ABOUT US

Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, UCL is London’s leading multidisciplinary university, with more than 18,000 staff and 51,000 students from over 150 different countries. UCL’s Legal Services Team, which is part of the Office of the General Counsel, is responsible for providing advice to the University on a wide range of legal matters.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We’re looking for a high calibre, senior legal professional on a fixed term basis to cover a period of maternity leave.
As the Legal Counsel - Commercial, you’ll be a key member of the University’s in-house Legal Services team and will be responsible for providing advice on a wide range of legal matters relating to the University including: drafting and negotiating complex agreements, managing disputes, and advising on: intellectual property issues, research agreements, regulatory matters (including export controls and NSI, clinical trials regulation, financial regulation, health and safety), charity matters, governance issues, research ethics and the legal aspect of funding agreements.
You’ll promote good governance and will liaise with colleagues at all levels within the University (and its subsidiary companies) and with external advisers. You’ll lead on specific projects and will support the Director of Legal Services in ensuring an effective and highly respected in-house Legal Services team.

For this job you will need to be a qualified solicitor or barrister, with relevant post–qualification experience at a leading law firm or equivalent in-house role. You will also need to have:

• Strong knowledge and experience in relevant areas of law, including clinical trials and research regulation
• Good commercial acumen and a well-developed knowledge of contract law and experience in negotiating contracts
• Experience dealing with a range of legal issues on a self-standing basis and a willingness to take on new tasks in unfamiliar areas
• The ability to manage and prioritise a varied workload in a timely and cost-effective manner
• Up-to-date technical knowledge, excellent analytical skills, sound judgement and demonstrable experience operating and influencing at senior management and board level
• An appreciation of the dynamics of higher education and an empathy with academic endeavour, without necessarily having worked in the HE secto

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits, some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loa