Legal Counsel

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About the College/DepartmentLegal, Governance and Assurance Services are a central risk management and support function which reports directly to the University Secretary and Registrar.
We consist of 3 teams: Legal Services, Governance, and Assurance. We provide professional support and assess and mitigate risk, including legal, regulatory, financial and reputational risk, across the University.
Legal Services Legal Services provides support and advice in relation to contracts and other legal matters.
Governance In Governance, we provide support, advice and documentation for the University's governance activities, working to reflect best practice, guidance and legislation.
Assurance In Assurance services, we support the University's regulatory arrangements; and are responsible for monitoring the University's approach to the OfS conditions of registration. We also provide monitoring, training and support to reduce risk of non-compliance with these conditions.
The Department provides timely, high-quality, pragmatic, and commercially focused legal advice on complex, high-value, and strategic matters. Through its work, it supports the University’s strategic ambitions and ensures robust legal frameworks are in place to guide and protect institutional decision-making.
About the RoleThis is an excellent opportunity to join a specialist team providing high quality, commercially astute legal advice across the University. As Legal Counsel, you will play a key role in supporting a wide range of legal matters, including commercial and contractual issues, regulatory concerns, intellectual property, and corporate documentation.
Working closely with the Senior Legal Counsel and fellow Legal Counsel, you will lead on the negotiation, drafting, and review of a diverse array of legal agreements, ranging from supply and purchase contracts to research collaborations, consultancy arrangements, and memoranda of understanding. You will also be instrumental in supporting the University's governance framework and managing legal risk in contracts and other transactional activity.
Office presence is required at least 3 days a week.
About YouThe successful applicant will be a qualified solicitor or barrister with post-qualification experience in commercial law, ideally gained in an in-house or public sector setting. You will have a strong working knowledge of contract law and commercial practice, alongside proven experience in negotiating and advising on a broad range of legal agreements.
Your ability to communicate complex legal matters clearly and persuasively is essential, as is your aptitude for working independently and managing competing priorities effectively. You’ll also be a confident collaborator, able to build trusted relationships across the institution, influence decision-making, and deliver pragmatic, solutions-focused advice that supports the University’s strategic goals.
Experience in the higher education or public sector, or in intellectual property and research contracting, would be advantageous but is not essential.
Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 42 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Access to employer-funded Private Health Insurance
• Holiday purchase
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

Key ContactFor further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Kate Webster, Senior Legal Counsel via k.webster@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk
Important Information This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£41,700 per annum, as of 22nd July 2025).
If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:

• Your job is on the Immigration Skills List
• You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
• You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job
• You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered. For more information, visit our website.
The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.