Senior Legal Counsel

UCAS is at the heart of connecting people to higher education.

UCAS is the world’s leading shared admissions service for higher education. We provide application services for UK universities and colleges as well as delivering a wide range of research, consultancy and advisory services to schools, colleges, careers services, professional bodies and employers.

We’re a successful and fast-growing organisation, which helps hundreds of thousands of people every year. We're committed to delivering a first-class service to all of our customers — they're at the heart of everything we do.

Business Unit Description

Our Finance and Corporate Services business unit is a fusion of multiple functions — financial planning and accounting, facilities and building management, procurement, corporate governance and performance, legal and compliance. The Finance Team also defines UCAS' financial strategy.

About The Role Contractual Hours

35.00

About The Role

The Senior Legal Counsel will be involved in some of UCAS’ most significant and complex legal matters (particularly with supplier contracts), often as part of a cross functional team. This role will provide risk-based, pragmatic legal advice and guidance that enables the organisation to meet its strategic objectives. This role will also support the wider legal and governance teams.

Key accountabilities:

• Ensure the effective and efficient delivery of legal services to support UCAS’ business activities.
• Foster strong, collaborative, working relationships with stakeholders and act as a trusted advisor on strategic, commercial and risk related issues.
• Provide strategic legal advice on UCAS’ approach to major procurement projects.
• Draft, negotiate and advise on the terms of important commercial contracts with UCAS suppliers and business partners across a broad range of subject matters.
• Analyse and interpret contract terms identifying risks and recommending mitigation strategies.
• Play a leading role in maintaining and developing contract templates, guidance materials and standards.
• Provide expert advice on legal matters, helping the business to navigate complex issues and understand legal risks.
• Provide legal advice on data governance matters, including data quality, data stewardship, classification, retention and data life cycle management.

You can find the full job description in the attached role profile below.

Skills, Qualifications, And Experience

• Significant experience of providing legal advice either on complex commercial contracts with a solid grasp of contract law or complex data sharing arrangements and data governance issues.
• Significant post-qualification experience obtained either in-house or in private practice.
• Excellent drafting skills and attention to detail.
• Able to analyse and accurately interpret, contract/data protection terms and identify the potential risks flowing from them.
• Extensive experience of leading contract negotiations.
• Ability to identify legal and commercial risks, contextualise those risks and present effective risk mitigation strategies.
• Commercial awareness and pragmatism. Able to discern legal issues from business issues and tailor advice to recognise commercial considerations and practical realities.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to articulate complex issues in clear, easy to understand, language.
• The confidence and gravitas to build trust, proactively contribute to discussions and constructively challenge decisions when required.
• Enthusiasm for supporting junior legal colleagues and helping them to develop.
• An understanding of the role of an in‑house legal team and an interest in helping to develop and advance the team’s strategic plans.
• Ability to work autonomously on matters, using your initiative to propose solutions, actions, and next steps to get things done and support the achievement of UCAS’ business objectives.

Package

Salary – up to £60,000

• Purpose-driven work in a charity-led organisation connecting people to education and opportunity
• Internal training, mentoring, and access to industry-recognised certifications through our development academies
• Hybrid working model built on trust and flexibility, with a 35-hour week and flexible contracts
• 30 days annual leave, 3 concessionary days over Christmas, bank holidays, and the option to purchase additional leave
• Everyday wellbeing support through Perkbox, offering discounts and wellness tools
• Onsite facilities including a free gym, subsidised café, and free parking at our Cheltenham office
• Inclusive culture supported by employee networks, wellbeing champions, and Mental Health First Aiders
• Recognition and reward through our quarterly employee scheme and an ex-gratia bonus for going above and beyond

Studies have shown that some groups of people are less likely to apply to a role unless they tick every box. At UCAS, we recognise that talent comes in various forms and we are committed to delivering a fair and equitable recruitment process where applicants have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their skills. So, if you are interested in this vacancy, but don't necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still apply.

Working Arrangements

Is fully remote working an option? No

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