Contracts Assistant

JOB PURPOSE:

To provide comprehensive administrative support, advice, and assistance for various ad hoc publishing projects undertaken by the Contracts and Rights team. Additionally, to manage the US and UK Legal Agreements Database.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Provide general administrative support to the Contracts, Rights, and Sustainability teams on ad hoc projects. This includes basic contractual and numerical analysis and reporting relevant information to management.
• Assist the Contracts Manager and Executives in completing daily contracts activities.
• Oversee the signing and storage of all Sage UK Journal contracts.
• Efficiently allocate contracts queries and tasks to individuals within the Contracts Team.
• Manage the Legal Agreements Database for the US and UK legal teams, including tracking the terms of various agreements signed by Sage Ltd, Sage Inc, and Corwin, and running regular reports.
• Respond to Publication Ethics general queries using the JIRA service in an efficient and constructive manner.
• Review all transmittals and check author re-use information, ensuring SHERPA Romeo is up to date with Sage journals' author re-use policies to maximize the attractiveness of Sage journals to authors by demonstrating best practices and compliance with funding mandates and market needs.
• Co-manage the contracts inboxes, responding to both internal and external queries on contributor agreements (including requests for customized journal contributor agreements), author reuse policy, and other miscellaneous queries.
• Review and advise on (with increasing autonomy) Editor and Assistant Editor contracts and addenda.
• Develop positive relationships with relevant internal stakeholders to achieve a productive working relationship.

SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Strong administrative skills across Microsoft Office.
• Awareness of the journal publication process and industry.
• Some knowledge of copyright and contract law would be advantageous.
• Awareness of ethical and legal frameworks in publishing.
• Strong database management skills.
• Ability to work independently and adapt to a fast-changing environment.
• Ability to work under tight time pressures.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Sage we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that is representative of all sections of society and to sustaining a culture that celebrates difference, encourages authenticity, and creates a deep sense of belonging. We welcome applications from all members of society irrespective of age, disability, sex or gender identity, sexual orientation, color, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief as creating value through diversity is what makes us strong.