Assistant Director (Legal Services) Candidate Brochure
Welcome.
Thank you for your interest in the role of Assistant Director Legal Services. I hope when you know more about the role and our organisation you will give some serious thought to the opportunity of joining us. The successful applicant for this important role will be joining our University at an exciting time in our proud history. We are at the start of Vision 2030, our new strategic framework, developed in partnership with colleagues, students, the local community and partners. Vision 2030 puts sustainable futures and our students at its heart. Our Governance and Legal Services team, led by the University Solicitor and Clerk to the Governing Body, provides legal and information governance services to stakeholders across the organisation and corporate governance support to the Governing Body and its committee. The successful applicant will be a senior member of the team and will deputise for the University Solicitor and Clerk to the Governing Body when needed. Our team is currently undergoing an exciting transformation and you will bring your experience of leading at least one other cross disciplinary legal services team to help us achieve our goal. We are a collaborative bunch; eager to develop our practice. We thrive on teamwork. We are open, creative and forward thinking and we want to be a sector leading legal services function. This new role has been created to lead that ambition. We are digitising our operation and wish to make use of suitable technologies. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to re-design and lead an integrated legal services team with an eye to the future. Our team is vibrant and enthusiastic and your leadership and vision will be vital to inspire colleagues to successfully manage risk, to be the best they can be, and deliver outstanding legal services.
Our legal services team routinely advise on legal aspects relating to: delivering outstanding education nationally and internationally both directly and through partnerships; the University’s freehold and leasehold estate; procurement activities; delivery of consultancy, research and innovation; commercialisation activities; franchise operations; regulatory frameworks and limited company and registered charity status. The role holder will work at a senior level across the University on a range of complex and interesting issues and will have access to a range of resources including external advisers and stakeholders. Canterbury Christ Church University are committed to providing exceptional education and a supportive environment for our diverse community of students. We also nurture and develop our diverse staff community; supporting them in their ambitions to succeed. We are equally committed to sustainability, social responsibility and working with our wider community. We hope this sounds like the kind of role and community that appeals to you. I encourage you to explore this candidate pack and consider being part of the University and the team.
Inside.
Discover more about us. Sustainability. Our mission, vision and values. Our Locations. Job Description. Person Specification. An inspiring place to work. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Application Process.
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Alison Sear University Solicitor & Clerk to the Governing Body
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Introducing Canterbury Christ Church University
Our University started out as a teacher training college in the 1960s in response to a national shortage of teachers. Today we continue to shape our courses and research around critical social issues both nationally and globally. We are recognised as a leader in education, research and enterprise that supports the South East region’s growth and economy and that is focused delivering an excellent and inclusive experience that provides enterprising, professional graduates. We want to do more than just provide our students with a high-quality education. We also want to work in partnership with our students to ensure they graduate with an understanding of the challenges facing society and our world, and have the skills, commitment and personal qualities needed to help address them. Discover more about us. For more than 60 years, Canterbury Christ Church University has been a big part of the Kent community, providing education which makes a real and positive difference to people’s lives.
& OVER 20,000 3 1,500 STUDENTS STAFF FOR EMPLOYABILITY in UK FOR GRADUATES IN EMPLOYMENT* TOP Creative industries MEDICINE ENGINEERING Sciences SPORT BUSINESS TEACHING Law Media Tourism NURSING UK
MODERN UNIVERSITY
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HISTORIC LOCATIONS
Diverse, global, dynamic community
BUILDINGS £150 m STEM CREATIVE ARTS FOR
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Research- involved academics
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SOCIETY
1 st out of 100 Higher Education Institutions in the UK with 3,000 or more graduates. HESA: Graduate Outcomes 2023
*Out of 100 Higher Education Institutions with 3,000 or more graduates (HESA: Graduate Outcomes 2022)
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canterbury.ac.uk
Sustainability.
Our mission, vision and values.
We are firmly rooted in Kent and Medway’s communities – from Canterbury to Tunbridge Wells and Medway – and we therefore recognise our significant role in protecting and enhancing our wider environment.
OUR MISSION Inspired by our Church of England foundation, the University’s mission is to pursue excellence in higher education: transforming individuals, creating knowledge, enriching communities and building a sustainable future. OUR VISION We will be recognised as a leader in education, research and enterprise that supports the South East region’s growth and economy, building on our heritage as a globally connected, dynamic and innovative University, delivering an excellent and inclusive experience that provides enterprising, professional graduates. WE VALUE • The development of the whole person, respecting and nurturing the inherent dignity and potential of each individual • The integration of excellent teaching, research and knowledge exchange • Power of higher education to enrich individuals, communities and nations • Our friendly, inclusive and professional community of students and staff, preparing individuals to contribute to a just and sustainable future.
