University Lawyer

Michael Page

  • Cardiff
  • £51,752 per year
  • Permanent
  • Part-time
  • 15 days ago
  • Apply easily
This role will be responsible for the provision of specialist legal advice to the University. The specialist areas covered by legal services include, commercial contracts, charity law, civil litigation, employment, intellectual property, property law (estates) and terms and conditions.Core Legal Duties:
  • Provide high-quality legal advice with institution-wide impact, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory changes.
  • Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of legal documents including commercial contracts, academic collaborations, consultancy agreements, construction contracts, tenancy/licence agreements, and contractor arrangements.
  • Advise on intellectual property matters (e.g. copyright, trademarks, domain names), including preliminary guidance and formal registrations.
  • Support student appeals and complaints from a legal perspective.
  • Lead legal compliance projects, manage project teams, and develop strategies to mitigate legal risks.
  • Investigate complex legal issues, prepare recommendation reports, and ensure confidentiality and legality.
  • Develop and improve legal processes and services across the University.
Strategic & Collaborative Duties:
  • Advise senior staff on legal risks and contribute to policy development.
  • Build relationships with internal departments and external legal bodies.
  • Create and lead working groups to achieve institutional objectives.
  • Design and deliver legal training tailored to varied audiences.
Professional Development & General Duties:
  • Stay updated on legal and sector changes through CPD.
  • Maintain confidentiality and adhere to University policies.
  • Perform additional duties aligned with the role as needed.
Opportunity to be a part of a new legal department in a leading universityThis role offers meaningful impact combined with work life balanceEssential Qualifications:
  • Qualified solicitor or barrister in England and Wales.
Legal Expertise:
  • Significant post-qualification experience in Commercial, Civil Litigation, Employment, or Public/Regulatory Law.
  • Strong legal skills: drafting, research, negotiation, advocacy, and interviewing.
  • Solid understanding of regulated environments and legal compliance.
Communication & Collaboration:
  • Skilled in influencing strategic decisions and building relationships across all levels.
  • Able to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and professionally.
  • Committed to service improvement and responsive to feedback.
  • Works collaboratively and contributes to long-term development through networking.
Planning & Problem Solving:
  • Creative and practical problem solver with strong research and analytical skills.
  • Up-to-date knowledge of legal developments in relevant disciplines.
  • Capable of managing projects and leading short-term teams.
  • Handles high-volume, deadline-driven workloads while maintaining client focus.
Desirable Attributes:
  • Line management experience, including staff development and welfare oversight.
  • Experience in Higher Education or HE governance.
  • Broad legal knowledge, including Charity Law.
  • Willingness to learn Welsh (written and oral).
Are you a Solicitor or Barrister looking to join a small, busy, and supportive team in an organisation at the forefront of changing lives?Cardiff University is a Russell Group university delivering excellent teaching and research, supporting students and society to thrive. Our new strategy - 'Together, We Can' - is ambitious about our impact and place in Wales and the world and there is a range of exciting new developments underway including Cardiff University Kazakhstan.If you are a practising lawyer who values working in a dynamic in-house environment building great relationships with stakeholders, we would like to hear from you.These open-ended posts can be offered on a blended working basis, with compressed hours or part-time (minimum of 0.8 FTE) subject to agreement. This means that as well as spending time working on campus for team or USO meetings or other matters requiring it (approximately two days per month, variable) you can also choose to spend some time working from another location, e.g. your home. The University is committed to offering this flexibility, wherever the role and business need allows, supporting work-life balance.Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 37 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) pro-rata for part-time hours, local pension scheme, blended working (meaning you may be able to work from home for some of your time, depending on business needs), a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments up the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting place to work - in a diverse and vibrant capital city - and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

Michael Page