Head of Contracting & Intellectual Property


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	£66,582 to £77,368 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Oxford, OX4 4XN
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	15 Oct 2026
Closing date:	1 Nov 2026

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Summary

Lead the Trust's research contracting function. Negotiate, review, and execute research agreements, including: Clinical Trial Agreements Collaboration Agreements Data Sharing Agreements Confidentiality Agreements Material Transfer Agreements Partnership Agreements Provide expert contractual, legal, and commercial advice to researchers and senior leaders. Ensure contracts support research delivery while protecting the Trust's interests. Lead implementation of the Trust's Intellectual Property Policy. Identify, assess, record, and manage IP arising from research and innovation activities. Maintain the Trust's IP register and reporting processes. Advise on ownership, licensing, benefit-sharing, and protection of intellectual property assets. Assess and govern innovation and commercialisation opportunities. Support the development of business cases and commercial partnerships. Evaluate opportunities for strategic fit, benefits, risks, funding requirements, and potential returns. Ensure innovation activities comply with governance and regulatory requirements. Identify and manage contractual, intellectual property, and commercial risks. Develop policies, procedures, and assurance systems for research governance. Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and national research requirements. Provide assurance reporting to Trust committees and senior leadership. Build and maintain relationships with key partners including: Oxford University Innovation University of Oxford Oxford University Hospitals NIHR Commercial sponsors and funders Support collaborative research and innovation programmes. Represent the Trust in external meetings and partnership discussions. Lead and develop a high-quality research contracts and IP service. Produce performance reports, metrics, and assurance information. Monitor developments in research regulation, intellectual property, and innovation policy. Provide training and expert guidance to researchers, managers, and stakeholders. Promote best practice in research contracting, intellectual property management, and innovation governance. The primary purpose of the role is to lead the Trust's research contracting, intellectual property, and innovation governance functions, ensuring research and innovation activities are delivered safely, compliantly, and effectively while maximising opportunities for collaboration, commercialisation, and organisational benefit.

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