Legal Adviser Job – Higher Education | UK Qualified Solicitor/Barrister

Job Purpose:

To be responsible for the provision of legal advice and support for a broad range of legal matters and relevant functions of the organisation and its associated companies.

Responsibilities:

• Act as key legal adviser for all legal matters for the Organization.
• Reviewing and updating relevant policies and regulations in relation to changes of legal and regulatory requirements.
• Liaising with governmental authorities i.e. OIA, CMA and consequently updating relevant literature in accordance with changes
• Managing Prevent Duty
• Reviewing and updating the many and diverse announcements and disclaimers on various hard copy material and touch points (social media, website etc.)
• Reviewing and updating contracts for the organisation and associated companies
• Providing advice to other areas of the business including HR, Admissions, Quality and Academic
• Advising and providing support on legislation applying to higher education
• Dealing with GDPR legislation for the organisation and associated companies ensuring compliance in all areas
• Dealing with all complaints including external, internal, student and staff
• Managing the conduct of litigation matters and representing the organisation and associated companies at legal meetings including the provision of legal representation when required.
• Deal with a wide range of complex and high profile commercial related matters.
• Ability to work on own initiative, producing high quality work to tight deadlines
• Excellent organisational skills with ability to multi-task whilst remaining focussed
• Ability to identify and establish methods to reduce potential risk or liability to the organisation and its associated companies
• This list is not exhaustive and may include additional duties as determined by the senior management

Person Specification:

• Solicitor or barrister qualified to practice in the UK (or equivalent) with some post qualification work experience working in private practice or in-house
• Experience in providing legal advice and support relevant to the higher education sector (preferred)
• Ability to lead cross-institutional projects across the organisation and its associated companies
• Ability to give clear and concise explanations of legal issues to non-qualified members of the organisation at all levels on non-contentious and contentious matters
• Ability to write/prepare high quality papers, presentations, reports and briefings to the Executive Committee Board and other internal/external stakeholders
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with ability to engage with varying audiences
• Able to work well under pressure
• Strong IT/computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft packages