Research Contracts Manager (Business Contracting) (110302-0925)

For informal enquiries, please contact Dan Blakey (Associate Director (Head of Research Strategy, Funding & Contracts) Research & Impact Services) at dan.blakey@warwick.ac.uk

This is an exciting opportunity to join and manage a new team in Research and Impact Services (R&IS). R&IS is a collegiate, vibrant and dynamic department that provides a vital contribution in supporting the University of Warwick’s internationally leading research endeavours. Currently research contracts are managed within R&IS’s Faculty facing teams and following investment from the University we are establishing a specialised contracting team to complement that work. We are seeking a Research Contracts Manager to deliver and lead specialised contracting support to researchers across the University to facilitate Warwick’s ambitions to continue to grow its research partnerships, income and impact.

The Contracts Team will be a key enabler of research contracts actively finding solutions to challenges which arise while complying with Warwick’s, clients’, and any external funder’s requirements and protecting the University’s interests in terms of finance, intellectual property, and other risks. The Team will provide support to researchers through the putting in place of research and research related contracts with a focus on business, other non-academic partners and for strategically significant projects.

In addition, the role holder will manage and deploy a team of four Research Support Coordinators who provide underpinning support across the Research Strategy, Funding and Contracts Team.

The role holder will work closely with other members of the Research Strategy, Funding and Contracts Team within R&IS to ensure a seamless service.  

You are an experienced research support professional with expertise in research contract management processes and negotiations. You will have a comprehensive knowledge of the law and practice of intellectual property management and contracting with the ability to interpret and advise on complex legal requirements, terms and conditions.

You will have experience of running a team and the ability to work well to tight deadlines while meeting the needs of a diverse internal and external client base.  The highly collaborative approach taken across Warwick requires excellent all-round communication, influence and presentation skills.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

The department of Research & Impact Services supports the delivery of internationally leading research & impact at the University of Warwick. This encompasses support for research strategy; research development; research grants & contracts; research ethics & governance; research culture, research impact; trusted research, the Research Excellence Framework (REF); research systems & data; statutory returns; programme management of institutional funds to support research & impact; research income planning,; and responsibility for the co-ordination of institutional programmes & partnerships such as the Interdisciplinary Research Spotlights, The Alan Turing Institute (ATI), City of Culture (CoC), and Eutopia. R&IS also delivers the secretariat function for nine formal University committees.

Candidates are asked to note that, Research & Impact Services has adopted hybrid working and candidates should therefore expect to be located on campus a minimum of three set days a week.

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK. 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.*

Find out more about us on our website.

* QS World University Rankings 2024, Research Excellence Framework 2021

CLOSING DEADLINE: Sunday 12th October 2025 at 23:55 

To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a cover letter.

Your CV should include:

• Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
• Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).
• Please ensure your CV includes name(s), job title, organisation and email contact detail(s) of employee referees to cover the past 3 years, one of your referees should be your current or most recent manager. Your referees will not be contacted without your permission. The appointment of the successful candidate will be subject to references.

Your cover letter should explain:

• Your motivations for applying to the role.
• Using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).

All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview.

You are welcome to include details of any career breaks (e.g. parental leave, caring responsibilities, sick leave).

For guidance on writing a cover letter, see here. 

• Interview Date: To be confirmed 
• Start Date: To be confirmed 

Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.

We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick.

Find out more about our awards and accreditations.

We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.

• Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
• The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
• All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.

Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.