About the Role: As a Contracts Manager, you will change leaders who change the world by providing advice which allows JBSEEL to engage with highly influential global corporate clients and partners. The primary focus of the role is to provide high level advice on the assessment, negotiation, drafting and resolution of complex commercial contracts, and to advise on the contract terms and conditions for agreements between JBSEEL and its global corporate clients and partners. The role holder will ensure the defence and protection of JBSEEL’s interest in terms of risk identification, risk mitigation and management, intellectual property, licensing, valuation of assets, and royalties through robust negotiation techniques. Main Responsibilities: Contracts Drafting, reviewing, negotiating, advising on and managing contracts. A key and vital responsibility is the identification, research and due diligence assessment of proposals of work from organisations; the role holder should undertake due diligence research that facilitates decisions about the agreement for work with organisations which helps the University to mitigate reputational risks and conducts proactive and responsive development research to identify and refine knowledge about potential companies we would work with. To support and implement the vision, strategy and values of JBSEEL through timely effective contract management with clients and corporate partners. Able to remain agile and adapt in a changing business environment and to embrace and effect change, including implementing new processes and procedures to ensure a smoother 'user experience' for the business. Lead on complex commercial contract negotiations in support of new business activity for a variety of contract types including tenders and requests for proposals, services agreements, non-disclosure agreements and memoranda of understanding, for national and international clients. Review, advise and negotiate terms on complex, large scope multi-million-pound deals with global corporate clients. Introduce innovation and efficiencies to accelerate protracted contract negotiations and retain and track oversight of multiple complex contracts. Administer on-going contracts and support new business activity. Provide on-site advice and assistance to the Custom and Open programmes sales teams on contract management and general policy compliance matters. Act as a liaison between the sales teams and the client, preparing and disseminating information regarding contract status, compliance, modifications and contract requirements. Evaluate contract performance to determine necessity for amendments or extensions of contracts and compliance with contractual obligations. Manage contract negotiations and agreement with the client and ensure technical and commercial sign offs are in place prior to delivery. Ensure contract documents are consistent with agreements reached at negotiations. Review and monitor JBSEEL’s contract template suite, creating templates as and when needed. Advice to JBSEEL Leadership Team Knowledgeable in commercial and contract law and able to communicate that information to colleagues in a digestible and accessible way. Horizon scanning to keep the Director of JBSEEL and Leadership Team informed of any new legislation or regulations that potentially affect JBSEEL and our business. Adopting a collaborative and accessible approach to build mutually beneficial relationships, across JBSEEL, and the wider University including with the University’s Legal Services Division. Ensuring that contractual and commercial risk is within JBSEEL’s risk appetite. In conjunction with the Leadership Team, maintaining process for reporting and managing pipeline work. Use of robust negotiation skills and implement systems and measures which defend and protect JBSEEL’s interests in terms of Intellection Property, licensing, valuation of assets, and royalties. Work with the sales team and colleagues to optimise the commercialisation of learning, research, and digital learning projects. Advise and upskill the team in terms and conditions negotiations, legal implications, new areas of regulation which impact on contract terms (e.g. GDPR) and negotiation techniques. Manage the the contracts database and ensure the template contracts are kept up to date. Work with colleagues to resolve any contractual delivery problems as required. Compliance duties Undertake due diligence for all potential client organisations in accordance with the delegations set by the University. Use the recommended tools and means advised by the University to ensure the work is stringent enough to flag, mitigate and manage any potential risk. Ensure clear communication with appropriate colleagues at the University responsible for due diligence as and when required and report all JBSEEL activity in a timely and robust manner. Ensure all aspects of contracts are identified, due diligence thoroughly completed and procedures to deliver are fully in place. Ensure internal departmental procedures for contracts management are adhered to and kept up to date in compliance terms. Work with the JBSEEL finance team to ensure contract integrity and that all reporting procedures are fully complied with. Stakeholder management Work with the central University Legal team to ensure contract compliance with wider University requirements and regulations. Conduct contracts-related induction training for new joiners. Able and willing to take on new challenges, additional responsibilities and changes in role. Ability to manage competing priorities with strong communication and negotiation skills. Additionally Contribute effectively to JBSEEL values and team activities. Participate in and contribute to special projects where relevant. About You: Our ideal candidate should have the following qualities, skills and attributes. We encourage you to apply for this role even if you do not match every attribute listed on the job description. As an education provider, we are keen to support onboarding and learning for those new to our context. Essential Significant experience of initiating, negotiating, drafting, and executing complex, large-scope, multi-million-pound commercial or partnership agreements. Proven ability to safeguard organisational interests within complex or multi-party contract negotiation. Thorough working knowledge of contracting principles, contract law and regulations, including key aspects of English law relating to commercial contracts. Strong intellectual property understanding, with demonstrable experience in protecting organisational IP, drafting licences, and managing valuation and royalty arrangements. Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills, with keen attention to detail and an ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Ability to interpret, explain and advise on contractual matters and legal terms in clear, non-technical language. Analytical and financial acumen, including the ability to assess bids, proposals, and pricing structures to ensure compliance with policy and value for money. Highly organised and self-motivated, capable of working independently and managing multiple priorities. Collaborative approach, able to coordinate information and requirements across legal, financial, and operational teams. Experience of working with international clients or partners, and understanding of global contractual frameworks. The ability to demonstrate JBSEEL’s values of: Embodying world-leading excellence; Having and encouraging a growth mindset; Making others great, always; Being positive and solution-oriented; Being better together. Desirable Experience of working in an executive education, university, higher education or related sector. Experience of introducing innovations and process efficiencies to streamline or accelerate contract negotiations. Familiarity with charities, public sector or grant-funded contract requirements. Formal legal, commercial, or contract management qualifications, experience or training (e.g., CIPS, IACCM/WorldCC, or postgraduate law-related qualification). Understanding of due diligence processes and risk assessment methodologies Other Information: This is a part-time, permanent position. There will be a nine-month probationary period. Salary will be in the range of £45,000-£50,000 per annum, pro-rata. Working hours are 32 hours per week. This is hybrid role, with a current company-wide requirement of a minimum of two working days from our office in Cambridge, however the successful candidate will be expected to attend the office more regularly than this should business demand require. Flexible working patterns and schedules are supported. The deadline for applications is 23:59 on 30 October 2025.