Research Contracts Manager

The Role and the Department

Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides guidance, expert advice and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related activity, including securing funding, working with partners, supporting knowledge exchange and impact, commercialisation, and ensuring good research practice.

The Research Operations Team, the largest team within the Directorate, provides comprehensive support to academic and Professional Support Services (PSS) colleagues across the full lifecycle of a research project. The team delivers pre-award, contracting, post-award and consultancy support. This includes tailored financial and contractual advice from the earliest stages of planning, costing and pricing proposals, through to efficient contract negotiation and robust financial management and compliance for awarded projects.

This is a new two-year fixed-term post within the Contracting Hub.

The Research Contracts Manager will provide professional support in the drafting, review, negotiation and management of research agreements. The post holder will help ensure that the University’s legal, financial and reputational interests are protected while supporting the effective delivery of research activity.

The role includes line management of a Research Contracts Officer, providing guidance, day-to-day support and contributing to their ongoing professional development. The post holder reports to a Senior Research Contracts Manager and will work closely with colleagues across academic departments and central professional services, as well as external partners and funders.

The role will include:

• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating research contracts, ensuring agreements are clear, accurate and aligned with University and funder requirements.
• Supporting the development and maintenance of the contracts workflow management system (Worktribe), helping to improve efficiency and data quality.
• Keeping contract templates, standard clauses and guidance materials up to date and consistent with sector best practice.
• Monitoring and interpreting changes to funder terms and conditions, ensuring updates are reflected in internal processes and contractual positions.
• Managing the contractual aspects of project transfers into and out of the University, ensuring obligations and responsibilities are handled smoothly.
• Providing day-to-day support, supervision and direction to the Research Contracts Officer, including workload planning and professional development.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.