Senior Contracts Manager

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The Medical Research Council (MRC)

Salary: £43,116 per annum
Hours: Full time or Part time (minimum 30 hours per week)
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: MRC Harwell (Hybrid Working - Flexible)

Closing Date: 19/05/24

As a Senior Contract Manager, you will play a key part in ensuring that MRC effectively manages knowledge assets and supporting good practice in the administration of IP related contracts and other legal agreements. You will play a key part in ensuring that MRC effectively manages knowledge assets and supporting good practice in the administration of IP related contracts and other legal agreements, which are overwhelmingly Institute derived. The postholder will therefore operate within that environment (Harwell) to foster relationships across the business.

This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in all aspect of contract negotiations and drafting, setting best practice and developing effective ways of working, and working closely with the MRC's technology transfer partner.

You will be managing a caseload of R&I related contracts, as well as related projects aimed at improving ways of working and setting best practices.

As the main contact for contract related questions your duties will include identifying the appropriate contract required for new projects, reviewing terms and amendments, and liaising with other teams in UKRI such as legal and information rights.

Building a good understanding of the MRC research portfolio as well as a good knowledge of the various forms of intellectual property rights common to a research environment as well as corporate governance is key for this role.

Key Areas of Accountability

Leadership / teamwork / collaboration

You will have a matrix reporting arrangement to the Head of Knowledge Management and Scholarly Communication and the Associate Director - Industry Partnerships. You will be working across different teams within Head Office and MRC Institutes.

Delivery / programmes / projects / process

You will play an important role in managing MRC legal agreements and relevant knowhow, templates and guidance in relation to intellectual property and help disseminate them across MRC, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Drafting the necessary agreements, letters and briefings following specified templates and guidelines and to exacting deadlines
• Critically analyse contracts, identifying solutions to risks identified and make recommendations on action to take
• File and archive all project documents in accordance with the organisation's records management policy
• Liaise and coordinate activities with colleagues within the MRC and other relevant stakeholders
• Other general administrative duties associated with the projects described above, e.g. arranging meetings, filing contracts and updating project log.
• Acting as the main point of contact within MRC Head Office for enquiries and requests for information related to intellectual property and preparing draft correspondence on behalf of the MRC as required.
• Responsible for policy implementation and development for service.
• Ensure compliance with the corporate policies.
• Perform such other duties consistent with the post holder's skills and experience as delegated by line manager or senior staff.

Criteria

S = Assessed at shortlisting stage
I = Assessed at interview stage
S & I = Assessed at both shortlisting and interview stages

Essential

• Educated to a degree level or equivalent (S)
• Extensive experience and knowledge of research agreements and associated legal issues - ideally in an academic research environment (S&I)
• Demonstrable ability to critically analyse contracts, identifying solutions to risks identified and make recommendations on action to take (S&I)
• Strong drafting experience following specified templates and guidelines and to exacting deadlines (S&I)
• Highly developed planning and organisational skills and able to work under pressure, managing conflicting priorities and time effectively (S&I)
• Attention to detail and ability to deliver results consistently to tight timelines (S&I)
• Strong communication skills with the ability to produce clear, concise and accurate presentations and written documents and present complex information to a wide range of audiences (S&I)
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with colleagues at all levels, within and across teams; and to initiate and sustain productive working relationships and partnerships with external contacts (I)
• Ability to adapt and navigate ambiguity and uncertainty, exercising sound judgement and discretion (I)
• Knowledge of key issues relevant to biomedical research and innovation (S&I)

Desirable

• Degree or equivalent in law; (S)
• Good understanding of corporate governance; (S&I)
• Experience in drafting legal contracts; (S&I)

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice
• Flexible working options

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org

About the Medical Research Council (MRC)

Within UKRI, the MRC seeks to improve human health through world-class research. With an annual budget of over £800 m, MRC provides support both to individuals, through fellowships and grants, and to institutions, such as the MRC Laboratory for Molecular Biology and the Francis Crick Institute. The outcomes of our research span discovery science, improvements in public health and the development of new treatments for common diseases.

For more information about MRC, please visit https://mrc.ukri.org

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI .

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce' .

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.