Head of Research Contracts

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Permanent, Full-time

Closing date: 23:59 14th May 2026

Interviews will be held: 27th May 2026

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The Research, Engagement and Innovation Office (REIO) provides professional support for research and innovation activities at the University of Reading. The department consists of 6 teams working across the research lifecycle, covering pre-award research development, project set up and project management, impact, knowledge exchange and external partnerships, REF and research culture, with Research Contracts underpinning all activity.

The Head of Research Contracts is a senior position in the Research, Engagement and Innovation Office (REIO), leading a team of 11 contracts professionals. We are looking for an experienced legal contracts professional to lead the Research and Innovation Contracts team to provide a professional, and specialist contracts service to University researchers and external partners.

The postholder will ensure that agreements are drafted, reviewed, negotiated and completed efficiently, adopting a pragmatic approach in balancing many different factors. The postholder will be responsible for delivering professional, customer focussed support, engaging with senior leaders across the University to deliver this.

You will have :

• Extensive experience of drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of research and innovation contracts
• Experience of leading a team providing excellent customer service
• Experience of implementing new and improving existing processes, policies and systems to enable service improvements
• Influencing and relationship building skills with a wide variety of stakeholders
• An undergraduate degree and a formal legal qualification including being a Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive

Contact Name Dr Anne-Marie van Dodeweerd

Job Title Director of Research Services

Email address a.vandodeweerd@reading.ac.uk

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.