Learn more about sustainability at Canterbury Christ Church University
Our mission is to pursue excellence in higher education: transforming individuals, creating knowledge, enriching communities and building a sustainable future.
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Our locations. Our network of campuses and centres stretches across Kent and Medway, and are a vital part of the local communities.
CANTERBURY CAMPUS The largest of our campuses, Canterbury is a World Heritage Site and a historic cathedral city.
AUGUSTINE HOUSE Our flagship library and student services building at the heart of Canterbury’s city centre.
MEDWAY CAMPUS Our Medway Campus is a stone’s throw away from the Historic Dockyard, which is home to a cinema and restaurant complex.
ARTS AND CULTURE VENUES Arts and Culture events take place in a number of different venues across our campuses.
CHRIST CHURCH SPORTS CENTRE The centre features a fully equipped sports hall, fitness suite and sport and exercise studio. Visit the Sports Centre web pages
SALOMONS INSTITUTE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS The Salomons Institute is home to professional and postgraduate study.
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MAIN DUTIES • Lead the review, transformation and re-design of the University’s Legal Services team to include the integration of its work across the University, mitigation of its high-level risks and a digital first approach. • Be accountable to the University Solicitor and Clerk to the Governing Body for the effective delivery of a Legal Services function. • Take responsibility for managing the legal risks faced by the University by providing a high-quality, sector leading professional Legal Services function to internal and external stakeholders. • Develop and manage the University’s relationships with various external law firms and other bodies as necessary; promptly assessing and sharing advice with colleagues and taking responsibility for the exchange of information between the University client and any external lawyer or stakeholder. • Lead the setting and monitoring of performance measures for the Legal Services team in line with the University’s KPIs. • Inspire and enable colleagues within the Legal Services team and across the University to deliver a first-rate and compassionate experience to our students, with a continuous focus on inclusion, wellbeing and success. • Provide solution-focussed and compassionate leadership to direct reports, including facilitating their expertise, promoting collegiate working across the team and creating a positive, optimistic working environment. • Develop collegiate and effective relationships with the Governance and Legal Services team, the University’s Senior Management Team, Senior Leadership Group and managers across the University, offering thought leadership and support to senior colleagues. • Participate in external network meetings and forums e.g. the Association of University Legal Practitioners’ network events and keep the University informed about the latest legal developments affecting the University and/ or the higher education sector • Lead on the provision of training to University teams and individuals in all relevant legal matters arising in a higher education context, to enhance and develop the legal capability and confidence of those undertaking duties requiring such knowledge. • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of law and legal practice, identifying potential legal and regulatory developments and providing advice to the University on how to respond. • Lead on ensuring changes are made to University policies, procedures and systems of internal control as required. • Manage a caseload and develop and maintain arrangements for case handling within the Legal Services team, relevant managers, including developing and maintaining good ‘client’ relationship skills and maintain ‘client’ confidence. • Complying with professional standards and any requirements including continuing professional development.
Job Description.
Job Title Location
Assistant Director (Legal Services)
Canterbury
Reports to:
University Solicitor and Clerk to the Governing Body
Responsible for:
Line management responsibility for the Legal Services team within GLS & deputise for the University Solicitor (responsible for the Legal, Information Governance & Corporate Governance teams) when needed.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The University has over 25,000 students, and 1,800 staff. It is a diverse, global and dynamic community. It has recently invested heavily in new Creative Arts and STEM Facilities and jointly operates the Kent and Medway Medical School with the University of Kent. The University has a large estate including freehold and leasehold interests and offers a variety of student accommodation options to its students. It provides conferencing facilities to third parties and has a historic wedding venue for hire. It has a track record of entering into high value commercial agreements in order to diversify its income and commercialise its assets. The Assistant Director (Legal Services) will be a strategic leader with operational responsibility for leading the University’s Legal Services team in providing an outstanding legal services function to a wide variety of external and internal stakeholders. Reporting to the University Solicitor and Clerk to the Governing Body, the Assistant Director (Legal Services) will work closely with the Vice-Chancellor and other academic and professional services colleagues in the Senior Management Team, the Senior Leadership Team, leaders and managers across the organisation to deliver the University’s strategic framework, Vision 2030, providing leadership for the University’s Legal Services provision. The post holder will be a legally qualified leader and will be a senior member of the Governance and Legal Services team. They
will have proven experience of influencing others at a senior level and leading a high- quality Legal Services function gained in-house or in private practice. Their senior leadership experience will have been gained in a complex, cross-organisational legal services function. A proven track record of leading service re- design and continuous improvement will be required. They will take responsibility for providing a full range of legal services in relation to domestic and international commercial matters, consumer law, student matters, and a wide range of property matters including high value transactions, contracts and litigation. The post holder will have significant knowledge and experience of corporate governance, information governance, intellectual property, public and administrative, and charity law. Experience of higher education law and the related regulatory and funding context will be an advantage. The post holder will provide legal advice to stakeholders directly and manage their own caseload. They will naturally adopt a compassionate leadership model, having direct line management of the Legal Services team. They will deputise when needed for the University Solicitor, who is the Company Secretary of the University and its wholly owned subsidiary, and heads up the Legal Services, Corporate Governance and Information Governance functions. The post holder will lead a service re-design project to review and deliver an effective, digital first, integrated Legal Services provision.
