Head of Legal Services (Maternity Cover)

Bangor University is seeking a solicitor or barrister to join its team as Head of Legal Services to cover maternity leave for up to 12 months.

Reporting to the University Secretary, the post holder will play a significant, strategic role in supporting the University’s ambitions and delivery of the Strategic Plan.

Duties will include providing legal advice to the University and its subsidiaries, and when necessary, seeking advice from the University’s external legal advisers, as well as managing a team of contracts and legal compliance specialists.

The successful candidate will be an England and Wales Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with at least 4/5 years post qualification experience. They will have experience of commercial and contract law, preferably in a higher education context, or with transferable skills.

This is a temporary, part time role (0.8FTE) and the ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post.

This role will be located on campus at Bangor. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.

Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 382646.

Closing date for applications: 13 May 2024

Committed To Equal Opportunities

• The role holder will provide legal advice to the University and its subsidiaries, and when necessary, will seek advice from the University’s external legal advisers.
• The role holder will co-ordinate the response/relevant action and will provide appropriate advice in consultation with the University Secretary.
• Working closely with other Professional Services, particularly the Integrated Research and Impact Support (IRIS) Service, the role holder will negotiate, draft and advise on a wide range of legal issues spanning the whole range of University activities. This will include advising on a number of contractual arrangements, such as supply and purchase agreements, conveyancing matters, licences, confidentiality agreements, collaboration agreements, memoranda of understanding, corporate documentation, consultancy agreements and regulatory issues.
• The role holder will manage a team of contracts and legal compliance specialists.

To provide legal advice to the University and its subsidiaries and, where necessary, to seek advice from the University's external legal advisors.

• Providing risk based, efficient and pragmatic legal advice and guidance on a wide range of legal issues to the Executive Board, senior management and staff across the University;
• Leading and developing the University's legal services ensuring strong partnerships are created and maintained with Colleges and Professional Service departments, creating effective relations with key internal stakeholders;
• Advising the University on wholly owned companies and joint ventures;
• Ensuring that the University’s legal services policies, processes and systems are efficient, effective, fit for purpose, up to date and reflect best practice within the sector and the wider legal community;
• Keeping the University Secretary informed of significant legal issues developing within the University, and provide advice and guidance as appropriate
• Instructing external legal advisors as appropriate;
• Overseeing the work of the contracts team and drafting / negotiating agreements;
• Working closely with the University’s International Education Centre to ensure that international collaboration and other agreements are adequately reviewed and drafted;
• Advising or seeking advice on the implications of Subsidy Control in relation to various University projects/initiatives as required
• Supporting and developing the University’s contract processes and procedures;
• Assisting with regulatory matters relevant to the University;
• Benchmarking the University’s legal services processes against other similar organisations to ensure fitness for purpose;
• Providing professional advice/guidance and review for legal and other contractual documents;
• Creating and maintaining a standard suite of precedent agreements;
• Advising on litigation risks, and managing litigation matters when they arise;
• Reviewing and negotiating leases/licences and offering advice;
• Providing advice and guidance to the University Secretary and the wider university community on legislative changes and case law affecting the higher education sector.
• Acting as the University’s Data Protection Officer, overseeing the University’s response to information requests.

• The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.
• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/herself and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.

Qualifications/Training  

Essential

• An England and Wales Qualified Solicitor or Barrister.

Experience/Knowledge  

Essential

• At least 4/5 years Post Qualification Experience;
• Experience of commercial and contract law, preferably in a higher education context or with transferable skills.

Desirable

• Experience of property law and charity matters;
• Experience of the higher education sector;
• Experience of managing a team;
• Experience of working as an in house lawyer advising across a broad spectrum of legal topics.

Skills/Abilities  

Essential

• Organisational, presentation and training skills;
• Well-developed people skills;
• Ability to create and manage effective administrative systems;
• Excellent IT skill;
• Excellent time management and flexibility to respond to tight time scales;
• Able to work alone or as part of a team;
• Able to communicate effectively, especially to non-legal experts.

Other  

Desirable

• The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If applicants are not able to speak / write in Welsh at present, there are many opportunities to learn if the successful candidate wishes to do so.
  

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally. 

We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. 

All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact. 

All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.  

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us.  When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful.   If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa.   The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas .   If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.      

Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University's Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.