Head of Research Contracts

The Research, Engagement and Innovation Office (REIO) provides professional support for research and innovation activities at the University of Reading. The department consists of 6 teams working across the research lifecycle, covering pre-award research development, project set up and project management, impact, knowledge exchange and external partnerships, REF and research culture, with Research Contracts underpinning all activity.

The Head of Research Contracts is a senior position in the Research, Engagement and Innovation Office (REIO), leading a team of 11 contracts professionals. We are looking for an experienced legal contract professional to lead the Research and Innovation Contracts team to provide a professional, and specialist contracts service to University researchers and external partners.

The postholder will ensure that agreements are drafted, reviewed, negotiated and completed efficiently, adopting a pragmatic approach in balancing many different factors. The postholder will be responsible for delivering professional, customer focussed support, engaging with senior leaders across the University to deliver this.

You will have:

• Extensive experience of drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of research and innovation contracts
• Experience of leading a team providing excellent customer service
• Experience of implementing new and improving existing processes, policies and systems to enable service improvements
• Influencing and relationship building skills with a wide variety of stakeholders
• An undergraduate degree and be a Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive

Contact Name, Job Title and Email address Dr Anne-Marie van Dodeweerd, Director of Research Services, a.vandodeweerd@reading.ac.uk.

Closing date for applications: 23:59 14th May 2026

Interviews will be held: Wednesday 27th May 2026