Main Purpose of the Job

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Contracts Manager to join their busy Research Grants and Contracts department and support world leading research.

Working alongside our current Contract Managers as well as colleagues across the Partnership and Institutes you will lead on drafting and negotiating high quality contractual arrangements for sponsored research including, but not limited to, collaboration agreements, commercial contracts, confidentiality agreements, consultancy agreements and material transfer agreements. Working in support of the researchers and driven by business needs, you will provide a professional, effective, timely and responsive contracts service.

The role is important in protecting the Institutes' reputation with third parties and stake holders in how it drafts and negotiates contracts. It is key in managing risk in contracts, ensuring appropriate indemnity and mitigation from litigation. It will ensure scientific freedom to operate for the Norwich Bioscience Institutes researchers whilst ensuring appropriate Intellectual Property provisions including access rights and financial considerations.

Key Relationships

The Contracts Manager will be a member of the Contracts Team and will be an expert in contractual management for the Institutes. They will need to work closely in support of researchers across the Institutes and their relevant Business Development teams. They will need to liaise on negotiation of contracts with other academic Research Organisations and HEIs as well as Companies across the sectors relevant to the Norwich Bioscience Institutes research activities.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Contract drafting and negotiation
Drafting, reviewing and negotiating terms on a variety of research and commercial contracts on behalf of the Norwich Bioscience Institutes.
Ensuring that contractual terms meet the Institutes' requirements, or that variations are highlighted and appropriately managed in liaison with the Head of Contracts.
Ensuring that institutional risk is identified and appropriately assessed and mitigated within each contract.

65

Liaison and Management
Liaising with the researchers and the Business Development teams to understand the aims of the researchers, ensuring the terms of a contract are appropriate.
Develop and maintain a trusted relationship with researchers, keeping them regularly informed of the status of contract development and appropriately involving them in the process.
Work closely with the other members of the Contracts Team and the Business Development managers, to ensure effective and co-ordinated approaches in support of research and knowledge exchange plans.
Liaise with HR and Finance on Contractual matters using best practice to facilitate efficient contractual management and best use of resources.

20

Policies
Maintain a good understanding of Partnership and Institutes' policies as they relate to research and knowledge exchange.
Implement, develop and maintain an understanding of critical regulatory requirements and / or policy issues.

10

Intellectual Property
Facilitate and liaise with Plant Bioscience Ltd and take account of other third party technology transfer companies (if appropriate) to ensure the interests of the Institutes are protected.
Dealing with ongoing IP protection and IP matters as they arise

5

As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

Bachelors Degree or equivalent in a relevant subject

Essential

Qualification in intellectual property law / processes, or relevant experience

Desirable

Legal qualification

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

A problem solver able to propose solutions

Essential

Able to multi-task and manage diverse workloads and deliver to tight deadlines

Essential

Able to work independently within a broad framework and accept individual responsibility

Essential

Ability to assimilate information from a wide variety of sources

Essential

Competence using a broad range of IT packages, Word, Excel, Email, databases and PowerPoint

Essential

Excellent knowledge and understanding of contractual arrangements

Essential

Knowledge and understanding of research contracting

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Recent, substantial experience of contract law and drafting and reviewing contracts

Essential

Recent, substantial experience of negotiating contracts

Essential

Recent experience of working in a similar role in a university or research organisation

Desirable

Recent experience of Intellectual Property management and protection

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

Essential

Able to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders

Essential

Excellent organisational skills

Essential

Committed and results driven

Essential

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work well as part of a team

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Partnership, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the P\rtnership, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours as required

Essential

Application must include a supporting statement which shows how the applicant meets the person profile criteria

Essential

NBI Partnership

The NBI Partnership provides non-scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, European Union, Charitable and Industrial Sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 Research Staff, Students and Visiting Scientists who are all located in close proximity on the Norwich Research Park.

The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities (No’s 223852, 1058499, 1136213 and 106550) and are Equal Opportunity Employers.

For more information about working at NBI Partnership, please click here.

Department

Research Grants and Contracts

Living in Norfolk

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Contracts Manager

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for a Contracts Manager to join their busy Research Grants and Contracts department.

Background:

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes are a cluster of internationally renowned research organisations, working to tackle major challenges of the 21st Century – the sustainability of our environment, our food supplies and healthy ageing. 

The NBI Partnership provides high quality, non-scientific support services for the diverse community of staff, students and visiting workers at the Institutes (the Earlham Institute, John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory and Quadram Institute Bioscience) and for the NBI Partnership.

Based on the Norwich Research Park amongst 230 hectares of parkland, you will be joining a committed, professional and welcoming team.  In addition, you will enjoy a competitive salary and annual leave, our defined contribution pension scheme, excellent recreational facilities and a range of other employee benefits.

The NBI Partnership Research Grants and Contracts Office is highly respected, dynamic, professional, effective and results driven. It provides expert advice, guidance and management to the John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, The Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory. The office supports scientists in identifying and winning grants from a wide variety of external funding sources including UKRI, the European Union (EU), and industry. In addition, the office negotiates and manages all research related contracts, ensuring freedom to operate, protection of interests, intellectual property and provision of appropriate indemnity.

The role:

Working alongside our current Contract Managers, as well as colleagues across the Partnership and Institutes, you will lead on drafting and negotiating high quality contractual arrangements for sponsored research including, but not limited to, collaboration agreements, commercial contracts, confidentiality agreements, consultancy agreements and material transfer agreements. Working in support of the researchers and driven by business needs, you will provide a professional, effective, timely and responsive contracts service.

The role is important in protecting the Institutes' reputation with third parties and stake holders in how it drafts and negotiates contracts. It is key in managing risk in contracts, ensuring appropriate indemnity and mitigation from litigation. It will ensure scientific freedom to operate for the Norwich Bioscience Institutes researchers whilst ensuring appropriate Intellectual Property provisions including access rights and financial considerations.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in a relevant subject.  You will have significant experience of contract law and drafting and reviewing contracts. You will be able to demonstrate your ability to work independently within a broad framework, manage diverse workloads and successfully deliver to deadlines. We are looking for someone with excellent organisational, communication and negotiating skills, who is committed, and results driven.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £43,550 to £47,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post offered on an indefinite basis.

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

The NBI Partnership is an equal opportunities and disability confident employer. We are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining the best talent, and welcome all applications.

The closing date for applications will be 30 May 2024.