Deputy head of commercial law

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Job Title: Deputy Head of Commercial Law

Posting Start Date: 07/07/2025

Job Id: 1290

School/Department: Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

Work Arrangement: Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 21/07/2025

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

A rare opportunity has arisen for an exceptional commercial Contracts Lawyer or Contracts Specialist to join the University of Sheffield. The role holder will provide commercial contract advice and legal support to the University's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), particularly in the AMRC's key sectors of Aerospace, Defence and Energy.

You will have substantial experience of contract negotiation and delivering commercial contract legal advice at a senior level in a complex commercial environment, and a strong understanding of contract law.

As well as your legal acumen, it will be imperative that you have the gravitas and credibility to build strong and lasting collaborative relationships with a diverse range of staff and external customers, such as global advanced manufacturing giants like Boeing, Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems, as well as many other companies. You will need to show that you have experience of dealing with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

This is an incredibly diverse, fascinating and dynamic role where you will advise on commercial contracts that are at the forefront of world-leading innovation by a world-renowned University. In addition to supporting the AMRC, you will spend 20% of your time providing legal support on a hugely diverse range of contracts in the wider University.

Although not essential that you hold a Practising Certificate with the Solicitors Regulation Authority, applications from practising solicitors with in-house or private practice commercial contract experience in English Law are desirable.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Building strong relationships with colleagues and customers at all levels of seniority, you will collaborate closely to provide a pragmatic approach to structuring and negotiating contracts and delivering solutions to manage and mitigate legal risk, often to tight deadlines.
• Drafting, reviewing, advising and negotiating a wide range of contracts including NDAs, legal framework agreements, IPR licences, R&D service agreements, R&D sales terms and conditions for goods and services and NEC4 works construction contracts.
• Provide visible leadership to motivate, support and guide staff.
• Act as a source of expertise and a professional role model for colleagues, whilst encouraging a culture of respect and understanding by building trust with individuals and teams, along with handling difficult situations calmly and effectively.
• Identify , create and provide a training and development programme to staff on contracts and contract negotiation.
• Develop and implement an efficient contracting process, including an appropriate, transparent work in progress and contract storage and access system.
• Deputise as needed for the Head of Commercial Law/Senior Legal Counsel and carry out other duties as required.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post .

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We develop a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

• Technically proficient in drafting and reviewing contract terms and significant experience of negotiating contracts with commercial partners (assessed at application/interview).
• Effective communication, influencing and negotiating skills with an ability to communicate complex commercial contract clauses and concepts clearly, timely and concisely to varying levels of seniority (assessed at application/interview).
• Ability to handle complex workloads and meet tight deadlines (assessed at application/interview).
• Assertive and effective decision-making skills, focusing on key risks in agreements and recommending appropriate courses of action (assessed at application/interview).
• Ability to exercise professional judgement to see the bigger picture in any project, analyse and develop creative and pragmatic approaches to problem solving, balancing risks and benefits to make recommendations (assessed at application/interview).
• Ability to deliver legal services in a way which is people focused, pragmatic and sensitive to varying levels of seniority (assessed at application/interview).
• A collaborative and encouraging approach to working with others and having an ability to build, develop and sustain strong working relationships across the University (assessed at application/interview).
• A desire and ability to work with and support the UK defence sector, including willingness and ability to go through security clearance up to developed vetting.
• Line management experience (assessed at application/interview).
• Hold a Solicitor's Practising Certificate with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (assessed at application/interview).

Further Information

Grade: 9

Work arrangement: Full-time

Line manager: Head of Commercial Law/Senior Legal Counsel

Direct reports: None in post, potential to recruit

Our website: AMRC.co.uk and sheffield.ac.uk

For informal enquiries about this job, contact:
Simon Macdonald-Preston, Head of Commercial Law/Senior Legal Counsel, at .

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in August. This will consist o f an interview and presentation of advice on a sample contract. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact: .

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record

Please note that due to the duties of this post, the appointee will be required to obtain a satisfactory Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

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