Senior Legal Counsel (Leicester, GB, LE1 9BH)

De Montfort University (DMU) is an ambitious, globally-minded institution with a relentless focus on delivering quality teaching and learning, and a campus-wide focus on providing a sector-leading student experience. A culturally rich university with a palpable commitment to the public good, it strives to maintain a stimulating and inclusive environment where staff and students are able to thrive. DMU is a vibrant, multicultural hub of learning, creativity and innovation that never surrenders to convention. Our success is built on a fantastic student experience coupled with award-winning teaching and world-class facilities that help students develop the skills and attitudes employers demand.

As a Senior Legal Counsel at DMU, you will be part of a supportive Legal Services team and provide advice to all Faculties and Directorates of DMU. The team currently comprises the Associate Director of Legal Services and General Counsel, 3 Senior Legal Counsels and administrative support. This role will help support our legal needs for an average of 4 days (0.8FTE – 29.6 hours per week) of the week or as workload dictates. The role is on a part-time basis.

As a Senior Legal Counsel within our Legal Services team, you will:

• be an integral part of the team servicing the legal requirements of DMU;
• provide a responsive, risk-based and pragmatic legal service involving advice on a range of legal matters to DMU, protecting its interests, mitigating risk and facilitating its aims;
• have excellent communication skills and be able to effectively manage and run a heavy caseload of legal matters with minimal supervision working to tight deadlines.

The FTE salary for the role is £58,225 – £70,000 (inclusive of a market supplement of up to £2,532), depending on having relevant qualifications and industry experience. As the position is on a part-time basis the salary will be pro-rated down to reflect the hours. The role can be carried out on a hybrid basis with the expectation of being on campus 1 day per week (usually a Thursday) however there does need to be some flexibility with this as business need demands.

The ideal candidate will be a qualified solicitor or barrister with significant post-qualification commercial experience in either private practice, public sector or in-house. You will be able to communicate effectively with team members, stakeholders and external lawyers. You must have significant experience in giving responsive and pragmatic commercial advice and of drafting contracts. You will also have the ability to manage your own workload with initiative and work to tight deadlines.

Benefits include Local Government Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution and death in service benefit (subject to you contributing too) and 23 days annual leave plus concessionary days.