Contracts Administrator

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.
We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here

The Role and the Department

Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides guidance, expert advice and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related work, including securing funding, working with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising outputs,ensuring good research practice and supporting professional development.

The Contracts Administrator will join the Contracting section of Research Operations to support administrative work related to contracts management and processing. The post holder will provide a professional, high-quality administrative support service across the Contracting team, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.

Core responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation and circulation of template contracts to external parties for review.


• Maintain accurate records of all contract-related documents and ensure they are properly filed and accessible.


• Manage the contracts team inbox and responding to queries from principal investigators, departmental officers and funder.


• Liaise with internal departments and external parties to facilitate the contract signature process and address any issues or queries.


• Monitor contract deadlines and renewals, ensuring timely execution and follow-up.


• Provide administrative support for contract negotiations and meetings, including scheduling, minute-taking, and follow-up on action items.


• Support the maintenance of the contract management software


• Prepare regular reports on contract status, metrics, and other relevant information for management review., We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails, Here are the kind of activities that you'll be asked to undertake and ways in which you'll be expected to operate.

Service Delivery

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.


• Provide an excellent and timely service to our students, your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role.


• Use your experience and problem-solving skills to resolve routine issues with things relevant to your role and provide information and updates to help your team find solutions.


• Collect, organise and record data and information accurately and provide reports as required.


• Promote positive wellbeing arrangements which benefit you and your team.


• When carrying out your role, use and apply relevant professional and regulatory standards e.g. data protection when managing data.


• Use standard office-based devices and applications to deliver services.


• Update guidance on standard operating procedures followed by the team.


Teamwork

• Resolve queries and respond to requests for information and advice and bring any complex issues to the attention of more experienced team members.


• Help your team organise and provide administrative services that support key activities undertaken within your service and contribute to team planning activities.


• Help your team ensure that products and services are adapted in response to feedback and to meet changing demands.


Communication/Liaison

• Seek feedback from staff and anyone else that you come across as part of your role on their requirements from your service to ensure that their reasonable expectations are being met.


• Record information and respond to queries which you receive.


• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to plan the delivery of services and events.


• Provide support for meetings, working groups and committees, such preparing and sending documents for meetings, drafting reports and taking minutes.
  
  1. Five GCSE's at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or equivalent experience.

2. Experience of working in a busy office environment delivering front line administrative services or having relevant qualifications for the role.
3. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines and working under pressure without compromising on quality.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
4. Good spoken and written communication skills.
5. Good digital skills including experience in using digital devices and apps including the internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking systems.
6. Committed to continuing professional development.
7. Ability to solve problems and resolve straightforward issues yourself and as part of a team.
8. Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of colleagues and customers

9. Relevant financial and/or procurement administrative experience in a busy office environment.

10. Experience of working in a team.

11. Experience of working on the front line with service delivery, and the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality.

Desirable Criteria

12. Post-16 qualification in Business administration or equivalent experience.

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.


• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.


• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.


• On site nursery is available and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year.


• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).


• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.


• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community


• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.


• We offer generous pension schemes.


Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.
As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.