In-house Legal Specialist

Regent College London is seeking an experienced and motivated In-House Legal Specialist to join our team. The successful candidate will provide legal support across a wide range of areas, including academic affairs, student services, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, and contract law. The role involves working closely with the Global CEO, CEO, Executive leadership team, academic staff, and administrative teams to ensure that Regent College London as an institution operates within the boundaries of the law while upholding its commitment to academic excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Legal Advice & Guidance: Provide legal advice to Global CEO, CEO, executive leadership management, departments, and academic staff on various matters, including regulatory compliance, student issues, faculty contracts, and policies.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with UK higher education legislation, including the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, Consumer Protection Law, and Data Protection (GDPR), as well as sector-specific regulations from bodies such as OfS (Office for Students).
• Contract Drafting & Negotiation: Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and agreements related to partnerships, collaborations, research funding, consultancy agreements, and student services, ensuring that terms protect the institution’s interests.
• Dispute Resolution: Advise on student disputes, academic misconduct, complaints, and disciplinary matters. Represent the institution in any legal disputes, and collaborate with external counsel where necessary.
• Intellectual Property: Advise on intellectual property (IP) matters related to research, patents, copyrights, and licensing agreements, ensuring proper protection of the institution's innovations and research.
• Academic Affairs & Governance: Advise on academic governance, including issues related to accreditation, academic policies, and compliance with UK Higher Education regulatory bodies.
• Risk Management: Assist in identifying and mitigating legal risks associated with the institution’s operations, including regulatory risks, financial risks, and reputational risks.
• Training & Awareness: Provide legal training and awareness sessions to staff and faculty on various topics, including intellectual property, data protection, contract management, and regulatory compliance.
• Policies & Procedures: Assist in developing, updating, and ensuring that institutional policies, procedures, and codes of conduct are in line with the law and best practices for higher education.
• Legal Research: Conduct ongoing research on developments in the law related to higher education, including changes to UK legislation, case law, and sector-specific regulations.

Key Qualifications:

• Qualified Solicitor (or Chartered Legal Executive) in the UK with 3 to 5 years of post-qualification experience, preferably in an education environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK higher education law, including regulations set by OfS, HEFCE, UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration), Student Protection Plans, and the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
• Experience in advising on regulatory compliance, intellectual property, employment law, and contractual matters within a higher education context.
• Strong understanding of GDPR and other data protection legislation, and the ability to advise on compliance in an academic and administrative setting.
• Familiarity with academic governance, accreditation processes, and the structure of higher education institutions.
• Proven experience in dispute resolution, including handling complaints, academic misconduct, and regulatory investigations.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to advise stakeholders on complex legal issues in a clear and accessible manner.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple legal matters efficiently.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in-house within a higher education institution or a public sector body.
• Expertise in advising on student law, including student contracts, complaints, and disciplinary procedures.
• Familiarity with intellectual property issues in the research and academic context.
• Experience in handling public procurement, funding agreements, and sector-specific funding regulations.
• Knowledge of international education law and cross-border partnerships in the context of higher education.

Working Conditions:

• Full-time position with competitive salary and benefits.
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic and supportive higher education environment.
• Hybrid working arrangements, with some flexibility depending on the business needs.
• Potential for professional development and networking opportunities within the higher education sector.