Legal Counsel or Senior Legal Counsel

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a busy and successful in-house legal team. The University Legal Team is part of the Division of General Counsel, Governance & Compliance (GCGC), within the University’s Professional Services Team.

The work of the Legal Team is fast-paced, often reactive and integral to delivering the University’s policy and operational priorities. The legal issues are often complex and sensitive and span a variety of topics, cover the full range of legal and regulatory issues facing the University including academic partnerships, student and staff complaints and disciplinary matters, freedom of speech and academic freedom, employment, regulatory compliance, commercial contracts, intellectual property, real estate, construction projects and litigation.

Members of the Legal Team work collaboratively with other members of the Professional Services Team and academic colleagues to deliver robust, high-quality advice that is solution-based and centred on a sound assessment of legal risk.

About you

You will be qualified to practise as a barrister or solicitor in England and Wales and hold a current practising certificate. You will have at least 3 years PQE and have demonstrable experience in areas of law relevant to the University. You will be expected to deliver high quality, pragmatic legal advice at pace across the broad range of the University’s activities, providing an efficient and effective service that represents excellent value for money for the University.

About our Division

We drive good governance and high-quality decision making to support the delivery of the University’s strategic and operational objectives by providing professional legal, governance, information management and risk management expertise and advice to help the University realize opportunity and manage risk.

We support governance across the University to ensure high quality decision making which keeps pace with our changing needs. Also, we oversee and drive compliance with key legislative and regulatory requirements.

Please find further information regarding the division at General Counsel, Governance and Compliance: University of Sussex.

Why work here

Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.

Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.

Further Key Information

Please contact Juliet Escombe (j.escombe@sussex.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.

The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Eligibility

Visa Sponsorship Queries: TBC

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.

Closing Date

Expected Interview Date

Expected Start Date

Fixed Term Contract Duration