Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron science facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.  The facility is used by over 3,000 academic and industrial researchers across a wide range of disciplines including structural biology, energy, engineering and environmental sciences.

We require a Contracts Officer or a Legal Assistant to assist our Commercial Office in providing key professional services and dealing with an expanding workload.  We will be appointing one person to one of these roles depending on qualifications and experience.

If you are an organised and confident self-starter and have the ability to assist with the management and administration of a broad range of contracts and arising legal matters, then you could be the person to make an important contribution to the future success of our science and technology based organisation.

Contracts Officer

Duties

• Deal directly with non-procurement contracts required across the organisation, including those related to facility access, disclosure of confidential information, licensing, studentships, collaborations, joint appointments, intellectual property, media arrangements and estates management;
• To co-ordinate and improve the processes by which Diamond manages a growing number and range of science and technology agreements;
• Liaise with internal and external parties as necessary including UK and international academic establishments, shareholders, commercial customers, lawyers and other consultants;
• Prepare the final briefing note requesting signature of contracts, setting out key terms and any risks or issues;
• Accurately maintain, update and monitor existing records ensuring that follow up actions are met throughout the life of the agreements;
• Scrutinise and negotiate contracts: Engaging with all interested parties to negotiate and influence in order to achieve suitable agreement, keeping all stakeholders informed and seeking appropriate advice at all levels (including the Directorate) as appropriate to assess risks and benefits;
• Keep comprehensive records of each stage of contract negotiations;
• Research and seek necessary technical advice on a variety of legal issues. Where appropriate, working with external legal support to meet the needs of particular negotiations;
• Continuously develop and establish relevant procedures and policies to improve Diamond’s management of contracts, both internally and through its third party relationships, whilst at the same time keeping related workload and overheads to a minimum;
• Proactively arranging contract review meetings and renewals of contracts that are in place;
• Deal with other business needs as they arise, such as reviewing and advising on legal, governance and compliance requirements;
• Arrange meetings, record minutes and produce action notes as and when the need arises;
• Other duties as assigned by the Legal Manager when the need arises.

Legal Assistant

Duties

• Assist in preparing and analysing non-procurement contracts required across the organisation, including those related to facility access, disclosure of confidential information, licensing, studentships, collaborations, joint appointments, intellectual property, media arrangements and estates management;
• Assist in the coordination and improvement of the processes by which Diamond manages a growing number and range of science and technology agreements;
• Liaise with internal and external parties as necessary including UK and international academic establishments, shareholders, commercial customers, lawyers and other consultants;
• Prepare the final briefing note requesting signature of contracts, setting out key terms and any risks or issues;
• Accurately maintain, update and monitor existing records ensuring that follow up actions are met throughout the life of the agreements;
• Engage with all interested parties in the process of negotiating contracts, keeping comprehensive records of each stage of the negotiations;
• Proactively arranging contract review meetings and renewals of contracts that are in place;
• Research and seek necessary technical advice on contractual and compliance issues;
• Arrange meetings, record minutes and produce action notes;
• Other duties as assigned by the Legal Manager when the need arises.

Required for Both Roles

• Degree qualified;
• Post graduate qualification in the legal field (such as a commercially focused Legal Practice Course or LLM or equivalent) and/or previous experience in a similar role with broad and demonstrable experience of drafting contracts to a high standard
• A good practical understanding of the legal aspects of the business and/or science environment;
• A broad and demonstrable knowledge and working experience of drafting contracts to a high standard;
• A first-rate and demonstrable knowledge and understanding of relevant legal principles applicable to the role;
• Knowledge and experience in the administration of legal agreements;
• Rigorous administration skills with good attention to detail;
• Sound IT skills are required, and the successful applicant will be fully conversant and proficient with the use of Microsoft Word, including all general formatting and electronic annotation e.g. track changes;
• Ability to work on own initiative but also an effective team worker;
• Self-motivated with a positive approach and aptitude for problem solving;
• Displays enthusiasm and interest to effectively extract and contextualise the relevant information required in order to take control of the process;
• An ability to analyse, interpret and respond effectively to detailed written documentation;
• An organised, level headed but flexible approach to working to deadlines under pressure;
• Proven ability to prioritise a heavy and varied workload and to keep track of a large volume of ongoing projects;
• Ability to communicate effectively, within a science and technical environment, at all levels of seniority, in writing and orally in English to a very high standard and to present a coherent argument;
• An ability to work effectively in the specialist area but contribute as part of a wider group of individuals providing support services to the organisation.

In addition, the following is required for the Contracts Officer Role

• A substantial amount of relevant experience or an appropriately qualified lawyer with relevant experience;
• Maintained knowledge of English law;
• Experience using legal research resources such as Practical Law Company.

Contracts Officer - Desirable

• Experience of working with budgetary information;
• Experience of managing and administering intellectual property;
• Knowledge of higher education administration including an understanding of research grant funding in UK universities;
• An interest and awareness in the role that scientific innovation can play within a progressive economy.

Legal Assistant - Desirable

• Working knowledge using legal research resources such as Practical Law Company;
• Experience of working with budgetary information;
• An interest and awareness in the role that scientific innovation can play within a progressive economy.