Legal Counsel(UK Visa Sponsorship Available)
Job Description
About the Role
The University of Sussex is seeking a Legal Counsel to provide timely, practical, and solution-focused legal advice across a wide range of issues affecting the University.
Working collaboratively with colleagues across academic and professional services teams, you will play a key role in delivering effective legal support, promoting good governance, and embedding compliance and risk awareness throughout the institution.
This position is ideal for a qualified solicitor or barrister seeking either their first in-house role or a move into the higher education sector. It is equally suited to candidates with prior in-house or higher education legal experience.
About You
You must be a qualified solicitor or barrister in England and Wales, holding a current practising certificate, with a solid grounding in one or more of the following areas:
- Public law
- Contract law
- Employment law
- Intellectual property (IP)
- Regulatory or higher education law
You will bring:
- A strategic and solutions-oriented approach to legal problem-solving
- Strong risk awareness and attention to detail
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Effective planning and organisational abilities
- A commitment to continuous professional development (CPD)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and confidence working with digital tools
You will also demonstrate an ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and to support colleagues in understanding their legal responsibilities.
About the Division
The post sits within the General Counsel, Governance and Compliance Division, which provides professional expertise in legal services, governance, information management, and risk management.
The Division underpins good governance and informed decision-making across the University, ensuring that operations remain legally compliant and strategically aligned with institutional priorities.
Why Work Here
The University of Sussex is located on a stunning 150-acre campus next to the South Downs National Park, offering excellent facilities and a vibrant academic community.
The campus is easily accessible by public transport, just a five-minute walk from Falmer train station, and well served by local bus routes. We also promote sustainable travel through dedicated cycling paths and a Cycle to Work scheme.
As an internationally recognised, research-led university, Sussex values the contributions of all staff — academic, professional, and technical — in achieving its mission. We offer a comprehensive rewards and benefits package, alongside a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Additional Information
Visa Sponsorship:
This post is assigned SOC code 2419 (Legal professionals not elsewhere classified) and is eligible for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship in certain circumstances.
If a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) was issued on or before 3 April 2024, the salary at Grade 7.1 (£38,784) meets the threshold (£33,400).
If issued after 3 April 2024, or if you are applying from outside the UK, the minimum salary requirement is £41,700 (Grade 7.4) unless tradeable points are used to meet the visa criteria.
Work Location:
All work for the University must be performed within the UK.
We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. The University of Sussex particularly encourages applications from individuals from underrepresented groups, helping us build a diverse and inclusive workforce.
