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.
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