Research Contracts Manager

Research Contracts Manager

Location: London (Hybrid – 3 to 4 days onsite per week)
Salary: Up to £60 Per hour (umbrella) – DOE

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Research Contracts Manager to join a leading higher education environment, supporting the successful delivery of a diverse portfolio of research partnerships and collaborations.

This is a key role within the research support function, responsible for managing, reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a wide range of research-related agreements. You will work closely with academics, researchers, external partners, funders, commercial organisations, and internal legal teams to ensure agreements are commercially sound, legally robust, and aligned with institutional policies.

The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of research contracts, intellectual property, risk management, and collaborative research arrangements, with the ability to provide practical advice in a complex academic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Review, draft, negotiate, and manage a variety of research agreements, including:
  • Collaboration agreements
  • Funding agreements
  • Consortium agreements
  • Confidentiality agreements (NDAs)
  • Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs)
  • Data sharing agreements
  • Research and commercial contracts
• Provide expert advice to academic colleagues and research teams on contractual matters, risks, obligations, and commercial considerations.
• Negotiate contract terms with external organisations, including universities, research institutions, industry partners, and funding bodies.
• Identify and manage risks relating to intellectual property, confidentiality, publication rights, liability, indemnity, data protection, and regulatory requirements.
• Work collaboratively with internal legal teams and other professional services teams to ensure agreements progress efficiently from negotiation through to completion.
• Support research partnerships and consortium activity, ensuring contractual commitments are understood and effectively managed.
• Maintain accurate records of agreements, approvals, and contractual documentation.
• Contribute to improving processes, guidance, and best practice across research contracting activity.

About You

You will be an experienced contracts professional with a background in higher education, research, legal services, or a related environment.

You will ideally have:

• Experience managing research contracts or complex commercial agreements.
• A strong understanding of contract drafting, review, and negotiation.
• Experience working with universities, research organisations, or research funding environments.
• Knowledge of intellectual property, confidentiality, data sharing, and contractual risk.
• The ability to interpret complex legal and commercial terms and provide clear practical advice.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to work with academics, senior leaders, external partners, and legal advisers.

A legal qualification or strong legal background (for example LLB, LPC, SQE, solicitor training, or equivalent commercial contracts experience) would be highly desirable.

About the Team

You will join a collaborative research support environment that enables world-leading research through effective partnerships, robust agreements, and excellent stakeholder support.

This role offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of research, law, and commercial partnerships, helping researchers build impactful collaborations while protecting institutional interests.

Essential Experience

• Research contracts, commercial contracts, or agreements experience.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating contractual terms.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders and managing competing priorities.
• Ability to understand and manage contractual risk.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience within a university or research organisation.
• Experience with research collaborations, funded projects, or consortium agreements.
• Knowledge of intellectual property rights within research environments.
• Legal qualification or legal training.