The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

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.

Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Legal Contracts Manager to join our team in supporting research. This role offers a hybrid working environment with up to 50% remote work, excellent professional development opportunities, and a dedication to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

We are looking for someone who:

• Possesses strong legal contracts expertise: You have extensive knowledge of legal drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and agreements. You can quickly grasp the bigger picture of any project, identifying key risks and opportunities.

• Is proactive and solution-oriented: You're adept at identifying potential issues and developing creative solutions. You're comfortable working independently and taking initiative to improve processes.

• Excels at building relationships and communication: You're a skilled communicator with strong interpersonal skills, able to provide personalised advice and mentorship on contracts. You’re effective at fostering positive working relationships and collaborating effectively across teams.

• Is an experienced and supportive line manager: You have a proven track record of developing people, excelling at mentoring, and motivating individuals. You can effectively support individuals to prioritise work and foster a collaborative environment.

• Is committed to continuous learning and growth: You're eager to expand your existing experience and actively seek professional development opportunities.

• Values collaboration and teamwork: You actively seek opportunities to build positive relationships and drive process improvements beyond your immediate team. You understand the importance of teamwork and contribute positively to a collaborative culture.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Contract Negotiation: Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of research and innovation contracts with external organisations. Focus on securing the best possible outcomes for the University by ensuring appropriate terms, acceptable risk levels, and clear understanding of obligations. This includes contracts for research, material transfer, MoUs, IP licenses, scholarships, consultancy, collaborations and funding agreements.

• Line Management: Provide line management to individuals, including workload prioritisation, development and training, and day-to-day support and guidance. Foster a collaborative and productive team environment.

• Expert Contractual Advice: Offer pragmatic recommendations aligned with University policy and regulations. Clearly explain contractual terms and potential risks to researchers and project staff, translating complex language into practical advice.

• Process Improvement and Collaboration: Collaborate with colleagues to ensure a pragmatic, risk-based approach to contracting, contributing to  team guidance and process developments to increase efficiency and consistency. 

• Contract Interpretation and Documentation: Interpret contract clauses for non-specialist audiences, translating practical arrangements into contractual terms. Prepare recommendations for agreement signatures and maintain accurate records, updating databases promptly to reflect on-going negotiations.

• Professional Development and Networking: Proactively develop skills, engage in continuous professional development, and stay up-to-date on legal advice and relevant regulations. Maintain an active professional network with other Higher Education Institutions to share best practices and contribute to relevant committees and groups.

• University Citizenship: Make ethical decisions, embedding the University's sustainability strategy into working activities. 

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification 

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Grade: 7

Salary: £38,784 to £47,389 per annum, with potential to progress to £51,753 through outstanding contribution

Work arrangement: Full-time

Line manager: Senior Contracts Manager

Direct reports: Contracts Officers

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Verity Clarke, Contracts Team Manager: on v.e.clarke@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 1439

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 6th November. This will consist of a selection exercise and interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on w/c 20th October. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Alison Hunt at a.m.hunt@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

• Generous pension scheme.

• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework

• A range of generous family-friendly policies

  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

  • support for those going through the menopause

  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment

  • and more

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

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

A BPSS check will be needed for this role, which includes a DBS check. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/BPSS (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

The University of Sheffield is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our staff and students. It is an offence to apply for this role if you have been barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. Applicants will be subject to relevant safeguarding checks in line with the requirements of each role and the guidance from the Department for Education.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
- Childcare disqualification
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
- Medical
- Online and social media
- Eligibility to work
- Satisfactory references
- Suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Safeguarding policy

Employment of ex-offenders policy