Legal Counsel

Overview

As Legal Counsel at UCL, you will provide pragmatic, commercially astute legal advice to support the university’s ambitions. You will work within the Legal Services team, spanning commercial, governance, IP, property, employment, and other university matters, with opportunities to lead and deputise for Senior Legal Counsel. The role emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration, project management, and governance quality, helping UCL navigate complex regulatory and strategic challenges. This is a hands-on position with room to grow and shape a wide portfolio through impactful, student- and mission-centered work.

Pay / Benefits

• up to 41 days’ annual leave
• USS pension scheme
• hybrid and flexible working
• professional development and mentoring
• staff discounts
• season ticket loans

Responsibilities

• Act as an active member of Legal Services and deputise for Senior Legal Counsel when required
• Line-manage junior colleagues (paralegals/trainees) and support their development
• Lead or contribute to cross-disciplinary teams on institutional projects with oversight on delegation and risk
• Improve department efficiency through knowledge sharing and prudent use of external counsel
• Provide flexible, high-quality legal support across a wide portfolio (commercial, governance, employment, IP, disputes, property, research, procurement compliance, international)
• Deliver solutions-focused, commercially aware advice aligned with UCL’s Strategic Plan and brief external counsel where value is added
• Champion governance quality and prepare briefing papers for senior stakeholders
• Identify legal risks early and implement practical mitigations while staying updated on relevant laws
• Project-manage matters to timely conclusions
• Build trusted partnerships across the Office of the General Counsel, UCL, and the wider group

Key requirements

• Qualified solicitor or barrister, with current or eligible practising certificate (SRA or Bar Standards Board) or Registered Foreign Lawyer status
• Strong knowledge of general commercial and university legal issues, including drafting/negotiation of complex agreements and pragmatic advisory capability
• Proven track record briefing and influencing at management level and building stakeholder relationships
• Experience contributing to legal project management on significant cross-disciplinary projects
• Confidence in tackling new or unfamiliar legal issues with sound judgment and strong analytical skills
• Genuine commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Desirable: 6+ years PQE; subject-matter focus in IP, IT, research, charities, governance, corporate structuring or philanthropy; appreciation of higher education and academic life
• Desirable: empathy with academic life even without sector experience

• stakeholder management
• influence at senior levels
• problem solving
• commercial contracting
• IP and research agreements
• governance and regulatory compliance

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