Costings and Contracts Officer

Job overview

Costing & Contracts Officer (Band
6) – Noclor NHS Research Office, North London

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and smart‑working Costings and Contracts Officer to provide expertise and leadership to the department, including costing clinical research studies.

The role involves supporting the management team in relation to R&D responsibilities and undertaking a range of research administrative and support tasks that contribute to the effective running of the Research Operations Unit.

As part of the Research and Development Department, the post holder will lead on the costing and contract review of new research studies and amendments for both commercial and non‑commercial sponsored studies, and provide guidance and expertise in costing and contract matters to fellow staff.

This key role carries responsibility for leading the development, review and negotiation of study costings and contracts for NIHR portfolio studies. It also involves working closely with sponsors, academics, finance teams and external partners to ensure studies are set up efficiently and in line with national frameworks and governance requirements.

Key duties include:

• Leading the development, review and negotiation of research study costings in line with national frameworks (e.g. AcoRD, NIHR guidance)
• Owning research contracts and agreements, liaising with sponsors, legal and finance teams
• Providing specialist advice on costing, contracts and research governance to internal and external stakeholders
• Overseeing financial tracking, forecasting and reconciliation of study budgets
• Identifying, managing and resolving issues relating to study set‑up, costing and contracting
• Contributing to the improvement of costing and contracting processes within the service

Part of the Noclor NHS Research Support Service based in Kentish Town, the role offers a collaborative and high‑performing team environment. The organisation partners with leading academic institutions, GP practices, care homes and community services, and offers training and development opportunities to support career progression in research management.

Benefits include a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options.

• Primarily office‑based role (Monday to Friday)
• Home working not permitted during the first six months; thereafter one day per fortnight may be worked from home

• Significant experience in a healthcare research support environment
• Working knowledge of national research contract templates (mCTA, mNCA, MTA, DTA) and costing frameworks (ACoRD, SoECAT, FEC)
• Strong knowledge of the UK clinical research landscape including NIHR, HRA, MHRA, and ICH GCP
• Experience of grant application procedures and major funding bodies’ terms and conditions
• Experience reviewing, drafting and amending research contracts and legal agreements
• Good knowledge of contracting issues including intellectual property, confidentiality, publications and liability
• Experience managing research project finances, monitoring income and expenditure, and fund flows
• Experience of multi‑stakeholder management across complex organisations
• Experience of working with or within the pharmaceutical industry or CRO sector
• Experience of negotiating research contracts in the NHS, HEI or similar context
• Knowledge of specialist R&D databases (e.g. EDGE, CPMS)
• Experience of NHS finance systems and processes

• Ability to interpret and analyse complex scientific and financial information
• Excellent communication and customer service skills; able to liaise effectively at all levels
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations and reports to a high standard
• Strong interpersonal skills to work with clinical and management colleagues across organisations
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to exercise sound judgement
• Good IT skills including MS Office, Excel and web‑based applications
• Ability to plan, manage and deliver multiple projects to tight deadlines
• Able to maintain accurate, detailed records and data entry
• Capable of working independently and managing own workload effectively
• Experience…