At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide high-quality legal advice and support across diverse legal matters at the British Museum.
- Company: Join the iconic British Museum, a leading cultural institution in London.
- Benefits: Enjoy free exhibition access, generous leave, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid working available, with opportunities for professional development and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working on exciting legal challenges in a historic setting.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with experience in UK law and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 49829 - 49829 £ per year.
The British Museum is seeking a talented Legal Counsel to join its Legal Services & Information Governance team. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified solicitor or barrister to provide high-quality in-house legal advice across a diverse range of legal and commercial matters. Working closely with the General Counsel and wider legal team, you will support the Museum's operations, strategic objectives and compliance obligations while helping to protect one of the world's leading cultural institutions.
If you have experience practicing in the UK and are looking for a varied, high-impact legal role, we welcome your application!
About you
- A qualified solicitor or barrister admitted to practice in England and Wales.
- Experienced in providing legal advice either in-house or in private practice.
- Able to demonstrate strong knowledge and practical experience of relevant areas of UK law and legal practice. Knowledge and experience of the public and/or charitable sector is advantageous.
- Skilled at assessing legal and commercial risk and providing clear, pragmatic advice.
- An excellent communicator, capable of explaining complex legal matters to non-legal audiences.
- Able to manage a varied workload and work effectively to competing priorities and deadlines.
- A collaborative team player with strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
Key areas of responsibility
- Provide high-quality, practical and commercially focused legal advice across the organisation, including guidance on matters of policy, compliance, governance and conflict of interest.
- Assist with commercial negotiations and contract drafting to secure effective outcomes and value for money.
- Manage relationships with external legal advisers and counsel where required.
- Maintain and develop standard contract templates and legal documentation.
- Advise on legal risk and support effective organisational decision-making.
- Help ensure compliance with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.
- Work closely with colleagues across Legal Services, Information Governance and Rights teams.
- Deliver legal training and guidance to internal stakeholders.
- Monitor legal developments and recommend updates to policies, procedures and practices as required.
Benefits
At the British Museum, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do and have designed a benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary. Our full list of benefits can be found here, but we’ve outlined some highlights below:
- Free exhibition entry for you and guests, exclusive private views, ICOM and reciprocal museum access.
- Civil Service Pension Scheme defined benefit with 28.97% employer contribution.
- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days (and +5 days after 10 years).
- Learning and development through courses, mentoring and Athena as well as support for professional qualifications.
- Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7 for counselling, wellbeing support and more.
Values
Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered:
- Care Deeply
- Embrace the Unknown
- Spark Curiosity
- Value Many Voices
These are a core part of how we recruit. Throughout the application, interview and selection process, we look for examples of how candidates demonstrate these behaviours in their own work and experiences. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with our values and reflect them in your application.
Additional information
If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to bmrecruit@britishmuseum.org.
Right to Work: The British Museum holds a Skilled Worker sponsor licence. Applicants are responsible for determining whether the advertised salary and role meet current UKVI sponsorship requirements and for ensuring they have, or can obtain, the appropriate right to work in the UK. The Museum cannot provide immigration advice, and eligibility should be checked before submitting an application.
The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.
Legal Counsel employer: British Museum
The British Museum is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Bloomsbury, London. With a strong commitment to employee development and a hybrid working model, staff enjoy a collaborative culture that fosters innovation and excellence in facilities management. Joining our team means being part of a prestigious institution that values your contributions and provides opportunities for meaningful career growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like British Museum.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that British Museum does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like British Museum.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with British Museum and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at British Museum
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Legal Counsel role at British Museum. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at British Museum.
