Organisation
Cranfield University
School/Department
Research & Innovation
Based at
Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire
Hours of work
37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered.
Contract type
Permanent
Salary
Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £48,039 to £57,797 per annum with potential progression to £70,000 per annum
Posted Date
08/02/2024
Apply by
03/03/2024
Documents
About the Role
You will work closely with Cranfield researchers and departmental teams to ensure the University's research and consultancy activity is governed by suitable terms that both protect the University's interests as a charitable institution of research and teaching, and enable effective collaboration to flourish. You will be responsible for drafting, negotiating and advising on a wide range of research collaboration agreements, confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, studentships, amendments and associated documents.
About You
You will be expected to have demonstrable knowledge and experience of complex contract negotiation across a broad range of sponsors – both public and commercial, and be adept at drafting contractual solutions to achieve a negotiated agreement. A keen knowledge of intellectual property issues as they apply in the context of a higher education institution and against the backdrop of funded research is central to the role. As this is a senior position with line management responsibilities, previous experience of managing contracts staff would be an advantage.
You will report to the Assistant Director, Research Operations and your primary responsibilities will be to:
Review, draft and negotiate a wide range of research and commercial contracts covering the full spectrum of research-related activities.
Provide clear, pragmatic advice on the implications of contractual terms within the context of research, using a comprehensive working knowledge of research contract issues, such as confidentiality, publication requirements, intellectual property, VAT and other related issues.
Ensure that contractual terms are clear and appropriate, and that institutional risk is identified and appropriately assessed within each contract.
Develop a solid understanding of relevant University policies to ensure contracts are compliant.
In conjunction with fellow Senior Contracts Managers, play a central role in the continual on-going review of the University's range of template agreements and processes for contract negotiation and administration.
Build, develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders - within RIO and the broader University, as well as with external sponsors and collaborators.
Line manage less experienced colleague(s), developing their contract negotiation experience and supporting their professional development
About Us
As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield's world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.
The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) supports researchers in working together to achieve excellence and impact in delivering the University's vision for research and innovation. The Research Commercial function within RIO is focused on enabling the research activities of the University whilst mitigating and protecting against contractual risk.
Our Values and Commitments
Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.
We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.
Working Arrangements
Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Philip Cull, Assistant Director Research Operations, on (T); +44 (0) 7920 204258 or (E); [email protected]
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: [email protected] Please quote reference number.