Commercial Contracts Manager: Newcastle University
We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.
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Salary: £42,149.00 – £56,587.00 per annum
Closing Date: 20 March 2022
The Role
We are recruiting a Commercial Contracts Manager for our in-house Legal Team. The Commercial Contracts Manager will support senior members of the team, in the provision of pragmatic and commercially focused advice to the University and its subsidiaries on a variety of commercial matters that relate to the business sector and services.
You will be required to review, draft and negotiate commercial and other agreements and other documentation and this may require you to undertake research into a variety of issues and to report on and implement the outcomes.
The role will suit individuals used to working in a busy and varied role, both independently and as part of a team, and requires a high degree of self-motivation, initiative and the ability to demonstrate professional resilience.
You will be of graduate calibre with significant experience in contract negotiation and management or related activity (preferably in the education sector), an up-to-date and comprehensive understanding of contract law, and excellent communication and negotiation skills.
For further information regarding this role, please contact legal.services@newcastle.ac.uk, marking your email for the attention of Andrea Wright-Watkinson, Director of Legal Services.
Key Accountabilities
- Provide efficient and pragmatic contracting and commercial advice and guidance on a wide range of legal, commercial, contracting and transactional issues.
- Draft, review and negotiate various commercial agreements which maximise revenue potential while minimising legal and commercial risk, signing in line with University delegated authority procedures.
- Monitor commercial contracting policies and procedures across the University.
- Manage, assess and mitigate legal/contractual risk.
- Promote legal, compliance and risk management best practice throughout the institution.
- Support the development and implementation of strategic/major projects, including advising on contracts strategy and risk and most beneficial and commercially astute deal structure.
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
- Up to date and comprehensive understanding of contract law.
- Proven skills in project management and portfolio management, preferably in a business support environment.
- Substantial experience of assessing commercial risk associated with commercial contracts.
- Experience in drafting and negotiating complex contractual documents.
- Forward thinker, able to identify the impact of present decisions on future options and outcomes, and identify strategically optimal actions taking into account commercial and legal risk to protect or maximise the University’s commercial or reputational position.
- Robust, commercially astute negotiator, able to advance the University’s commercial legal position whilst maintaining excellent professional relationships with external partners.
- Exceptional customer focus and experience of delivering effective customer led and centric solutions for a large complex organisation.
- Ability to communicate and influence effectively, at all levels, to build robust and productive working relationships with academics and professional services staff and demonstrate a high level of personal credibility at all levels within the University.
Desirable
- Excellent organisational, presentation and training skills.
- Experience of the educational sector.
Attributes and Behaviour
- High drive and initiative, able to demonstrate professional resilience.
- Strong communicator and robust negotiator, with meticulous attention to detail.
- Self-confident with excellent interpersonal skills, able to communicate effectively at all levels both internally and externally.
- Strong track record and desire in working collaboratively with colleagues, at all level across the organisation.
- Ability to influence and persuade to gain support.
- Creative, solution oriented approach to issue resolution.
Qualifications
- Honours degree (or equivalent) or substantial experience in a similar role.
Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive Global University which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices.
The University holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. The University also holds the HR Excellence in Research award for our work to support the career development of our researchers, and is a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 16361