Senior Lawyer – Commercial – University (Hybrid)

Overview

As a UK-qualified solicitor or barrister in the university’s in-house Legal team, you will draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial contracts while ensuring regulatory compliance. You’ll advise senior leaders, lead contentious matters, and represent the University to regulators and courts. The role connects you with senior academics, professional services and governance bodies to help achieve the university’s strategic objectives. This is a high-impact position in a respected team with exposure to major projects and cross‑functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing, amending and negotiating complex contracts (goods/services, IT/SaaS, student, placement, collaborations)
• Advising senior leaders on regulatory compliance and governance requirements
• Leading management of contentious legal matters and developing litigation strategy
• Representing the University with regulators, courts, tribunals and external counsel
• Ensuring compliance with higher education frameworks and data protection requirements
• Collaborating with senior leadership, academics and professional services to meet strategic objectives

Key requirements

• UK qualified Solicitor or Barrister
• 5+ years PQE
• Experience in one or more of: consumer rights, IP, employment, property, construction, litigation, data protection, corporate, finance/banking
• Desirable: HE sector or public sector experience
• Willingness to attend office in Surrey on a hybrid basis (2 days/week)
• NB: Sponsorship not available

• collaborative mindset
• stakeholder management
• ability to work autonomously
• IT contracts (including SaaS and licences)
• contract drafting and negotiation
• data protection compliance

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