Contracts Officer
| Posting date: | 09 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £36,636 to £39,906 per year, pro rata |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 28 September 2025 |
| Location: | Headington, Oxford |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 4 days per week |
| Company: | Oxford Brookes University |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 183505 |
Summary
Oxford Brookes University is distinctive in nature. We are a modern and forward-thinking institution rooted in, and connected to a city with a rich history of culture and learning. We are a globally recognised University focused on providing high-quality teaching, delivering impactful research and an excellent student experience. Our vision is simple: “shape tomorrow through our unique blend of the modern and the traditional, by embracing diversity, seeking out the new and excelling in education and research.”
Our people are at the heart of the University - our excellence in teaching, research and knowledge exchange depends on the engagement, capability and wellbeing of our people. We strive to create and encourage an environment where people have the opportunity to develop, progress and thrive.
In acknowledgment of our commitment to gender equality and progression, we proudly hold the Athena SWAN Bronze award, a testament to our unwavering dedication to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all. Join us at Oxford Brookes University, where every step forward is a leap toward a brighter tomorrow.
The role
The Directorate of Research, Innovation and Enterprise is recruiting for a Contracts Officer to join the Post Award team. Working within the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Enterprise, based at our Headington campus and reporting to the Contracts Manager and Post-Award Team Lead, the Contracts Officer will be responsible for drafting, reviewing and negotiating research and consultancy agreements as well as other contracts. The Contracts Officer will be working closely with the Contracts Manager and Post-Award Team Lead.
This is a full-time post, but a fractional post of 0.6fte or above will be considered.
About the team
The role is part of the Post-Award Team which is responsible for a portfolio of research, consultancy and knowledge exchange projects. The Team is responsible for post-award processes including: drafting up, reviewing and negotiating awards and contracts, processing contracts and post-award financial processes. The Team liaises with key academics, finance and research managers as well as key internal and external stakeholders, universities and other research and sponsoring organisations abroad, nationally and locally.
What will I be doing?
- Preparing and negotiating terms and conditions of contracts within an agreed remit
Coordinating and project managing cases to achieve their timely and successful completion
- Ensuring research and related agreements are in compliance with the University’s financial and other regulations and have been appropriately authorised
- Liaising with and advising colleagues on the negotiation of the terms of sponsored research, including intellectual property rights, use of research results and contractual obligations
- Maintaining case information in the relevant University systems.
What skills do I need?
- Good communication and organization skills
- To be able to multi-task and prioritise work accordingly
- Experience of working in an administration department would be advantageous, but not essential
- To have a degree or equivalent (a Law Degree or Law qualification (certificate in law) is essential or relevant experience.
About the location
Based at our Headington campus, you’ll experience the vibrant campus atmosphere and benefit from our modern office environment. The campus is one mile from the centre of Oxford and is served by regular public transport. This role will be hybrid and is likely to require 1 day on campus per week.
Benefits
As an Oxford Brookes employee, you will enjoy a total of a minimum of 25 days holiday, rising with your service, plus 8 Bank Holidays and additional University concessionary Days (approx. 5 per year).
We encourage and support hybrid working where the role allows and ensure that you have the necessary equipment to allow you to work flexibly.
We have an extremely competitive Local Government Pension Scheme with a 19.2% Employer contribution rate, as well as providing all staff with financial education, a comprehensive employee assistance helpline.
We prioritise the well-being of our employees—both physically and mentally, as well as financially. That's why we provide a diverse and comprehensive benefits package to support our team.
In addition, all employees have access to:
- Discounted rates for the University sports & gym facilities
- Brookes on-site Nursery.
- Discounted travel options
- TOTUM card discount scheme
- Relocation scheme (for moves over 30 miles)
- Training and development opportunities
- Connected community - Brookes have a wide variety of staff networks which instil a sense of community offering employees a space for support, guidance and friendship making it a vibrant and inclusive place to work.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
At Oxford Brookes, inclusivity is one of our five guiding principles: we take positive steps to create an environment in which we celebrate, value and provide equal opportunity to all. We are committed to recruiting from the widest possible pool and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who embrace our values, regardless of their background.
