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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the bank's lending business by drafting and negotiating loan agreements.
- Company: Join a prestigious multinational bank with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Remote working, exposure to high-value transactions, and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Work on complex lending transactions in a dynamic international environment.
- Qualifications: UK-qualified solicitor with 4-8 years PQE and banking & finance law experience.
- Other info: Ideal for lawyers looking to transition in-house or gain international exposure.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Legal Counsel
University of Derby
Salary: £50,832 – £63,540 per annum (with scope for progression)
Location: Derby (Hybrid working: 3 days on campus, 2 days from home)
Contract: Permanent, 37 hours per week
About the Opportunity
Are you a commercially minded solicitor looking to make the move into a dynamic in-house environment? The University of Derby is seeking a Legal Counsel to join our growing legal team during an exciting period of transformation and development.
This is an excellent opportunity for Commercial Solicitor who thrives on variety, autonomy, and making a real impact. You\’ll work on high-profile matters with strategic partners, providing pragmatic legal advice across a broad spectrum of commercial contracts, procurement, grant agreements, and collaboration agreements.
You will engage directly with our Executive and Leadership Team and be empowered to run with projects and genuinely make the role your own. With structured career development, annual appraisals, and clear progression opportunities, this role offers the perfect platform to build a rewarding in-house career.
What You\’ll Be Doing
As Legal Counsel, you\’ll provide timely, high-quality legal advice across a diverse range of matters, including:
- Commercial Contracts – Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a broad range of commercial contracts including grant agreements, licences, consultancy agreements
- Procurement – Negotiate supply and purchase agreements, ensuring best value for the University and managing legal risk, maintaining precedent agreements, and coordinating external advisors when needed
- Data Protection & Intellectual Property – Advise on data protection and intellectual property matters with the support of the Senior Legal Counsel
You’ll be part of a supportive, collaborative team that values your input and expertise, with no time recording requirements, just great work and genuine autonomy.
About You
We\’re looking for someone who is lively, personable, and proactive, a qualified solicitor or barrister in England and Wales with demonstrable commercial law experience. You\’ll understand and embrace our university values: being Bold, valuing People, staying Future-focused, and delivering Brilliance.
Essential Requirements
- Qualified solicitor or barrister in England and Wales
- Experience practising commercial law and contracting
- Strong communication, organisational, and presentation skills
- Ability to work autonomously and manage urgent deadlines
- Excellent IT skills and experience with administrative systems
- Knowledge of contract law and commercial practice
Why Join Us?
The University of Derby is a modern, ambitious institution recognised by the Times Higher Education as one of the top 250 young universities in the world. We\’ve achieved Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023, and we\’re financially strong with a clear vision for the future.
Our 2,000 staff members tell us they love what they do: 84% find their work interesting, 82% enjoy their work, and 81% feel they make a positive difference. We\’re committed to creating an inclusive, supportive environment where you can build a rewarding career with genuine opportunities for growth.
Exceptional Benefits
- Generous leave: 42 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days
- Outstanding pension: 23% employer contribution (Local Government Pension Scheme)
- Holiday Purchase Scheme for additional flexibility
- Wellbeing support: Employee Assistance Programme, family-friendly policies, generous sick pay
- Professional development: Financial support for accredited learning, structured career progression
- Staff discounts: High street retailers, discounted on-site gym, Cycle to Work scheme
- Tuition fee support for partners and children
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Legal Counsel employer: Venn Group
Contact Detail:
Venn Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the banking and finance sector. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to potential employers. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their recent deals and challenges in the banking sector. This will help us tailor our responses and show that we’re genuinely interested in the role. Plus, it’ll give us some great talking points!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your experience with LMA documentation and how it relates to the role. The more comfortable we are discussing our skills, the better we’ll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping us top of mind. It shows our enthusiasm for the position and gives us another chance to reiterate why we’re the perfect fit for the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in banking and finance law. We want to see your hands-on experience with LMA documentation and any relevant roles you've had, so don’t hold back!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention your experience with loans and how you can support the bank's lending business.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since strong communication skills are key for this role, make sure your application reflects that. Use clear and concise language, and don’t forget to demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively with teams.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on our radar quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Venn Group
✨Know Your LMA Documentation
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of LMA-based facility agreements. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your experience where you've drafted or negotiated these documents, as this will show your expertise and confidence in the area.
✨Understand the Banking Landscape
Familiarise yourself with current trends in banking and finance law, especially regarding syndicated and bilateral loans. This will not only help you answer questions but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the sector and the role.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Skills
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, think of examples that highlight your ability to collaborate effectively. Prepare to discuss how you've worked with front-office, credit, and risk teams in the past to achieve successful outcomes.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about the bank's lending business and their approach to cross-border transactions. This shows you're engaged and serious about the opportunity, plus it gives you valuable information to assess if it's the right fit for you.
