Interim Contracts Manager

Interim Contracts Manager 

Closing date and time:

• 15th April 2021 at 23:59

This role may close early subject to finding the right candidate. 

Reports to: Head of Legal (Corporate and Commercial) 

Contract term:

• This is a full-time, fixed term (4 months) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

SUMMARY

This is a unique opportunity to join the Crick Legal, Governance and Compliance team on a short-term contract. It is a busy role in a friendly team where collegiality, professionalism and attention to detail are key. You will provide high quality contract management support working collaboratively with other Crick teams and external parties as necessary.  You will primarily support research contracts but also have a chance to work on operational contracts and to help establish best practice and new ways of working within the team.

Person specification

It is important that you embody and demonstrate our core values: Bold, imaginative, open, dynamic and collegial.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Client care & advice: Take instructions, manage expectations and keep internal clients briefed on progress.  Advise science and non-science staff on commercial/contract law.  Identify risk within the Crick’s risk appetite, balance competing interests (such as protecting academic freedom to operate) and protect opportunities for translation of our discoveries and knowledge transfer. Maintain excellent relationships. 
• Contracts Management: Prepare, review, draft and negotiate contracts using templates - complying with internal policies, governance, best practice and applicable legislation. Prepare contract reports and briefing documents and facilitate signature. You will take the lead, with supervision as you need, or work alongside a member of the team.  

• Legal Operations: Keep matter files organised and up-to-date using e-signature and knowledge management platforms and on-line workspaces. Help develop and maintain templates, contracting processes and other new ways of working.
• Research & Governance: Undertake research, help develop and organise knowhow.

Types of contracts:

• Research contracts: materials transfer agreements (in/out); non-disclosure agreements; data sharing agreements; other research-related contracts (with higher education institutes, public bodies/not-for-profit institutions and industry); grant applications and award agreements; consultancy agreements held mainly by scientists with industry; studentship agreements; IP ownership and renewal and variations.

• Operational contracts: a variety of service agreements and purchasing contracts, including purchasing consortia frameworks, standard on-line terms, renewals and variations.

Knowledge and experience:

• Graduate (or equivalent).  Degree preferably in life sciences.
• Solid experience of providing effective contract management support in a busy department - reviewing, drafting and negotiating a high volume of contracts.
• Sound knowledge of law and legal system.  Confident research skills. 
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills, able to prioritise competing demands and tight deadlines. Experience of handling a varied workload and prioritising tasks. Methodical approach to work and excellent attention to detail.
• A self-starter who is able to work with some supervision. Confident to take on unfamiliar tasks and to learn on the job. Shows problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Confident use of technology (eg Microsoft, document management and e-signature platforms, Dropbox, Sophia, Slack, ServiceNow & Trello etc).
• Excellent interpersonal skills (eg tact, integrity, confidentiality, patience) and able to get on well with all levels of staff.
• Communicates effectively with a concise, compelling writing style and strong written accuracy. Able to present complex information in clear and simple communications to all levels of the organisation. Good legal drafting skills.
• A team player who is flexible, motivated and resilient and works effectively in a collegiate environment. Acts authentically and consistently.

Desirable:

• Experience of working in a legal or company secretarial department, ideally in a charity or academic environment.
• Experience of alternative contract processing delivery models.
• Understanding of research management and governance. Familiarity with compliance requirements relevant to biological research.
• Working knowledge of key topics such as data privacy, IP, publication, confidentiality, indemnities and liabilities.
• Demonstrable interest in the importance of the Crick’s mission.

Working relationships:

• Science teams - Group Leaders, Scientists, STP leads, Translation, Grants, Biological Research Facility and research administration staff.
• Operations teams – Grants, Finance, Sourcing, IT&S, Building Services, Public Engagement, Human Resources.
• A wide range of academic and commercial organisations, funding bodies and sponsors.