The Opportunity

We are seeking a Contracts Manager to join our team. We enter into a wide range of commercial agreements. These include inbound and outbound contracts for services, subcontracts, framework agreements, grant agreements, confidentiality agreements, data sharing agreements, software licensing (including SaaS) agreements, and more.

We work with a diverse range of clients and partners in the UK and internationally, including Government Departments, NHS, Local Authorities, philanthropic foundations, charities, commercial consultancies, services providers, as well as international development agencies, such as FCDO, The World Bank, USAID and others.

As our business has grown so has the need to ensure our contracts reflect the relationships we want to set up, so we can generate the social impact we seek alongside managing the risks we take on. We are seeking to appoint a Contracts Manager to lead our day-to-day work around contracting to help us find the right balance.

The post holder will work closely with one of our directors who was previously a senior lawyer and who can support the post holder on complex issues that arise.

This is a part time position, offered at around 3 days per week (to be discussed and agreed with the candidate). We are open to a variety of flexible working arrangements subject to candidate preference and an ability to meet business need.

About you

It is important you have a mix of the skills and experiences below, and most importantly, will be excited about the opportunity to learn and support. We are looking for an experienced individual who is able to play a crucial role in the success of our business.

You will have:

• An appropriate legal qualification in England & Wales or equivalent common law jurisdiction, together with relevant post qualification experience.

• Experience of advising on commercial contracts, including transaction structuring

• An eye for detail and strong contract drafting skills.

• Good technical legal skills, specifically: Good knowledge of data protection required with advanced knowledge being desirable. General knowledge of intellectual property required with specific knowledge around IT & software being desirable. Experience of public sector contracting or charity law an advantage

• A basic understanding of the tax implications (particularly VAT) of the different structures and an ability to apply that to what is right for the contracting situation.

• A positive ‘can do’ attitude to find solutions to contracting challenges.

• Strong understanding of risk management principles and governance best practices.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and effectively communicate complex legal and governance topics to non-legal staff.

• Ability to meet tight deadlines and to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to work both autonomously and excellent communication skills to work as part of a team as and when required.

• Ability to use initiative and a willingness to embrace innovation and continuous improvement, including harnessing new technology to deliver better services, faster.

• Willingness to work with less experience project staff to upskill them around contracting.

• Shared values and a passion for our work as a social mission-driven organisation

Responsibilities

Contract Management:

• Reviewing, assessing, and drafting a wide range of commercial contracts, including service agreements, consulting agreements, grant agreements and data protection arrangements.

• Ensuring we have a standard set of template agreements for use in our most common contracts, such as sub-contracting arrangements or engagement letters.

• Supporting project teams in the negotiation of a range of agreements.

• Provide advice and support to colleagues around contracting and legal structuring.

• Identifying and advising on risks, minimising these through drafting where possible.

• Escalating complex issues or areas where significant residual risk remains to ensure appropriate scrutiny and sign off.

• Liaison with external stakeholders as appropriate (e.g., pro bono legal support, external specialist legal advice (occasional)).

• Developing relationships with pro bono lawyers and a sustainable strategy for how to most effectively use them.

• Supporting the on due diligence and client KYC where required, working closely with compliance colleagues.

Data Processing and Sharing Agreements:

• Develop, review, and update data processing and data sharing agreements in line with applicable data protection laws (e.g., GDPR).

• Work with others to ensure the organisation’s data handling practices are aligned with contractual obligations.

• Work with internal stakeholders to assess the need for new data processing agreements and ensure consistency across the organisation.

Staff Support and Training:

• Act as the first point of contact for internal queries related to contracts and information governance.

• Provide expert guidance and support to staff on all matters related to contracts, data protection, and information governance.

• Organise and deliver training sessions on information governance, data privacy, and legal compliance matters for staff.

Legal Compliance:

• Monitor and ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies regarding contracts and data governance.

• Identify potential risks related to contracts, data handling, and information governance, and work proactively to mitigate those risks.

• Collaborate with legal, IT, and compliance teams to ensure a holistic approach to governance and risk management.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Prepare reports on contract management and information governance matters for senior management.

• Maintain comprehensive records of contract and governance-related activities, ensuring all relevant documentation is filed and accessible.

About Social Finance

We are an ambitious not for profit organisation that helps to design, fund and scale better solutions to complex social problems. Our vision is a fairer world where together we unleash the potential of people and communities. We do this by working in partnership with local and national governments, funders, communities, and the social sector to tackle complex and enduring social problems in the UK and across the world.

Our skills include financial analysis, data and digital insight, outcomes-focused partnerships, strategy, research, and design. We combine these specialisms in different ways to address specific social challenges. We create effective solutions that blend the expertise of communities and professionals to deliver better outcomes in issues such as homelessness, domestic abuse, children’s services, health, employment and skills.

Ready to make your own impact on these issues? Then come and join us.

Our multi-skilled team of over 120 people come from diverse backgrounds in the public, private and charity sectors, all sharing a passion for making change happen. We provide a high-quality training and development programme in-house with great opportunities for career progression. We’re a friendly and intellectually curious bunch, always up for a debate. Read more about what it’s like to work here.

What we do

Our unique method combines financial analysis, data science, service design, and social issues research. We focus this expertise on understanding the needs of service users and working with communities to create new responses to challenging social problems.

We develop models, products and services that are pragmatic and have the scope to drive systemic change to improve people’s lives. In the UK, we focus on issues such as homelessness, domestic abuse, mental health, learning difficulties, loneliness and vulnerable children on the edge of the care system. We also look to improve equity for marginalised communities in social services. Internationally, we design outcomes-based models for issues such as maternal and neonatal health, education and employment.

Our Values

Everyone at Social Finance believes that change for communities is possible. To help us achieve it, we have three core values that guide everything we do. We are curious, empathetic and pioneering.

Working at Social Finance

The fixed salary for this position is £50,000 FTE. Working for a mission driven organisation is more than just what we pay though, it’s about our culture, our approach and what else we offer. Read more about working at Social Finance here.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

We actively encourage applications from under-represented and minoritised groups, including those with lived experience of the social issues we are working to address. We are an equal opportunities employer. We support a range of flexible working options and welcome UK based applications from outside of London / the Southeast so far as they can meet the in-person meeting requirements for the role. We can also accommodate secondments and part-time working. Read more about our approach to equity, diversity and inclusion here.

We work on some projects where our clients may require different levels of DBS checking for our employees. Candidates deemed suitable for a role after interview will be asked to declare any unspent convictions to ensure that we are able to resource them to projects appropriately.