Contracts Officer - Commercial Education and Research

This new part-time (0.9 FTE) post is available from 1 February 2026 on a fixed term basis to cover a maternity leave until 1 February 2027.

This position could be an opportunity for an internal secondment, with approval from your current line manager.

This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working – some time on campus and some from home.

We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours.

Summary of the role

This is a role within the Legal Team at the University which will work alongside other members of Professional Services to ensure the provision of an effective contractual negotiation and administrative function to the University, covering a range of activities primarily relating to the University’s commercial education and research activities.  

The role will include providing legal advice on commercial contracts relating to education (including degree apprenticeships and continuing professional development) and research (including commercial clinical trials). 

We wish to recruit someone who is experienced with contracts and contractual negotiations, organised and enthusiastic with an eye for detail, and a good communicator. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work independently within a supportive team. 

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes. 

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. 

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

Benefits

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• 41 days leave per year
• options for flexible working
• numerous discounts at leading retailers
• onsite gyms on all of our campus’ and a cycle to work scheme
• sector leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to six weeks full pay) and a Fertility Treatment Policy
• stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful South West of England

Further information

Please contact Chrysten Cole, General Counsel and Director of Legal and Student Cases c.e.cole@exeter.ac.uk. 

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