Deputy Director, Contract Services (Clinical Research)

UCL is a radically different university. Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, we were the first university in England to welcome students of any religion and the first to welcome women to university education. Today UCL has over 50,000 students and 18,000 staff, is one of the world’s top 10 universities and is recognised as one of the most successful research institutions in the world, consistently ranked as one of the top ten universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2010-2024) and is 2nd in the UK for research power and 1st in London (REF 2021).

UCL is a world-leading research-intensive university with an annual turnover of around £1.8bn. Our research and innovation continue to grow in scale and complexity, with record levels of research income and impact achieved last year.

Playing a key role in supporting the UCL research portfolio of 6,000 active research awards and contracts with an annual research income of £500M, Research and Innovation Services (RIS) supports and advances UCL’s position as a world beating research led University. RIS provides high quality research and innovation support that adds value to the academic mission, improves compliance with terms and conditions, policies and regulation, and showcases the expertise of having a centre of excellence of dedicated research and innovation support professionals.

About the role

We are seeking an outstanding and experienced leader to take on the newly created role of Deputy Director, Contract Services (Clinical Research). This is a senior position at the centre of UCL’s world-leading clinical research enterprise which combines legal and contractual expertise with strategic leadership and collaboration across a complex partnership landscape.

Working closely with the Director of Contract Services, you will provide senior-level advice and leadership across all aspects of clinical research contracting. You will lead negotiations on our most complex and high-value agreements, collaborate with UCLH’s Joint Research Office, the Office of General Counsel, and senior academics to resolve challenging issues, and develop clear institutional standards and governance frameworks that support excellence in research delivery.

You will also play a key role in shaping how UCL delivers its contracting services: leading by example, fostering a culture of professionalism and collaboration, and ensuring that our processes and systems continue to evolve to meet the needs of our researchers and partners. Alongside this, you will deputise for the Director in the leadership of the wider Contract Services team, contributing to strategic planning and representing the function at senior levels within and beyond UCL.

This is an influential and rewarding opportunity for a senior professional who enjoys combining strategic thinking with practical problem-solving, and who is motivated by the chance to support world-class research that changes lives.

The role is based at UCL’s Bloomsbury campus, with hybrid working arrangements available.

The salary for this role is from £92,000 per annum, with typical appointment expected up to £100,000 depending on skills and experience.

Further details are available in the [Job Description]: (https://emea5-foc.lumessetalentlink.com/tlk/pages/fo/download_job_file.jsp?ID=Q1KFK026203F3VBQBLO8M8M07&nDocumentID=4587117&ptId=40336). 

About you

You will be a qualified solicitor (or equivalent) with extensive experience in clinical research contracting, whether gained in higher education, the health sector, private practice or industry. You will have deep knowledge of clinical trial governance, intellectual property, and the regulatory and ethical frameworks governing human research, as well as experience negotiating with a range of partners including NHS bodies, funders, and industry.

You are an experienced leader, able to inspire and guide a specialist team and to act as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders. You will bring a collaborative, customer-orientated and solution-focused approach to your work, applying sound judgement and pragmatism to enable high-quality outcomes and the highest standards of service delivery. You will be skilled at building strong working relationships across organisational boundaries and at supporting colleagues and partners through complex contractual discussions with clarity and professionalism.

Equally important will be your commitment to continuous improvement and to modelling a positive, inclusive and service-oriented approach to leadership. You take pride in setting high standards, leading by example, and coaching others to deliver excellent customer care in support of UCL’s research mission.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days).
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE).
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan.
• On-Site nursery.
• On-site gym.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service.
• Discounted medical insurance.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: [https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/]

*All information in the advert has been provided by the advertiser and not by AHEP