Director of Legal Services and General Counsel

At Loughborough University, we’re proud of our reputation for excellence in research, teaching, innovation, and sport, but it’s our people who make this possible. As part of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, our Legal Services team plays a vital role in enabling that success. We work in partnership with colleagues across the University, from our academic schools and professional services to key industrial collaborators, helping to deliver major corporate projects, support world-class sport, and manage our estate and infrastructure across both campuses. 

We’re now looking for an experienced and forward-thinking lawyer to lead our Legal Services team as Director of Legal Services and General Counsel. This is a pivotal leadership role, providing strategic legal guidance to the University’s senior management and governing body, and ensuring we continue to thrive in an increasingly complex and regulated environment. Your work will help protect and support the interests of both staff and students, ensuring that our community can achieve its full potential. 

Legal Services is a trusted and respected part of the University’s professional services. We’re seeking someone who can build on this reputation, strengthening our partnerships across the University and ensuring that our advice and support continue to be insightful, proactive, and solutions-focused. 

In this role, you will: 

• Lead and develop the Legal Services team to provide strategic, commercial, and high-quality legal support aligned with the University’s ambitions. 

• Advise senior leaders and governance bodies on complex legal matters and risk management, supporting confident decision-making that benefits staff and students alike. 

• Promote a strong culture of compliance, integrity, and ethical decision-making across the University. 

• Represent Legal Services on key University committees and projects, collaborating closely with senior colleagues, external partners, and the wider University community. 

• Drive service improvement and innovation, manage budgets effectively, and champion professional development within the team and across the University. 

About you 

We’re looking for someone who combines legal expertise with strong leadership and collaboration skills. You will bring: 

• A robust legal background and proven leadership experience in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment. 

• Strategic insight, commercial awareness, and the ability to translate legal advice into practical, forward-looking solutions. 

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage and influence at all levels. 

• Professional legal qualifications and a commitment to ongoing development. 

• A personal commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Experience within Higher Education or a similarly regulated sector would be an advantage. 

Why Loughborough? 

Loughborough offers a dynamic, supportive, and welcoming environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. You’ll join a University recognised for its strong sense of community, its commitment to staff and student wellbeing, and its dedication to helping colleagues develop and succeed. 

We’re proud of our inclusive culture and we actively welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. 

For informal enquiries please contact Megan Cox, M.Cox@lboro.ac.uk, Recruitment and Resourcing Manager. 

For more information, please refer to the Candidate Pack. 

Closing date for applications: Sunday 16th November 2025 

Interview date: Week commencing 8th December 2025 

Our Benefits 

At Loughborough, our benefits are designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community.  Examples of our benefits include: 

Time off - generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our annual leave purchase scheme.   

Where you work - access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green spaces, across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. 

Financial Wellbeing - competitive salary, two well-established pension schemes and everyday savings opportunities. 

Support for you and your family - on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options, and a range of family friendly policies. 

Health and Wellbeing - discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support. 

Travel and sustainability - access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, on-campus parking, as well as variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting.  

Discover more about the full range of rewards and benefits at Loughborough University.