Senior University Lawyer

The role

Our Legal Services team are looking for a commercially minded lawyer with a track record in sustainability, utilities and/or energy work. This person will support colleagues in the University’s Campus division, particularly our Sustainability team, in their delivery of the University’s objective to minimise our environmental impact aligned to our refreshed Vision and Strategy and on-going operations across the University Group.

This role will involve advising the University Group on a range of legal and commercial issues, including in respect of district heat, power purchase agreements and other aligned initiatives.

Embedding sustainability is a cross cutting theme in the University's strategy, which details the University’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality both to minimise our environmental impact and align with our teaching and research goals. The aim is to integrate sustainability into education, ensuring graduates are equipped with essential skills for the future. Additionally, the University seeks to amplify its sustainability research impact and foster partnerships for a transition to a sustainable future.

Our role in Legal Services is to provide legal advice and support to help colleagues identify and address legal risk, governance and compliance issues enabling them to deliver the University Group’s strategic goals.

This is a full-time, fixed term role to 31 July 2027.

What will you be doing?

Working with us is stimulating and varied; two days are rarely the same.  You will work with a wide range of colleagues, advising the University (an exempt charity) and its Group companies on a number of different legal and commercial issues.

This is a broad role and will touch on a variety of areas of law including commercial and research contracts, intellectual property and procurement as well as needing a strong link with our Sustainability and Finance teams.  It is an excellent opportunity for you to expand your career and experience within so many different areas.

You should apply if

You must have the confidence and experience to work independently at a senior level and give sound advice in the context of the University Group’s aims, objectives and strategies.

You will be qualified (or otherwise entitled to practice) as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales.

Experience of working in the higher education sector would be useful but is not essential. Strong interpersonal, organisational and IT skills are essential.

This role would suit a lawyer looking to make a big difference in a diverse and exciting organisation. Our ways of working are an excellent alternative to working in practice whilst still offering personal growth and job satisfaction. Come and join our supportive, inclusive and well-respected team.

The University of Bristol is a top 10 UK university and 61st in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023).

Bristol is a great place to live and work; the University offers some great Staff Benefits too.

Benefits of working for the University include:

• 32 days of annual leave per year (plus bank holidays)
• Automatic entry to an extremely generous pension scheme, with significant employer contributions
• Hybrid working environment
• Inclusive culture, valuing the diversity of thought, beliefs and background

Additional information

For informal queries about the role, please contact Clare Smith, clare.smith@bristol.ac.uk

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