Contracts Executive (12-month FTC) at Sage Publishing · London

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.

About Sage:

Sage is 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

About our Team:

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.

Could you be our new Contracts Executive? Are you?

• 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.

Your new role:

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 ethics-related requests, ensuring constructive and quick support for colleagues and authors.
• Keep author reuse policies current by reviewing transmittals and updating databases to reflect the guideline.
• Manage the contracts inbox, providing clear, encouraging responses to internal and external collaborators.

Overview of benefits:

• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with 2 additional floating personal days.
• Hybrid working up to 2 days per week in office and a home working allowance.
• Life assurance, income protection, and travel insurance.
• Private medical cover and access to the company doctor.
• Tuition scheme and support for pursuing professional qualifications, including access to Sage books and journals.
• Variety of snacks and beverages available in the office.
• Healthy lifestyle reimbursement and anniversary trips.
• Access to Company loans (season ticket loan, rental deposit loan, cycle loan).

We’re a Disability Confident Employer (Level 1). If you’d like to apply under this scheme, please let us know in your application.

We’re committed to making our recruitment process accessible and inclusive. If you’d like to request reasonable adjustments, please email humanresources@sagepub.co.uk. Please note we only accept applications via email if an adjustment has been agreed.

Closing date for applications: 30th September 2026.

To ensure we can give each application the attention it deserves, we may consider bringing the closing date forward. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure it is considered.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

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