Research Contracts Manager - Research Support Services

Position Details

Research Support Services

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £31,406 to £40,927, with potential progression once in post to £43,434.

Grade 7

Full Time - Permanent

Closing date: 16th June 2022

The University of Birmingham is one of the most ambitious institutions in the UK and we are determined to be placed in the global top 50, with investment and strategic plans in place to enable us to achieve our objectives.

Characterised by a tradition of innovation for over a century, research at the University has broken new ground, pushed forward the boundaries of knowledge and made an impact on people's lives across the globe. We continue this tradition today and have ambitions for a future that will embed our work and recognition of the Birmingham name on the international stage.

Our existing research and knowledge transfer partnerships have had a real impact on our University and on society. They have allowed us to support and further our research enabling our academics to make crucial breakthroughs. The number and value of these partnerships are increasing rapidly in line with our plans to grow this key area of institutional activity.

Given our success, and to support our growth plans, we are expanding our Research Contracts team and are looking to recruit experienced contracting professionals to be part of the growing Research Support team at the University.

This is a great opportunity to join a friendly and successful team at an internationally renowned institution.

The University works with a wide range of funders and collaborators, including Research Councils; government departments; businesses; NGOs; charities; international agencies; and other higher education institutions. The Contracts team is responsible for ensuring adherence to our policies and standards, including areas such as Intellectual Property, data protection and medical regulation.

We are looking for enthusiastic, dedicated professionals to work closely with our academics and other professional services teams to develop high quality contractual arrangements, protecting the Institution's interests as a charitable organisation, to facilitate world class research at Birmingham. You will be responsible for drafting, negotiating, and advising on a wide range of research contracts including collaboration agreements, MTA's, studentships, clinical trials, and associated documents.

With excellent verbal and written communication skills, you will have the natural authority to influence and drive contracts through to timely completion. You will be able to work independently and demonstrate your skills and experience in drafting, negotiating, and concluding a wide range and high volume of research contracts.

If you are looking for your next career move, and want to work with a dynamic and growing research community, please do get in touch.

Benefits of working for us

Based on our vibrant campus, working at the University of Birmingham brings many benefits, from generous holiday leave, to reward and recognition. This is an exciting time for the City and region as we prepare to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games - of which we are headline sponsors. The Games offer a host of unique opportunities for staff and students to engage - from volunteering opportunities to watch the hockey and squash, which we will be hosting in our facilities.

Holidays and flexible working

Holiday entitlement for support, administrative and other related staff is a generous 40 days off a year, made up of 25 days annual holiday, seven closed days, and eight bank holidays. For part-time staff, holidays are calculated pro rata.

The University supports hybrid working where it is feasible, appropriate, following an assessment of the suitability of the role in question, and subject to the individual expressing a desire to work in a hybrid manner. There is an expectation that no-one should spend 100% of their time working away from their work location unless government legislation dictates it.

The University also offers a range of benefits to help you achieve a better balance between your family and work responsibilities. We run a flexible working scheme with options including part-time work, job sharing, term-time only working, flexitime and compressed hours. We provide discounts on childcare and have three day nurseries. We also offer maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption leave, as well as 13 weeks parental leave for those with children under five.

Training and development

Our staff can benefit from a range of personal and professional development and IT courses. We also have a mentoring and coaching scheme, offer leadership training programmes for managers, and run courses for staff involved in teaching students.

Employee schemes and discounts

• Medical: if you join us, you'll have the opportunity to join private medical and dental schemes such as the Unum Dental Plan, the Universities and Colleges Personal Healthcare Scheme and the BHSF health cash plan, at preferential rates. If you work at a computer, you may also be entitled to a free eye test and help towards the cost of glasses.
• Retail: our staff can benefit from a number of offers and discounts on purchases including Costco membership, Forest Holidays and bicycle equipment.
• Travel: as part of our sustainable action plan, we offer a range of travel discounts and actively encourage the use of public transport. If you use public transport to travel to work, the University will buy a National Express West Midlands or Centro annual season ticket on your behalf, and recover the cost through deductions in your pay, from which you can make a considerable saving. The University is also keen to encourage people to cycle to work, and we offer a range of benefits and special offers for cyclists through our partnership with Cyclescheme.

Access to our cultural collections, museums, and attractions

Our beautiful campus is home to a range of historical, scientific, and cultural assets - most of which are free to access for our staff:

• The Lapworth Museum of Geology
• The Barber Institute of Fine Arts
• Winterbourne House and Garden
• The Bramall Music Building and Elgar Concert Theatre
• University library and cultural collections

University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness

Staff can access the recently opened £55 million University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness club at discounted rates. The club provides world-class opportunities for everyone in the region and offers an unrivalled fitness experience. The facility includes Birmingham's first 50m swimming pool, a large multi-sports arena, six glass-backed squash courts, a 200-station gym, a 10m climbing wall, a Performance Centre and five activity studios, where over 150 classes a week are held.

Advice and support services

We want to support our staff, so they are happy and healthy. Our Employee Advice and Support Services team offers a range of confidential services including an advice and listening service, disability and additional needs service, harassment advisers and mediation. We are also the only university with Citizens Advice onsite.

Our commitment to equality

We are committed to delivering a fairer University for all, where everyone feels welcome, where we engage with and learn from our diverse community, and where we challenge ourselves - as an institution and as individuals - to do better.

We are proud holders of the Advance HE Race Equality Charter and Athena Swan Charter. We are actively working to increase our proportion of senior female academics and the number of people from minority ethnic groups we employ. We are also members of Stonewall Global Champions.

There are several active staff networks:

• Parents and carers network
• Rainbow network
• Women's network
• Race equality network
• Enabling staff network

Further JD information can be found here: Research Contracts Manager JD

Informal enquires to Anisha Kaur, email: a.kaur.2@bham.ac.uk