Head of Legal Services and University Counsel

Right to work: Please note that it will not be possible for the University to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to the successful candidate for this position. Therefore, the appointable candidate will need to be eligible to work in the UK or have leave to remain in the UK and associated right to work for the duration of their employment with the University, in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

Full-Time, Permanent

Royal Holloway, University of London, is seeking an exceptional legal professional to lead our Legal Services function as Head of Legal Services and University Counsel, acting as the University’s principal legal adviser. In this senior strategic role, you will provide authoritative legal guidance across all areas of institutional activity and help shape the University’s Governance and compliance environment. Working within the Governance and Compliance portfolio and reporting to the University Secretary, you will lead the Legal Services team, ensuring the provision of proactive, high-quality legal advice that supports sound decision-making, protects institutional interests and enables delivery of the University’s strategic priorities. You will engage directly with senior leaders, including the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Executive Board and Council, on complex, sensitive and high-impact matters. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced solicitor to play a central role in the University’s future direction, influencing legal strategy, risk management, governance frameworks and sector compliance.

You will be responsible for providing strategic leadership for the University’s legal function, establishing standards and ensuring responsive, solution-focused service across the institution. Acting as the senior legal authority, you will advise on employment, governance, commercial activity, research, student issues, regulatory matters and risk. You will oversee the drafting, review and negotiation of complex contracts, support intellectual property and commercial arrangements, and manage dispute resolution and litigation, including work with external counsel where appropriate. You will ensure compliance with relevant legislation and regulatory duties including data protection and UKVI requirements, working closely with compliance teams and the Data Protection Officer. A key part of the role is building strong partnerships across the University, positioning Legal Services as a trusted advisor and maintaining effective external relationships with government bodies, legal professionals and partners.

You will be a qualified solicitor with substantial post-qualification experience and a current practising certificate, with broad legal expertise, commercial awareness, excellent judgement and experience operating in a complex organisation. You will have proven ability to lead and develop a professional team, communicate complex legal issues clearly to a wide range of audiences and provide authoritative advice at senior levels, including direct counsel to the Vice-Chancellor and Principal as Accountable Officer. Experience within the Higher Education or research sector is desirable but not essential. As a University of Social Purpose, we value equity, inclusion and community, and expect colleagues to contribute to an environment shaped by our values of being Respectful, Innovative, Open and Daring. 

In return we offer a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including: 

• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Training and Development opportunities.
• Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution.
• Various schemes including Cycle to Work, Season Ticket Loans and help with the cost of Eyesight testing.
• Free parking.

The post is based in Egham, Surrey where the University is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Felicity Stringer felicity.stringer@rhul.ac.uk or +44 (0)1784 911826. 

For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at: recruitment@rhul.ac.uk

Please quote the reference: 0326-089

Closing Date: 23:59, 24 March 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed 

This position is not eligible for hybrid working.

Royal Holloway is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and encourages applications from all people regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, parental status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or trans status or history. More information on our structures and initiatives around EDI, including information on staff diversity networks, can be found on our Equality and Diversity Intranet page.