Internal Applicants Only – University Lawyer

Job title:

Internal Applicants Only – University Lawyer

Company

Cardiff University

Job description

School / DirectorateUniversity Secretary’s OfficeAdvertThis post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only. Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.Internal Applicants Only – University LawyerAre you a Solicitor or Barrister looking to join a small, busy, and supportive team? The University Secretary’s Office provides legal advice and representation to the University, its Council, and committees, as well to senior management and other colleagues.If you are a practicing lawyer from any background who values working in a dynamic in-house environment, we would like to hear from you.You will need the ability to work well independently, together with General Counsel, and as part of the wider team. We are seeking a candidate who is motivated to deliver legal services in a time-responsive, pragmatic, approachable and professional manner. You will need to have;

• strong drafting skills,
• demonstrable knowledge of contract law
• and the desire and ability to quickly grasp new areas of law and issues within the higher education field.

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Natalie Gilbert, GilbertN3@cardiff.ac.ukThis role is eligible to be offered on a blended working basis, meaning that as well as spending time working on campus you can also choose to spend some time working from another location, e.g. your home. The University is committed to offering this flexibility, wherever the role and business need allows, supporting work-life balance.Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 37 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) pro-rata for part-time hours, local pension scheme, blended working (meaning you may be able to work from home for some of your time, depending on business needs), a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments up the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.This post is full-time (35 hours per week), open-ended and available immediately.Salary: £50,694 – £55,295 per annum (Grade 7) (additional supplements can be requested following recruitment subject to the individual skill set and experience and evidence of total reward package).Closing date: Thursday, 14 November 2024External applications are currently not being considered for this post. If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.Cardiff 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 who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.Post Reference Number19352BRJob DescriptionThis role will be responsible for the provision of specialist legal advice to the University. The specialist areas covered by legal services include, commercial contracts, charity law, civil litigation, employment, intellectual property, property law (estates) and terms and conditions. You will also need to pick up new areas of law at speed.Operate the University’s legal framework, assisting the University to interpret and use external legal advice. Contribute to policy development ensuring the University is legally compliant. Development of a suite of standard legal documents for transactional work across the University services including procurement and research and innovation.This role involves a substantial degree of independent professional responsibility and discretion including the development and implementation of policies and processes in individual areas of legal expertise which contribute to the broader University strategy. The postholder will have a high level of autonomy and be expected to deputise from time to time for General Counsel.Duties and ResponsibilitiesKey Duties

• Provide professional high quality legal advice and guidance to internal and external customers that will have institution wide impacts, advising on the impact of legal and regulatory regime for changes affecting the University.
• To draft and negotiate legal agreements, letters and other documentation and to review and negotiate documentation prepared by others, including commercial and other contracts (both standard form and specific contracts) relating to the supply of goods and services including relating to the procurement process, consultancy, academic collaborations nationally and internationally, general trading contracts, construction contracts, tenancies/licences to occupy, location hire agreements, and agreements with contractors (including individuals operating through the University’s payroll, individuals using personal service companies and individuals acting as sole traders).
• To provide advice relating to intellectual property issues (particularly copyright, trademarks and internet domain rights) arising from activities of the University. The post holder will give preliminary advice concerning intellectual property issues and prepare formal assignments of copyright and effect registration of domain names when required.
• To provide advice in relation to the legal aspects of University’s student appeals and complaints procedures.
• Develop new processes and procedures for application across the University. To use initiative to suggest improvements to practices of or services provided by the Legal team to maximise the team’s effectiveness.
• Take responsibility for resolving issues independently where they fall within set role objectives, using judgement and creativity to suggest the most appropriate course of action and ensuring complex and conceptual issues and solutions are understood by the audience.

Continued under Additional Information.Salary Range Max.55,295GradeGrade 7Salary Range Min.50,694Job CategoryBusiness / Strategic ManagementAdditional InformationJob Description continued.Duties and ResponsibilitiesKey DutiesPlan and deliver projects / strategies for legal compliance which so far as possible maximise the University’s opportunities and minimise the impact of changes on the University. Managing the operation of project teams as needed, planning, organising, and delegating work, monitoring progress and intervening as required.

• Investigate and analyse complex issues, identifying and reviewing information requirements for legal cases to ensure efficiency, legality and confidentiality are maintained. Creating recommendation reports, supported by advances in legal practice.

• Ensure that the provision of high-level support and advice on legal issues, not limited to policy or procedural areas, with a long -term impact on those involved, is delivered to the institution, proactively changing the delivery according to customer requirements, contributing to the development of institution wide standards.

• Establish relationships with key contacts to ensure role objectives are met, developing appropriate communication links with the University’s Schools/Directorates and outside bodies (in both private practice and the HE sectors) as required, and represent and promote legal services.

• Create specific working groups from colleagues across the University and where appropriate, external partners, to achieve University objectives.

• Design and deliver training sessions and workshops to members of the University with differing levels of understanding of the subject matter.

• Advise colleagues including the senior team on the requirement for, application and implementation of policies, which will include an identification and assessment of legal risk and drafting or contributing to the drafting of policies.

• Identify areas for improvement in systems and processes based on feedback and best practice trends.

• Responsible for maintaining Continuing Professional Development and awareness of changes in legal, regulatory and sector environments within their area of responsibility/specialism and their impact on the University and external partners.

General Duties

• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
• Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Additional InformationWhere the role requires staff management and leadership the following responsibilities will also apply:

• Be ultimately responsible for development and pastoral care and welfare of the staff under the line-management of the role holder including objective setting, appraisal, performance review and training. Be a point of escalation for welfare issues including dealing with matters where there are no set guidelines or procedures.

• Ensure that staff for whom the role holder is responsible operate within appropriate risk assessments and operating procedures and are compliant with all University procedures and policies.

Career PathwayManagerial, Professional and Specialist Staff – MPSSPerson SpecificationEssential CriteriaQualifications and Education1. Qualified to practise as a solicitor or barrister in England and WalesKnowledge, Skills and Experience2. Substantial post qualification experience in Commercial, Civil Litigation and/or Public and Regulatory Law.3. Able to demonstrate expert professional knowledge within specialist discipline, to be recognised as an authority in the field.4. Highly developed legal skills including drafting, researching, negotiation, advocacy, and interviewing.5. Very good organisational and time management skills. Well-developed understanding of the legal and regulatory environment and of the consequences of non-complianceCustomer Service, Communication and Team Working6. Able to influence senior decisions within specialist discipline that have a strategic impact.7. Evidence of ability to explore client’s needs, adapt the service, and set their expectations. Proven ability to develop networks in order to contribute to long term developments.Planning, Analysis and Problem solving8. Evidence of ability to research and solve expansive problems using initiative and creativity; identify and propose both practical and innovative solution.9. Evidence of demonstrable knowledge of key advances within specialist discipline.10. Evidence of ability to undertake and deliver specific projects and supervise short term project teams.Desirable Criteria11. Experience of working in Higher Education / HE Governance
12. Knowledge of a wide range of legal subject areas
13. Charity Law experience
14. Willingness to learn Welsh (written and oral)

Expected salary

£50694 – 55295 per year

Location

Cardiff – England

Job date

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 08:49:53 GMT

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