Head of Legal Services

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join and lead a busy and successful in-house legal team. The Legal Team is part of the Division of General Counsel, Governance & Compliance (GCGC), within the University’s Professional Services Team.

The work of the Legal Team is fast-paced, often reactive and integral to delivering the University’s policy and operational priorities. The legal issues are often complex and sensitive and span a variety of topics, cover the full range of legal and regulatory issues facing the University including academic partnerships, student and staff complaints and disciplinary matters, freedom of speech and academic freedom, employment, regulatory compliance, commercial contracts, intellectual property, real estate, construction projects and litigation.

The Head of Legal will ensure and manage the provision of high-quality legal services to the University and work collaboratively with senior University leaders and colleagues across Faculties and Professional Services to deliver solutions-based advice which is centred on a sound assessment of legal risk.

You will be expected to enhance the legal services function and provide effective management of the Legal Team with a focus on increasing impact and teamworking to support the delivery of Sussex 2035, Creating Progressive Futures, the University’s long term strategy.

About you

You will be a senior lawyer with significant experience gained in the public or private sector who has worked as in house counsel. You will have experience of leading a legal team and driving functional improvement. You will combine exemplary technical legal analytical skills with the ability to make decisions in the face of ambiguity and imperfect information. You will thrive in a dynamic environment helping the University adapt to a fast changing legal and regulatory environment.

About our Division

Please find further information regarding the division at General Counsel, Governance and Compliance: University of Sussex.

Why work here

Find out more about our reward and benefits package.

Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion.

Further Key Information

Please contact Laila El Baradei on l.elbaradei@sussex.ac.uk for informal enquiries.

To apply, applicants should complete the Professional Services Application form and submit a covering letter of no more than two sides of A4 explaining how they meet the Person Specification and Essential Criteria, and where possible, the Desirable Criteria.

For full details and how to apply, click the 'Apply' button above.

The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Eligibility

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK. 

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