Contracts Officer (Maternity leave)

This post is fixed term until mid-May 2026 due to maternity leave. The individual will need to have relevant experience of working in a similar environment and be able to meet the following key criteria:

1. Law degree qualification or other relevant legal qualification e.g. CPE, SQE, LPC, CILEX, BVC, GDL or equivalent.
2. A comprehensive understanding of the principles of contract law and key contract terms and principles (e.g. performance, confidentiality, warranties, liability and indemnity, governing law and jurisdiction) with evidence shown.
3. Relevant experience of advising internal and external clients on commercial contract and/or intellectual property matters and ability to demonstrate and clearly convey professional knowledge within the specialist discipline.
4. Evidenced ability to competently and independently draft, negotiate and advise on a range of contracts including templates and precedents and more complex bespoke agreements.
5. Excellent organisational skills to manage heavy and varied workload with proven ability to self-manage, independently prioritise and meet deadlines.
6. Excellent IT skills including Microsoft packages and Adobe and aptitude for use of differing software.
7. Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills with strength in communicating detailed and complex information clearly, concisely and in a professional manner to a wide range of people including non-legal experts.
8. Proven ability to explore and assess client needs and to respond appropriately and helpfully to support efficient and effective service delivery.
9. Evidence of ability to solve expansive problems using initiative and creativity to identify and propose practical and appropriate solutions.
10. Enthusiasm for continuous professional development and self-directed learning and evidenced ability to translate theoretical knowledge into day to day working practice.

The Contracts Officer will work closely with colleagues in the Research Commercialisation team to support the drafting, review, negotiation and completion of a range of research related contracts. The role will involve identifying, assessing and resolving contractual issues pertinent to the conduct of research and highlighting areas of risk to senior management and stakeholders. Key duties include:

– To review, draft, negotiate and complete research and research related contracts with a wide range of external organisations; ensuring that the interests of the University and its researchers are protected by agreeing terms which further the University’s research, charitable and academic interests and meet its legal and regulatory responsibilities (both internal and external).
– Provide professional advice and guidance on the contracts required to enable the performance of Cardiff University research and on the content, implementation and execution of those contracts.
– Competently review, analyse and risk assess new contract requests to identify the action required and to enable effective progression. This may include appropriate selection and use of template agreements or escalation to more senior colleagues or other professional services experts for assistance with more complex matters.

(see job description in the job advert for full list of duties)

Cardiff is an ambitious and innovative university located in a beautiful and thriving capital city. Our world-leading research was ranked 5th for quality amongst UK universities in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework and we provide an educationally outstanding experience for our 30,000 students. With an annual budget in excess of £500 million and around 6,000 staff, Cardiff is a member of the Russell Group of the 24 leading UK research-intensive universities. The University has 24 academic schools grouped into three colleges: Biomedical & Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering and Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences.

Cardiff University’s ambition is to rank consistently among the top 100 universities in the world. Cardiff is also developing its Innovation System through a focused programme of investment in people and infrastructure. Research funding secured from competitive, external sources exceeds £100 million annually and the University aims to grow this further through winning grants from a wide range of national and global sources.

The Research Service supports the University’s research community in initiating and delivering research and innovation activities. Led by the Director, Vanessa Cuthill, we provides services via over 100 expert staff organised in five specialist teams: Research Grants Office; Research Integrity, Governance and Ethics; Research Development; Research Commercialisation and Impact; Research Strategy and Operations and Business Engagement and Partnerships. The Department works closely with academic and professional services staff from all areas of the institution.