Job Description

Job Title:

Contracts Officer

Posting Start Date:

08/09/2025

Job Id:

1240

School/Department:

Research Partnerships & Innovation

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type:

Permanent

Salary per annum ():

31,637 - 36,130 per annum (pro-rata), with potential to progress to 39,355

Closing Date:

06/10/2025
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.



We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview

Are you looking for an opportunity to play a key role in negotiating contracts in a world-class university setting? We're seeking someone, with some legal experience, to join our supportive team. This is an ideal role for someone who is pragmatic, collaborative, and detail-focused, with excellent communication skills and a strong grasp of risk management.


You'll draft and review a diverse portfolio of contracts across a range of research and innovation projects with commercial, charity and government partners. We provide ongoing training and professional development and actively promote an inclusive and supportive working culture.

Main duties and responsibilities

Draft, review and negotiate contracts (e.g. collaboration, funding, data/material transfer, IP licenses, consultancy). Offer guidance and recommendations to researchers on risk, IP protection and contractual obligations. Serve as a key contact for a faculty or schools and external parties. Collaborate with research support and professional service teams, both internally and externally, to streamline agreements and promote good practice. Stay up to date with relevant legal knowledge and contribute to the development of effective team processes. Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential/Desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Experience drafting and negotiating legal agreements


Essential


Application/interview


Ability to communicate complex legal issues in plain English


Essential


Application/interview


Collaborative, people-focused approach to service delivery


Essential


Application/interview


Ability to balance risks and requirements with sound judgement


Essential


Application/interview


Experience of managing workloads and shifting priorities


Essential


Application/interview


Supportive and collegial team-working style


Essential


Application/interview


Good working knowledge of IT systems (e.g. Google Drive, MS Office)


Essential


Application


Experience in knowledge transfer or research agreements


Desirable


Application/interview


Assertiveness and pragmatic decision-making skills


Desirable


Application/interview

Further Information

Grade

6

Salary

31,637 - 36,130 per annum (pro-rata), with potential to progress to 39,355 through outstanding contribution

Work arrangement

Full-time / hybrid

Line manager

Contracts Manager

Direct reports

N/A


For informal enquiries about this job contact

Verity Clarke, Contracts Team Manager (v.e.clarke@sheffield.ac.uk)

0114 222 1439

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 16 July 2025. This will consist of interview and assessment task. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 21 July 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Tom Bland (t.bland@sheffield.ac.uk)

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().

What we offer

A minimum of 38days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more. Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles. Generous pension scheme. A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel. A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks). Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role. A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework A range of generous family-friendly policies + paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
+ support for those going through the menopause
+ paid time off and support for fertility treatment
+ and more





We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record

A BPSS check will be needed for this role, which includes a DBS check

. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/BPSS (opens in a new window).



Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).
Closing Date : 06/10/2025





We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.