Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide specialist legal advice and manage compliance across various legal areas.
- Company: Join Cardiff University, a leading institution dedicated to impactful teaching and research.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 37 days annual leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making a difference in education and society.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified solicitor or barrister with significant legal experience.
- Other info: Opportunity for blended working and professional development in a vibrant city.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Job Description
This role will be responsible for the provision of specialist legal advice to the University. The specialist areas covered by legal services include, commercial contracts, charity law, civil litigation, employment, intellectual property, property law (estates) and terms and conditions.
Client Details
Are you a Solicitor or Barrister looking to join a small, busy, and supportive team in an organisation at the forefront of changing lives?
Cardiff University is a Russell Group university delivering excellent teaching and research, supporting students and society to thrive. Our new strategy – 'Together, We Can' – is ambitious about our impact and place in Wales and the world and there is a range of exciting new developments underway including Cardiff University Kazakhstan.
If you are a practising lawyer who values working in a dynamic in-house environment building great relationships with stakeholders, we would like to hear from you.
Description
Core Legal Duties:
- Provide high-quality legal advice with institution-wide impact, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory changes.
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of legal documents including commercial contracts, academic collaborations, consultancy agreements, construction contracts, tenancy/licence agreements, and contractor arrangements.
- Advise on intellectual property matters (e.g. copyright, trademarks, domain names), including preliminary guidance and formal registrations.
- Support student appeals and complaints from a legal perspective.
- Lead legal compliance projects, manage project teams, and develop strategies to mitigate legal risks.
- Investigate complex legal issues, prepare recommendation reports, and ensure confidentiality and legality.
- Develop and improve legal processes and services across the University.
Strategic & Collaborative Duties:
- Advise senior staff on legal risks and contribute to policy development.
- Build relationships with internal departments and external legal bodies.
- Create and lead working groups to achieve institutional objectives.
- Design and deliver legal training tailored to varied audiences.
Professional Development & General Duties:
- Stay updated on legal and sector changes through CPD.
- Maintain confidentiality and adhere to University policies.
- Perform additional duties aligned with the role as needed.
Profile
Essential Qualifications:
- Qualified solicitor or barrister in England and Wales.
Legal Expertise:
- Significant post-qualification experience in Commercial, Civil Litigation, Employment, or Public/Regulatory Law.
- Strong legal skills: drafting, research, negotiation, advocacy, and interviewing.
- Solid understanding of regulated environments and legal compliance.
Communication & Collaboration:
- Skilled in influencing strategic decisions and building relationships across all levels.
- Able to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and professionally.
- Committed to service improvement and responsive to feedback.
- Works collaboratively and contributes to long-term development through networking.
Planning & Problem Solving:
- Creative and practical problem solver with strong research and analytical skills.
- Up-to-date knowledge of legal developments in relevant disciplines.
- Capable of managing projects and leading short-term teams.
- Handles high-volume, deadline-driven workloads while maintaining client focus.
Desirable Attributes:
- Line management experience, including staff development and welfare oversight.
- Experience in Higher Education or HE governance.
- Broad legal knowledge, including Charity Law.
- Willingness to learn Welsh (written and oral).
Job Offer
These open-ended posts can be offered on a blended working basis, with compressed hours or part-time (minimum of 0.8 FTE) subject to agreement. This means that as well as spending time working on campus for team or USO meetings or other matters requiring it (approximately two days per month, variable) you can also choose to spend some time working from another location, e.g. your home. The University is committed to offering this flexibility, wherever the role and business need allows, supporting work-life balance.
Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 37 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) pro-rata for part-time hours, local pension scheme, blended working (meaning you may be able to work from home for some of your time, depending on business needs), a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments up the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting place to work – in a diverse and vibrant capital city – and is a proud Living Wage supporter.
University Lawyer employer: Michael Page Legal
Contact Detail:
Michael Page Legal Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land University Lawyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Cardiff University's legal framework and recent developments in their policies. Understanding their strategic goals, especially the 'Together, We Can' initiative, will help you align your expertise with their needs.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Cardiff University, particularly those in legal roles. This can provide you with insider knowledge about the team dynamics and expectations, which can be invaluable during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific legal challenges faced by universities today, such as compliance with charity law and intellectual property issues. Demonstrating your awareness of these topics will show your commitment and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Consider brushing up on your Welsh language skills, even if it's just basic phrases. Showing a willingness to learn Welsh can set you apart and demonstrate your commitment to integrating into the university's culture.
We think you need these skills to ace University Lawyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your qualifications as a solicitor or barrister, focusing on your post-qualification experience in relevant areas such as commercial law, civil litigation, and employment law. Use specific examples to demonstrate your legal skills and achievements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role at Cardiff University and how your experience aligns with their needs. Mention your ability to provide high-quality legal advice and your commitment to service improvement, as well as your interest in working collaboratively within a dynamic team.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, emphasise any experience you have in higher education or governance, as well as your familiarity with legal compliance and regulatory environments. This will show that you understand the unique challenges faced by universities.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since the role requires clear communication of complex legal concepts, include examples of how you've successfully influenced strategic decisions or built relationships with stakeholders. This will demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively across various levels.
How to prepare for a job interview at Michael Page Legal
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you're well-versed in the specific areas of law mentioned in the job description, such as commercial contracts and intellectual property. Brush up on recent legal developments that could impact the university sector.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a University Lawyer, you'll need to explain complex legal concepts clearly. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated legal advice to non-legal stakeholders in the past.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Spirit
Highlight your experience in building relationships with various departments and external bodies. Be ready to discuss how you’ve worked in teams to achieve common goals or led projects that required collaboration.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle legal issues. Think of scenarios where you've had to navigate complex legal challenges and be prepared to discuss your approach and outcomes.
