Contracts Executive; FTC)

Contract Executive – £49,815 – 12 months fixed-term contract

Join us and be part of a mission-driven, independent publisher. You’ll work with a diverse group of people who share a passion for empowering researchers, educators, and institutions to shape the future.

Sageis a global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources with a growing range of technologies to enable discovery, access, and engagement. Believing that research and education are critical in shaping society, Sara Miller McCune founded Sage in 1965. Today, we are controlled by a group of trustees charged with maintaining our independence and mission indefinitely.

Our guaranteed independence means we’re free to:

• Do more
  – supporting an equitable academic future, furthering disciplines that drive social change, and helping social and behavioural science make an impact

• Work together
  – building lasting relationships, championing diverse perspectives, and co-creating resources to transform teaching and learning

• Think long-term
  – experimenting, taking risks, and investing in new ideas

The Contracts & Rights team sits at the heart of Sage’s global Journals Editorial Department, partnering closely with Editorial, Legal, Sustainability and wider publishing colleagues. We support Editors, Societies and internal teams by drafting, reviewing and negotiating agreements that enable journals to thrive. Our work blends legal expertise, relationship‑building and operational clarity ensuring Sage’s publishing partnerships are fair, transparent and future‑focused.

You’ll join a collaborative group who value precision, integrity and constructive problem‑solving, working together to strengthen Sage’s dedication to ethical, legally compliant publishing.

• Experienced in copyright and contract law, with the ability to apply this knowledge to real publishing scenarios.

• Confident in drafting clear, accurate agreements and written mentorship.

• Organised and detail‑focused, able to prioritise several tasks with accuracy and care.

• Proficient in communication, providing clear, constructive advice to colleagues and partners.

• Comfortable working independently in a fast‑changing environment while staying adaptable and solutions‑focused.

• Skilled in working with databases and contract management platforms, with proven Microsoft Office capabilities.

• Able to manage time pressures while maintaining accuracy, integrity, and positive collaborator relationships.

As Contract Executive, you’ll play a key role in developing high-quality publishing agreements and supporting colleagues across Editorial and Legal. You’ll use your knowledge of contract law, copyright and publishing workflows to deliver clear, timely and accurate contractual support. You’ll help ensure Sage’s agreements, databases and processes are robust, accessible and aligned with industry standards enabling teams to make confident, informed decisions.

• Compose high-quality contracts, producing detailed, well‑defined agreements that foster positive relationships with Editors and Societies.

• Review and advise on Editor and Assistant Editor contracts, offering confident mentorship with growing autonomy.

• Strengthen copyright compliance by providing accessible advice to Editorial, Contracts & Rights and other teams.

• Support and lead negotiations with third parties, helping colleagues reach fair, timely outcomes.

• Improve contract management systems by efficiently using, organising, and storing agreements.

• Deliver clear reporting and analysis for ad hoc projects, contributing to operational improvements.

• Maintain legal agreement databases for US and UK teams, ensuring accurate tracking and regular reporting.

• Manage…