Ref. 50067561
Salary £58,085 per annum (Incl. LWA)
Department/School Student and Academic Services
Location Central London
This post is full time and permanent, working 35 hours per week.
The University of Westminster has a long and distinctive history. Founded 185 years ago as London's first polytechnic institution, it has become known for the many ways in which it helps students to realise their full potential, regardless of background. Westminster's founding values are to be responsible, progressive and compassionate, with a spirit that reflects the University's global reach and location at the heart of a world city which is home to diverse communities.
We achieved excellent outcomes in 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), being recognised as a leading institution for the impact of our research, with several of our subjects amongst the very best in the UK for the evidenced difference they make to society. We are now looking to grow our research and knowledge exchange portfolio and to support this growth we are investing in talented professional research management staff, committed to making a positive difference globally.
The Senior Contracts Manager is a key contact in the Research and Knowledge Exchange Office and will play a strategic role in delivering our commitments for research and knowledge exchange external grants and contracts management as outlined in our Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy Making a Difference (2022 – 2029).
The University is committed to pursuing research and knowledge exchange activities which are financially sustainable and generate investment for the future. External income acquisition is a named institutional priority, contributing to Westminster's continuing ability to prioritise funding opportunities which have clear and compelling potential for societal impact, ensuring diverse research, researchers, impacts and output modes which reflect our commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
As part of this role you will be managing and delivering high-quality contract service to academic colleagues, working with external collaborators in the UK, Europe and internationally. You will be providing advice and guidance on all aspects of commercial research and knowledge exchange contracts and drafting, reviewing and negotiating various types of research and knowledge exchange contracts and agreements, ensuring that contractual obligations and risks are highlighted. You will be responsible for compliance with all relevant statutes, regulations and sector standards. You will also provide support to senior leaders for research and knowledge exchange to grow institutional knowledge and review / develop necessary templates, agreements, processes and procedures.
The post will contribute to the development of a research environment underpinned by an inclusive research culture where colleagues are encouraged to explore their full potential including a range of research careers and opportunities.
The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience and success in an in-house contracts role and a proven knowledge of the end-to-end contractual process in the Higher Education sector. They will be familiar with the most commonly used templates for research in the UK and have an up-to-date knowledge of EU and International funding and consortia agreements. The successful candidate will have also worked on knowledge exchange related contracts for consultancy, contract research and commercialisation and will ideally have an excellent grasp of IP, VAT and data management issues, relating to research and knowledge exchange contracts and be familiar with the most common risks when entering into research and knowledge exchange collaborations. They will have proven influencing and communication skills and professional networks which will facilitate the processing of large contracts for the University with external partners. They will be able to evidence a commitment to implementing a continuous programme of evaluation and improvement for research and knowledge exchange contracts management.
To apply for this vacancy please click above. Further information can be found in the job description and person specification, which can be accessed through link below.
At the University of Westminster, diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity are at the core of how we engage with students, colleagues, applicants, visitors and all our stakeholders.
We are fully committed to enabling a supportive and safe learning and working environment which is equitable, diverse and inclusive, is based on mutual respect and trust, and in which harassment and discrimination are neither tolerated nor acceptable.
The University has adopted Smart Working principles to support and further our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion aims of being an inclusive, collaborative and flexible employer. Further details of Smart Working can be discussed at interview stage.
Closing date: midnight on 28 November 2023
Interviews are likely to be held on within either week commencing 4 December or 11 December 2023
Administrative contact (for queries only): [email protected]
JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION