Deputy Secretary and General Legal Counsel

Vacancy terms: Full-time, fixed term contract for 18 months

About the role

As Deputy Secretary & University General Legal Counsel, you will take on a highly influential senior leadership role at the heart of University of Leicester, leading Governance Services, Legal Services, Information Assurance Services and Records Management. You will provide authoritative strategic legal advice to University Council, Executive Board and other senior decision-making bodies, while deputising for the Registrar & Secretary on governance, compliance, regulation and assurance. You will also act as the University’s Senior Information Risk Owner for its work with the NHS and provide leadership across a team of professional specialists.

You will ensure the University maintains effective governance and meets its statutory and regulatory obligations, including requirements of the Office for Students. With institutional responsibility for important policy areas including freedom of speech, student terms and conditions, complaints, Prevent and Protect legislation, export controls, national security and data protection, you will help the University respond confidently to a changing regulatory environment. This is a particularly significant remit within an institution where Council is the supreme governing body and has responsibility for ensuring legal obligations are met. The University is committed to securing freedom of speech within the law and recognises its importance to advancing ideas, encouraging vigorous debate and challenging conventional wisdom.

About you

You will be a professionally qualified legal practitioner with significant experience within higher education or a comparable consumer or public sector environment. You will have experience of providing strategic legal advice to governing bodies and senior executives, alongside a proven track record of successfully leading multiple teams across complex areas. Your understanding of the UK higher education regulatory environment, or your ability and willingness to develop this knowledge, will be complemented by experience of developing and reviewing organisation-wide strategies, policies, plans and codes of practice.

 An accomplished strategic thinker and communicator, you will have the credibility and confidence to operate effectively at Board level, translating complex legal and regulatory matters into clear organisational risks and priorities. You will combine excellent analytical, writing, organisational and project management skills with an outcomes-focused approach to service delivery and operational excellence. You will also demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development, for yourself and others, and behaviours that reflect the University of Leicester values of being Inclusive, Inspiring and Impactful.

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