Person Specification .
QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING Essential • A professional legal qualification – either a solicitor, legal executive or barrister. Qualified to practise in England and Wales and holding a current practising certificate • A degree or degree equivalent qualification • Continued professional development Desirable • Project management qualification SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES Essential • Fluency in data and technology solutions and business process design. • Solutions architect skilled in continuous improvement with the proven ability to lead change. • Ability to provide client-focussed, concise, practical legal advice setting out the options and risks. • Exceptional communication and negotiation skills with the ability to empathetically lead a team or group. • Ability to lead a team, project manage, organise own workload and meet deadlines with minimum supervision. • Ability to analyse complex issues and make decisions independently or with minimum supervision. Highly analytical with an ability to see the big picture. • Eagerness to undertake further professional training and development • Commitment to the values set out in the University’s strategic framework, Vision 2030 around social justice, inclusion, compassion and sustainable futures. • Commitment to leading compassionately with focus on staff wellbeing, equity, and inclusion and with a sound understanding of the University’s equal opportunity policy. • Excellent and proven interpersonal skills necessary to build and maintain trust, effective working relationships, and professional networking with a broad range of colleagues inside and outside the University
EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE Essential • Senior leadership experience in a complex, cross-organisational legal services function. A proven track record of leading a legal services team through a service re-design and continuous improvement. • Significant experience and knowledge of legal practice and litigation, advising senior stakeholders on commercial property, commercial (including global agreements), corporate governance, information governance, public and administrative and charity law. • Experience of leading and implementing organisational change, implementing a digital first legal service function implementing automation, with associated KPIs and objectives that deliver improved outcomes. • Significant experience of working at a senior, strategic level in private practice or in-house in a public authority, charity or commercial organisation. Significant experience of taking the lead on high value and complex legal matters on an individual basis and as part of a team, including litigation and taking responsibility for liaising with external legal counsel in relation to such matters • Experience of engaging with, external bodies such as OfS, OIA, CMA, Charity Commission, ICO, and Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies. • Significant experience of dealing with complex litigation, drafting and negotiating high value contracts and transactions. • Significant experience of providing supervision, guidance, mentoring and training across an organisation related to legal issues to others to develop legal skills, knowledge and resilience. • Experience of being a senior member of a team, budgetary management and financial planning Desirable • Significant experience and knowledge of property law. • Knowledge and experience relating to higher education law and related regulatory and funding context
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An inspiring place to work. Working at Canterbury Christ Church University
Equality, diversity and inclusion.
88% of our staff say Canterbury Christ Church University is a friendly place to work and we offer a diverse range of benefits, work-life balance and learning and development opportunities to our staff.
The core purpose of Canterbury Christ Church University is to transform lives through education.
The University has a long-standing commitment to social justice and widening participation. The University community is wonderfully diverse, with people from all over the world and from all backgrounds. Canterbury Christ Church University is committed to: • advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion outcomes and representation • redressing inequity, discrimination, progression and attainment imbalances for our staff and students. • continuously building a culture of equality and inclusion • taking action against all forms of racism • leading the institution in the journey to become an anti- racist university. • promoting an LGBTQIA+ inclusive environment for all staff and students The University is a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a member of the Disability Confident Scheme and attained an institutional Athena SWAN Bronze Award in November 2016. It aims to achieve an Athena SWAN Silver Award by 2023.
Further information can be viewed at Work Benefits and Working For Us.
THE COUNTY OF KENT AND CITY OF CANTERBURY Kent is a county that offers scenic countryside and wonderful coastlines as well as excellent accessibility to London and Mainland Europe. Kent has a spectacular coastline and there are some wonderful seaside towns. Across the County there are many hidden gems like market towns and picturesque villages. Canterbury combines cultural activities and highly rated educational establishments with historic landmarks and nearby nature, with it regularly being ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the South East region.
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Application process.
The University is being supported on this recruitment campaign by the search consultancy MRG University People.
To arrange a briefing conversation please contact our retained advisors: Sian Gardiner Sian.Gardiner@universitypeople.co.uk Sherena Otadende Sherena.Otadende@universitypeople.co.uk
Applications should consist of a comprehensive CV (of not more than 4 pages) and a covering letter (of not more than 2 pages).
Applications should be sent to sian.gardiner@universitypeople.co.uk
Advert closing date: Sunday 8th September Interview: Tuesday 24th September
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