creating a robust legal framework for research. As a supportive line manager, you'll mentor your team, fostering collaboration and ensuring they have the resources and guidance to succeed.

In this role, you'll be more than just a contract specialist. You'll be a vital part of a dynamic and friendly team of 16, navigating the complexities of over 3,000 research contracts annually. We're a busy department, fuelled by camaraderie and a shared dedication to supporting research excellence. You'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded professionals, all working together to achieve a common goal.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. We are committed to exploring flexible working opportunities which benefit the individual and University.

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.