4,000 professionals, 0 days wasted, 1 incredible purpose.  

Contracts Manager

£43,000 - £48,000 plus benefits

Reports to: Senior Solicitor

Directorate: Research & Innovation

Contract: 12 month fixed-term contract, maternity cover

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week , flexible working requests will be considered

Location: Stratford, London Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)

Closing date: 19 August 2024 23:55

This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment. Please let us know if there is anything about the recruitment process that you would like to discuss, in particular if there are any changes or adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply. Please contact [email protected] or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.

Recruitment process: Teams competency-based interview + 2nd round interview including Task

Interview date: 29/30 August 2024

Please note: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

Cancer Research UK have an opportunity for a meticulous and proactive Contracts Manager to join our Research and Innovations (R&I) directorate’s legal team.  As a Contracts Manager you will use your experience of drafting and negotiating standard contracts to partner with various teams within R&I (including our commercial partnerships and drug discovery teams) providing an efficient and professional service including drafting, amending, negotiating and finalising standard/non-complex contracts. 

This is a great opportunity for a candidate with knowledge of intellectual property rights within an academic and commercial setting.  You’ll have the chance to partner with a wide variety of stakeholders in the life sciences space including big pharma, academic institutes and spin outs, building your knowledge in these areas. 

What will I be doing?

• Review, draft and negotiate the following classes of agreements:

• material transfer agreements (MTAs), ensuring they are completed in a timely and effective manner.

• confidential disclosure agreements (CDAs) in relation to all aspects of CRUK’s Commercial Partnerships business;

• consultancy agreements;

• Work closely with business managers and academic researchers (and their technology transfer offices) to develop a good understanding of any issues that might arise including the risks of entering into specific MTAs, CDAs or other contracts

• Manage and streamline template agreements (CDAs, MTAs etc)

• Manage a large portfolio of agreements in a timely fashion, prioritising as needed

• Where appropriate, assist with drafting and negotiating intellectual property assignments, license agreements and other agreement types .

• Interact with external research institutes, funding bodies and large business entities in the negotiation of relevant contracts

What are you looking for?

You could currently work as a Contracts Manager, a Contracts Negotiator or Paralegal, we are open to a diverse range of backgrounds, however you’ll be able to demonstrate:

• Previous experience drafting and negotiating standard contracts, with a good working knowledge of intellectual property rights and their management in an academic and commercial setting

• Proactive self-starter with excellent organisation and communication skills

• Solution-focused and pragmatic, with the ability to apply legal knowledge and good practice in day-to-day work

• Good relationship skills and ability to build effective internal networks for collaboration and knowledge sharing

• Good interpersonal and communication skills in all media, including written and verbal

• Ability to innovate processes and identify and communicate new and efficient ways of working

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination  

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism   

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people  

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.

How do I apply?

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact [email protected] or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.