Senior Legal Counsel

We have vacancies in the following sectors

If you want to be part delivering world class eye health services and you share our values: excellence, equity, and kindness, then we would love to hear from you!

Site: City Road Town, London
Salary: £82,462 – £93,773 per year inclusive of HCAS
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 12/01/2025 23:59

Moorfields – A global leader in Ophthalmology

We are Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Founded in 1804, Moorfields Eye Hospital is a world-class centre of excellence for eye health services, ophthalmic research, and education.

With more than 2,300 staff we are proud to be supported by one of the most diverse workforces in the NHS. Every year we treat more than 700,000 patients at City Road in central London and at our 22 satellites sites, and, in partnership with the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre we lead one of the most impactful ophthalmic research programmes in the world.

This is an exciting time to join Moorfields. The pandemic fast-tracked a huge amount of innovation which is changing the way we work and deliver care. Construction is under way on Oriel, our new eye care, research, and education centre being built in Camden.

Job overview

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of eye health services in the UK. We have a reputation, developed over two centuries, for providing the highest quality of ophthalmic care.

Moorfields’ Clinical Research Facility is the largest ophthalmic experimental medicine and early phase facility in the world, with an international reputation of excellence for ophthalmic research.

We are seeking an accomplished Senior Legal Counsel to join our legal services team on a permanent basis. You will be a UK qualified solicitor with extensive post-qualification experience in negotiating/drafting complex commercial contracts, a strong grasp of government framework contracts, public procurement law, and experience or strong interest in the healthcare sector.

Main duties of the job

1. Function as a legal business partner with nominated business functions, providing commercial and strategic business advice.
2. Deputise for the General Counsel and support the General Counsel in the development of the legal services team.
3. Support the R&D department by reviewing and/or drafting UK and international collaboration agreements, MoUs, HoTs and sub-award agreements.
4. Provide support to the Trust’s Board on key areas, including commercial, IP, regulatory, and medical law.
5. Provide support to Trust colleagues on a wide range of legal matters, including employment relations and clinical negligence claims.

Working for our organisation

At Moorfields, we provide more than just an excellent career and great colleagues to work with. We also offer:

• Salary including High-Cost Area Supplement
• Opportunity to join the NHS Pension Scheme
• Free 24/7 independent counselling service
• Learning and development opportunities
• Easy and quick transport links
• A range of attractive benefits and discounts
• Access to Blue Light Card and other NHS Discount Schemes
• Free Pilates classes
• Full support and training to develop your skills
• Flexible working friendly organisation

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Provide legal advice to the Trust’s CEO and directors on key areas, including commercial, intellectual property, regulatory, and medical law.
2. Act as deputy for the General Counsel, including planning of legal budgets and approval of invoices.
3. Support the development of the legal services team, including drafting key templates and developing new business practices.
4. Support the development and review of the Trust’s policies.
5. Provide a central point of contact for key business areas, advising on legal and regulatory matters.
6. Work with the Trust’s third-party legal suppliers to ensure best value for money advice within budget.
7. Provide support to the Research & Development department including contract review and advising on implications relating to research governance.
8. Provide legal advice in relation to the establishment of contracts for projects as required.
9. Provide advice to clinical teams and staff as needed.
10. Provide appropriate training support to the Trust on legal and regulatory issues.
11. Keep up to date with new developments in the law affecting the Trust.

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

• Law degree or equivalent

Experience

• Substantial post-qualification experience, ideally in the health, research or life sciences sector
• Experience of contractual and commercial agreements
• Experience of working with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• Experience of working with Research & Development contracts and collaborations
• Proven work experience of healthcare law

Knowledge

• Solid working knowledge of the health sector
• Solid working knowledge of commercial, intellectual property and data protection law
• Solid understanding of corporate governance
• Good working knowledge of employment law

Skills/abilities

• Excellent communication skills
• Capability to interact with senior members of the Trust with authority
• Provide pragmatic, legally acceptable practical solutions
• Calm logical approach with the ability to work under pressure
• Good problem solving and analytical skills

Due to the nature of this position, employment is subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK, completion of a satisfactory DBS disclosure and two references. We do not offer visa sponsorship for roles unless clearly stated in our adverts.

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of our organisational culture. We encourage applications from under-represented candidates.

Moorfields is a flexible working friendly organisation, and we are committed to helping our employees achieve a work-life balance. Every employee has the right to request to work flexibly.

If we receive sufficient applications, we will close this ad prior to the closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying or would like an accessible version of any recruitment documents, please contact the recruitment team at

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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