Senior Legal Counsel Uk Visa Sponsorship

Job Description

University of Derby
Interview Date: 2 June 2025
Location: Derby
Sponsorship: Skilled Worker visa eligible (subject to UKVI criteria)

About the University

At the University of Derby, our mission is simple: to make a positive impact. Through innovative research, outstanding teaching, and a commitment to sustainability, we strive to transform lives and shape a better future for our students, staff, and the wider community.

We are a forward-thinking institution with a modern outlook, recognised nationally for our excellence in education. In 2023, we were awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)—a prestigious acknowledgment of our exceptional student experience and outcomes. Our facilities rank among the best in the UK, supporting a vibrant learning and working environment.

With a strong financial foundation and ambitious growth plans, we offer a supportive and inclusive workplace where employee wellbeing is a top priority. Staff are empowered to develop their careers through tailored learning opportunities, ensuring you thrive both personally and professionally.

About the Department

Legal Services is part of the Legal, Governance & Assurance Services directorate—a central, strategic function overseeing the University’s risk and compliance frameworks. The department is structured around three expert teams:

• Legal Services
• Governance Services
• Assurance Services

Together, these teams play a critical role in identifying and mitigating legal, regulatory, reputational, and financial risks. Legal Services provides timely, high-quality legal advice on complex and strategic matters, ensuring the University operates within robust legal frameworks that support confident and informed decision-making.

The Role

This is a senior leadership opportunity within the Legal Services team. As Senior Legal Counsel, you will provide expert advice on a wide range of complex, high-value legal issues while managing the operational delivery of legal services across the University.

Reporting to the Director of Legal, Governance & Assurance Services, you will lead a team of legal professionals and support staff, ensuring excellence in legal risk management, service delivery, and client engagement. You will also oversee the University’s external legal advisers, managing instructions and monitoring billing.

Your remit will include advising on:

• Commercial contracts
• Procurement and corporate governance
• Research agreements and intellectual property
• Regulatory and compliance matters

You will work closely with senior leaders, including Executive and Leadership Teams, offering pragmatic and strategic legal advice that directly supports the University’s mission and long-term goals.

About You

You will be a qualified solicitor or barrister with significant post-qualification experience, ideally within a complex organisation or in-house legal environment. Key attributes include:

• Extensive expertise in commercial law and contract negotiation
• A strong understanding of regulatory frameworks relevant to large institutions
• Proven experience leading legal teams and managing complex caseloads
• A strategic mindset with the ability to design and oversee effective legal processes
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to influence at all levels
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach to problem-solving

Experience in the higher education or public sector—especially in areas such as research contracts, procurement, or intellectual property—would be advantageous but is not essential.

Employee Benefits

• 42 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays and University closure days)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Private Health Insurance (employer-funded)
• Comprehensive wellbeing support and family-friendly policies
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted on-site gym membership
• Cycle to Work scheme and holiday purchase options
• Staff discounts at major retailers
• Flexible working environment
• Strong support for personal and professional development

Sponsorship and Visa Information

This role is eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, subject to meeting UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements. These include:

• Meeting the English language requirement
• Earning a salary that meets or exceeds the applicable threshold (£38,700 per annum or the going rate for the role)

You may still be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa at a lower salary under certain exceptions, such as if you:

• Are under 26, a recent graduate, or in professional training
• Hold a PhD relevant to the role
• Are applying for a role listed on the Immigration Salary List
• Are applying for a postdoctoral position

Please note: Sponsorship eligibility is assessed after an offer has been made and individual circumstances are reviewed. For further guidance, please visit Applying from Overseas.

Key Contact

For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact:
James Fussell, Director of Legal, Governance & Assurance Services
Email: j.fussell@derby.ac.uk

For application and sponsorship queries, contact:
Recruitment Team
Email: recruitment@derby.ac.uk

Join a university committed to positive change—apply now and help shape the future with us.