Job Description

The role

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The Commercial Research Manager (Pre-Contract) role is dedicated to ensuring that the University's industry-funded research projects deliver valuable benefits for the University, our staff, students, partners, and the broader world we serve.



We have established processes to support efficient proposal development, commercial deal negotiation and contract set-up, and are further developing these to help us to rapidly grow our portfolio of exciting projects. Our latest collaborations span sectors including energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, space, veterinary technologies, and education.



You will focus on the first of the three phases of good contracting practice, "Pre-Contract Negotiation" (the others being Contract Development & Execution, and Post Contract Compliance & Governance), and will lay the foundations for a smooth and efficient contract journey.



Part of a diverse group of Professional Services staff with commercial expertise, you will be responsible for working with academic colleagues to develop deliverable proposals and negotiate sound commercial deals. Proposals will include work package, price, and headline terms and conditions, and be supported by a valid internal justification reflecting the shape of the deal.



Working with academic research teams, financial and legal experts, and others, you will be responsible for driving forward each proposed project, from outline plan to proposal, and negotiating an "agreed" position to be captured in a formal contract by our legal specialists.

What will you be doing?

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Potential industry-funded research opportunities will arrive from across the institution, and you will be responsible for determining the best approach in each case. In addition, you will:


Use University standard and preferred positions for reference, to negotiate beneficial deals, before passing to legal specialists in our Research Contracts Team who will prepare and sign off formal legal contracts. Deals will include price, deliverables and outline terms and conditions e.g. intellectual property arrangements and liability. Work closely with our Research Contracts Team to agree key principles and ensure they have the background information they need to fulfil their role. Be the key point of contact for academics planning to do industry-funded research; liaise and negotiate with partners at all levels of seniority; broker areas of mutual interest; champion opportunities - internally and externally; identify and co-develop new opportunities. Work across different internal areas, often with competing priorities, helping colleagues to work together transparently, as "One Team" to achieve the best "overall" outcomes for UoB and our partners. Work with colleagues to continually improve and develop processes and supporting systems, so our academic staff feel prepared, comfortable, and confident when navigating their commercial research journey, and our partners find the University easy to work with.

You should apply if

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Previous experience in relevant business-related roles, demonstrating good business acumen, a commercial mindset, and a passion for customer service.


A good appreciation of strategy, processes, and issues for business engagement in the Higher Education sector. A good understanding and appreciation of both industrial and academic cultures, environments, and research priorities. Experience in the specification, costing and pricing of research projects. An understanding of key terms and conditions applicable to research activity. Experience in the negotiation of commercial research deals, balancing cost and risk with reward and opportunity. Knowledge and experience of developing new/improved processes and supporting systems.

These are our ideal requirements, but we know some people are less likely to apply for the role unless they are 100% qualified. The University promotes a supportive and empowering culture, please apply if you meet the majority of these competencies.

Additional information

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Contract type:

Open ended

Work pattern:

Full time

Grade:

K

Salary:

50,253 - 58,225 per annum

School/Unit:

Division of Research, Enterprise and Innovation

This advert will close

at

23:59 UK time

on Thursday 13th November.

For informal queries about the role, please contact Christine Nileshwar, Head of Commercial Research (Pre-Contract), on

christine.nileshwar@bristol.ac.uk

.

Our strategy and mission

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We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an

inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential.

We want

to attract, develop, and retain individuals

with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives - particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.


JOB NUMBER

SUPP112898

CONTRACT TYPE/WORK PATTERN

Open ended / Full time

POSTING END DATE

13 Nov 2025

FACULTY/DIVISION

Research and Enterprise

SALARY

50,253 - 58,225 per annum