Contracts Officer

Location: Singleton Campus, Swansea

About The Role

Are you an experienced professional in contract negotiation and legal agreements, with a passion for supporting impactful research? Join Swansea University's Research, Engagement, and Innovation Services (REIS) as a Contracts Officer, where you will play a critical role in enabling groundbreaking research collaborations.

As part of REIS, one of the University’s key professional service units, you will support Swansea University’s mission to deliver cultural, social, and economic impact. Reporting to the Contracts Manager, you will provide expert legal advice and support to Faculty researchers, professional service teams, and external collaborators.

Key Responsibilities

• Negotiating, reviewing, and drafting a variety of research-related contracts, required throughout the life of research project; including funding agreements, collaboration agreements, studentship agreements, non-disclosure agreements and more.
• Ensuring contracts meet the University's standards, covering risk management, intellectual property, confidentiality, and compliance with applicable legislation.
• Providing pragmatic and tailored advice to achieve optimal outcomes while fostering collaboration with stakeholders across the academic, public and private sectors.

Requirements
To excel in this role, you will need:

• A legal qualification regulated by the SRA.
• Comprehensive knowledge of contracts, particularly intellectual property, publication rights, indemnities, and liabilities.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills with a proven ability to achieve optimal outcomes in complex contractual discussions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to convey complex information clearly and effectively.
• A proactive and collaborative approach to managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

If you are passionate about enabling innovative research and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, we encourage you to apply.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

As an inclusive and welcoming workplace, we value people for their skills regardless of their background. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English.

Welsh Language Skills

The Welsh language level required for this role is Level 1 - A little. The role holder will be able to pronounce Welsh words, answer the phone in Welsh (good morning/afternoon) and use very basic everyday words and phrases (thank you, please etc.). Level 1 can be reached by completing a 1 hour course.

The University is a proud bilingual institution, our Welsh Language Strategy outlines our aspiration to promote the language and enable our staff to engage with the language as an additional workplace skill and as a gateway to new cultural and social opportunities. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English. Welsh speakers have the right to an interview in Welsh. Applicants for a role where Welsh skills are essential are expected to present their application in Welsh and will be interviewed in Welsh, if shortlisted.

Additional Information

Applications for this role will take the format of a CV submission and cover letter.

Please refer to https://staff.swansea.ac.uk/reis/ for information on the department of Research, Engagement and Innovation Services (REIS).

Closing Date: 23 April 2025

Interview Date: 1 May 2025

Informal Enquiries: Elizabeth Jones e.s.jones@swansea.ac.uk

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