Contract Administrator

Role Description

Department

The Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (RIKE) Directorate is responsible for central management of the University’s activities and strategy in research and knowledge exchange, and for providing comprehensive support to academic departments in their research and impact activities. The Research and Knowledge Exchange Contracts Team (RKEC), part of the RIKE Directorate, draft, negotiate and review all contracts with research funders, companies and other partners related to the University's research portfolio.

Role

The role is to provide professional administrative services, carrying out a range of duties to facilitate the smooth running of RKEC.

Day-to-day you will help support the RKEC team in all aspects of contract delivery, from chasing outstanding drafts, to arranging signatures with the university’s research partners and supporting members of the RKEC team in delivering a high performing contracts service. This is a varied role which combines administrative duties that are commonly found in many busy offices, with ones which are more specific to a HEI contracts function.

Alongside this position, the RKEC admin team includes two additional members. You will work closely together as a team but also have the autonomy to manage your own tasks.

We are seeking a colleague to join us on a fixed-term basis, starting as soon as possible and running through to 12 July 2027.

The standard working pattern for this role is 18.5 hours per week; however, we are open to discussing requests for reduced hours. This role is offered on a hybrid working basis.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• Proven track record in a varied admin role, efficiently prioritising competing tasks to meet deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills, with proficiency in Google applications and Microsoft Office.
• Proactive approach to problem-solving, with strong accuracy in recording, analysing, and reporting data.
• Collaborative team player committed to continuous improvement, high-quality service, and championing equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Level 2 qualification (e.g., 5 GCSEs at grade 4–9 / A*–C including Maths and English) or equivalent professional experience.

Interview date: To be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Jen Searle, Senior Contract officer – jenny.searle@york.ac.uk until 18^th September, after 18^th September please contact Michael Gwinnett, Head of Research and Knowledge Exchange Contracts michael.gwinnett@york.ac.uk

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview.  Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.