As a Disability Confident Employer we guarantee to interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential selection criteria.
Our people are at the heart of the University - our excellence in teaching, research and knowledge exchange depends on the engagement, capability and wellbeing of our people. We strive to create and encourage an environment where people have the opportunity to develop, progress and thrive.
In acknowledgment of our commitment to gender equality and progression, we proudly hold the Athena SWAN Bronze award, a testament to our unwavering dedication to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all. Join us at Oxford Brookes University, where every step forward is a leap toward a brighter tomorrow.
The role
The Directorate of Research, Innovation and Enterprise is recruiting for a Contracts Officer to join the Post Award team. Working within the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Enterprise, based at our Headington campus and reporting to the Contracts Manager and Post-Award Team Lead, the Contracts Officer will be responsible for drafting, reviewing and negotiating research and consultancy agreements as well as other contracts. The Contracts Officer will be working closely with the Contracts Manager and Post-Award Team Lead.
This is a full-time post, but a fractional post of 0.6fte or above will be considered.
About the team
The role is part of the Post-Award Team which is responsible for a portfolio of research, consultancy and knowledge exchange projects. The Team is responsible for post-award processes including: drafting up, reviewing and negotiating awards and contracts, processing contracts and post-award financial processes. The Team liaises with key academics, finance and research managers as well as key internal and external stakeholders, universities and other research and sponsoring organisations abroad, nationally and locally.
What will I be doing?
- Preparing and negotiating terms and conditions of contracts within an agreed remit
Coordinating and project managing cases to achieve their timely and successful completion
- Ensuring research and related agreements are in compliance with the University’s financial and other regulations and have been appropriately authorised
- Liaising with and advising colleagues on the negotiation of the terms of sponsored research, including intellectual property rights, use of research results and contractual obligations
- Maintaining case information in the relevant University systems.
What skills do I need?
- Good communication and organization skills
- To be able to multi-task and prioritise work accordingly
- Experience of working in an administration department would be advantageous, but not essential
- To have a degree or equivalent (a Law Degree or Law qualification (certificate in law) is essential or relevant experience.
About the location
Based at our Headington campus, you’ll experience the vibrant campus atmosphere and benefit from our modern office environment. The campus is one mile from the centre of Oxford and is served by regular public transport. This role will be hybrid and is likely to require 1 day on campus per week.
Benefits
As an Oxford Brookes employee, you will enjoy a total of a minimum of 25 days holiday, rising with your service, plus 8 Bank Holidays and additional University concessionary Days (approx. 5 per year).
We encourage and support hybrid working where the role allows and ensure that you have the necessary equipment to allow you to work flexibly.
We have an extremely competitive Local Government Pension Scheme with a 19.2% Employer contribution rate, as well as providing all staff with financial education, a comprehensive employee assistance helpline.
We prioritise the well-being of our employees—both physically and mentally, as well as financially. That's why we provide a diverse and comprehensive benefits package to support our team.
In addition, all employees have access to:
- Discounted rates for the University sports & gym facilities
- Brookes on-site Nursery.
- Discounted travel options
- TOTUM card discount scheme
- Relocation scheme (for moves over 30 miles)
- Training and development opportunities
- Connected community - Brookes have a wide variety of staff networks which instil a sense of community offering employees a space for support, guidance and friendship making it a vibrant and inclusive place to work.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
At Oxford Brookes, inclusivity is one of our five guiding principles: we take positive steps to create an environment in which we celebrate, value and provide equal opportunity to all. We are committed to recruiting from the widest possible pool and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who embrace our values, regardless of their background.
As a Disability Confident Employer we guarantee to interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential selection criteria.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.