Legal Counsel

Location: South West, Gloucestershire, Rosehill - Hybrid

Job Profile: Finance and Corporate Services - Legal Governance

Contract Type: Full Time

About UCAS: UCAS is at the heart of connecting people to higher education. UCAS is the world’s leading shared admissions service for higher education. We provide application services for UK universities and colleges as well as delivering a wide range of research, consultancy and advisory services to schools, colleges, careers services, professional bodies and employers. We’re a successful and fast-growing organisation, which helps hundreds of thousands of people every year. We're committed to delivering a first-class service to all of our customers — they're at the heart of everything we do.

Business Unit Description: Our Finance and Corporate Services business unit is a fusion of multiple functions — financial planning and accounting, facilities and building management, procurement, corporate governance and performance, legal and compliance. The Finance Team also defines UCAS' financial strategy.

About the Role: To support in the provision of timely, outcomes focused and commercially astute legal advice with a focus on contracts, company, intellectual property and procurement, to support the charity and its trading subsidiary, UCAS Media. Taking a risk-based approach to legal advice, you will work with Senior Legal Counsel and Governance teams to ensure legal advice is robust and pragmatic.

Key Accountabilities:

• Identifying legal risks within the company and advising on appropriate ways to manage and mitigate such risks that are relevant and proportionate to UCAS and its activities.
• Dealing with the preparation, negotiation, drafting, revision, and finalisation of various contract documents including Terms of Service and a range of terms and conditions to support business activities.
• Updating/upkeeping effectively completed legal agreements/advice and legal precedents.
• Maintaining our Legal and Regulatory Register, including keeping up to date with legislative changes which may impact on UCAS’ business in terms of compliance.

Skills, Qualifications, and Experience:

• You will be a qualified solicitor or legal executive with a proven track record of drafting and advising on commercial contracts and procurement.
• You will have experience of identifying and managing legal risk across a diverse legal portfolio utilizing a risk based approach to delivering pragmatic advice and guidance.
• Ideally you will have experience in an in-house environment.
• Strong technical skills and attention to detail particularly in contractual matters is essential.
• You will be a team player who works collaboratively with a positive and proactive approach which is outcomes focused.
• You will need to have a can-do attitude as well as a willingness to work flexibly not only with your subject matter, but also working with colleagues of differing skills and experience.
• You must be approachable and be able to present your legal advice in a plain and concise manner.

Package:

• Salary - up to £50,000
• Purpose-driven work in a charity-led organisation connecting people to education and opportunity.
• Internal training, mentoring, and access to industry-recognised certifications through our development academies.
• Hybrid working model built on trust and flexibility, with a 35-hour week and flexible contracts.
• 30 days annual leave, 3 concessionary days over Christmas, bank holidays, and the option to purchase additional leave.
• Everyday wellbeing support through Perkbox, offering discounts and wellness tools.
• Onsite facilities including a subsidised gym, café, and free parking at our Cheltenham office.
• Inclusive culture supported by employee networks, wellbeing champions, and Mental Health First Aiders.
• Recognition and reward through our quarterly employee scheme and an ex-gratia bonus for going above and beyond.

Studies have shown that some groups of people are less likely to apply to a role unless they tick every box. At UCAS we recognise that talent comes in various forms and we are committed to delivering a fair and equitable recruitment process where applicants have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their skills. So, if you think you have what it takes, but don't necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still apply.

If you have any questions and would like to find out more about the role before applying please email the Talent Acquisition team via careers@ucas.ac.uk and one of us will be in touch.