Contracts Partner

British Geological Survey

Contract Partner
Grade: UKRI - Band E
Salary: 46743 per annum
Contract Type: Open Ended
Hours: Full-time 37 hours a week (a small amount of remote working is possible but this role does require regular onsite attendance)
Location: BGS headquarters in Keyworth in Nottingham
Closing date: 11th February 2026
Interviews: to be held on Friday 27th February 2026 in Nottingham.

A great benefits package is offered! including an outstanding pension scheme (with a generous employer contribution on average 27% of your pay) 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays!

About the role

BGS is an innovative and world-renowned geoscientific research centre engaged in many exciting and forward-thinking research collaborations both nationally and internationally. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced contracts manager to be involved in contractual negotiations in support of BGSs research activities.

Key duties:

• Provide expert legal knowledge to support an increase in our commercial research activity by negotiating and leading on all contracts being undertaken as part of BGSs commissioned income and collaborative research work.
• Provide legal support to facilitate major national and international geoscientific research and collaboration projects.
• Drafting tailored agreements to meet specific requirements for non-standard research work.
  

About you

Are you a highly skilled and experienced contracts negotiator and an expert in providing pragmatic legal advice in relation to the undertaking of commercial and collaborative work

To succeed in this exciting role you will need to be:

• An experienced commercial contracts resource for BGS.
• Experienced in leading the provision of legal support in all aspects of contractual work.
• Comfortable with managing your own responsibilities and workload within an often high-pressured time-critical legal environment but at the same time becoming an integral and respected part of the Legal & IPR Team.
• Adaptable flexible and pragmatic with regards to getting sophisticated sensitive or non-standard situations in contracts over the line. Must be able to demonstrate robust commercial awareness within the context of BGSs primary status as a research institute.
• Able to effectively build links both with legal counterparts at the organisations BGS works for/with as well as with our colleagues in other teams across both operational and scientific functions. There is a vital need to understand the context of research being undertaken and ensure that it is covered within the contract.
• Able to demonstrate experience of the aims and objectives of research/public sector organisations as well as commercial operations.
  

There may be a requirement for occasional travel within the UK as required.

The following specific essential and desirable skills criteria for this post will be assessed at shortlist (S) stage interview (I) stage or both (S&I).

Essential

• Law degree or other qualifications supported by relevant legal/commercial contracts experience and qualifications (S)
• Experience of working within a UK research institute and/or public sector body or demonstrable experience of routinely working with/for such organisations including experience of handling commercial contracts dealing with complex legal and contractual processes associated with commercial tender contract and research agreement work; including negotiations with clients with regard to terms and conditions under which contracted or collaborative work is to be undertaken. (S&I)
• Expert knowledge of business/contract law including all relevant legislation/regulations. (S&I)
• Able to manage your own contractual casework within a high pressure routinely time-critical legal/contractual environment. To include effectively communicating to non-legal colleagues and external organisations. (S&I)
• You will be committed to a diverse and inclusive approach to work in the geosciences (S&I)
  

Desirable

• Further relevant legal qualifications e.g. commercial law contract law intellectual property rights law. (S)
• In-depth understanding of specific legislation/regulations of particular relevance to scientific research community and public sector e.g. Freedom of Information Act/Environmental Information Regulations; Data Protection legislation; Intellectual Property Rights (S&I)
• A solid understanding of NEC Contracts which are routinely placed on BGS for consideration and of licencing agreements. (S&I)
  

Please apply online if you experience any issue applying please contact