Recruitment Role Profile Form

Version 2.0 Last amended: August 2012

UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM RECRUITMENT ROLE PROFILE FORM

Job Title: Research Contracts Officer

School/Department: Research & Graduate Services

Salary: £ 37,394 - £ 45,954 per annum, depending on skills and experience. Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance.

Job Family and Level: Administrative, Professional and Managerial Level 5

Contract Status: Permanent

Hours of Work: Full Time (36.25hrs)

Location: Kings Meadow Campus, Lenton Lane, Nottingham

Reporting to: Head of Research Contracts

The Purpose of the Role: The purpose of the role is to draft and negotiate contracts that facilitate research delivery within the University. Main Responsibilities: Main Responsibilities % time per year

1. Drafting and negotiation of complex industrial research and collaboration 60% agreements fully reflecting the requirements of the University in relation to, amongst others, ownership and exploitation of intellectual property, publication with the communication thereof, confidentiality and indirect cost recovery. Such Agreements may include Confidentiality Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, Services Rendered, Industrial Studentships, LINK Collaboration Agreements, Confidentiality Agreements, Clinical Trials Agreements, Collaboration Agreements and Contract Research Agreements. The aim of such negotiations should be an agreed account of the conditions under which research will be undertaken giving a fair and reasonable position for the university and sponsor in light of the individual research project circumstances.

2. Manage own time and priorities workload in a complex multitask, high throughput 10% environment frequently handling conflicting aspirations and wishes of the parties involved whilst responding sensitively to the requirements of the university, academic community and sponsors to support the achievement of RGS objectives in service delivery.

3. Liaise with our customers (both internal and external) on a diverse range of 8% research business and University administration matters not strictly limited to pre- award contracts (e.g. project lifetime matters) ensuring compliance with University Policy.

4. Provide support and direction to Assistant Research Contracts Officers and 5% Version 2.0 Last amended: August 2012

Research Contracts Administrator as required.

5. Develop and maintain standard agreements, working procedures and other 5% documentation as appropriate to improve the efficiency of contract negotiation.

6. Maximise indirect cost recovery and enhance industrial research income through 2% market based pricing of research contracts.

7. Contribute to the Research and Graduate Services reputation for professionalism 2% and customer focus, both with academics and industrial sponsors.

8. Contribute towards the development and implementation of effective procedures 2% and systems relating to the industrial research contracting activity between the University and external sponsors.

9. Manage and maintain records for tracking industrial projects on a computerised 2% database (and in hard copy) providing management information ensuring a clear audit trail for research contracts.

10. Perform certain activities normally undertaken by the Head of Research Contracts 1% during his absence, including representing the department at meetings.

11. Detailed knowledge of current VAT legislation in the context of research in order to 1% proactively ensure complex VAT liabilities within research projects do not expose the university to retrospective VAT liability.

12. Represent and promote the operations section and provide specialist advice at 1% both internal and external meetings relating to industrial research.

13. Any other duties appropriate to the grade and role 1%

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

Essential Desirable Qualifications/  Degree in law (or equivalent) along  Professional legal qualification Education with considerable experience in a with current practising similar contracts role. certificate

Skills/Training  Good-level of self-organisational  Authoritative knowledge of the management. work practices, processes and  Planning and co-ordination with the procedures relevant to the role, ability to work under pressure and including broader commercial to tight deadlines. awareness relating to research  Detailed knowledge of contract law. contracting generally.  Strong communication, drafting and  Knowledge of the work of others negotiation skills. inside and outside the  Ability to provide advice and University relevant to the guidance on complex contractual University’s research issues. contracting activities.

Experience  Proven analytical and problem  Direct experience of a research- solving capability. related environment. Version 2.0 Last amended: August 2012

 Negotiation with internal and  The ability to learn by external customers (i.e. senior experience, accumulating a academics/Company Directors) wide range of relevant  Experience of liaising with and knowledge with the ability to influencing key internal apply such knowledge to arising stakeholders and senior challenges. management representatives.  Project management experience  Management experience  Legal experience obtained in private practice or in-house environment

Statutory/Legal  Detailed knowledge of commercial  Detailed knowledge of charity and contract law law, tax law and public  Awareness of ongoing procurement regulations developments in legal field affecting higher education institutions  Detailed knowledge of developments affecting the higher education sector

Decision Making i) Taken independently by the role holder; 1. Advising academics of the type of contract appropriate for the work to be undertaken. 2. Drafting, review and amendment of contract clauses reflecting the needs of all the parties whilst maintaining adherence to University Policy. 3. Support and supervision of junior members of staff ii) Taken in collaboration with others; 1. Development and implementation of processes and systems to aid contract administration. iii) Referred to the appropriate line manager by the role holder; (Head of Research Contract) 1. Approval for proposed changes in processes, procedures or terminology to take account of changes in the external business environment or to address identified risk management issues. 2. Complex legal contractual issues requiring external legal advice Additional Information 1. Management of the day to day matters relating to the contracting activity of the University and external sponsors in line with University policy during the absence of the Head of Research Contracts. 2. Working pro-actively with academics to facilitate both efficient and effective contracting process from initiation to completion of the project. 3. The building and maintenance of effective working relationships with sponsors greatly enhancing subsequent negotiations adding further value to the contract process.