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Are you passionate about delivering high-quality legal advice in a dynamic and mission‑driven environment?
Join The Open University as a Legal Counsel and help shape the legal foundations at the UK’s largest university.
About the Role
This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified legal professional (2 years’ PQE upwards) to join The Open University’s in‑house legal team. Reporting to the Director of Legal Services, you’ll work alongside a team of lawyers to support the University’s research, curricular, and commercial activities. You’ll draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements, advise on legal and regulatory compliance, and manage contentious matters.
What You’ll Do
* Drafting, reviewing and negotiating legal agreements (standard form and bespoke) and other documentation relating to the supply of goods and services, consultancy, research funding, academic collaborations nationally and internationally (including validations and distance delivery) and data sharing agreements.
* Undertaking research into a variety of legal, compliance and governance issues, reporting on and facilitating the implementation of related outcomes.
* Providing advice on legally contentious matters and disputes, drafting related documents and managing outsourced litigation.
* Providing advice in relation to compliance with the requirements of the Office for Students, including conditions of registration, quality standards and student protection measures.
* Providing advice in relation to compliance with Competition and Markets Authority requirements and the University’s consumer protection duties.
* Providing advice relating to intellectual property issues (in particular copyright, trademarks and internet domain rights) arising from the activities of the University.
* Advising the University’s procurement team on legal issues relating to tenders, drafting documents relating to procurements made by the University, advising on compliance with procurement law and the University’s internal procurement regulations.
* Providing advice in relation to legal aspects of the University’s student appeals and complaints procedures.
* Other duties and responsibilities consistent with the grade and scope of the role.
Who We’re Looking For
* Qualified Solicitor or equivalent with a minimum of 2 years’ post qualification experience in a legal role, preferably in the higher education and/or charity sectors.
* Excellent written and oral skills for contract, report and letter writing and communicating with University staff, students, external legal advisers and other professionals.
* Proven ability to maintain a high‑quality work output under time pressure, the ability to prioritise workload and be flexible in response to the demands of the role.
* Proven ability to be sensitive to internal client needs and to adapt the provision of legal advice and services accordingly.
* Ability to work in a higher education environment and a commitment to the values of a modern university.
* Proactive, positive and energetic commitment to the work of the legal team and the University.
* Competence in core IT applications, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and a commitment to the use of evolving IT in a working environment.
* Experience relating to governance, compliance, policies and regulations in a university or equivalent complex regulated organisation.
* Knowledge and understanding of legislation relating to public procurement, in particular the Procurement Act 2023.
Why Join The Open University?
At The Open University, we’re proud to be pioneers in accessible education and operational excellence. This is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact across our academic and commercial landscape.
Benefits
* 33 days annual leave, on top of bank holidays and a three‑day Christmas closure period
* Access to a leading pension scheme for UK higher education with generous employer contributions
* Staff Fee Waivers for OU study, meaning you could earn a degree for free
* Flexible working and family‑friendly policies
* Discounts, wellbeing support, and development opportunities
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Legal
Industries: Higher Education
Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom
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