Head of Legal Services

With a proud history spanning over 50 years, the University of Bath has grown significantly in both scale and reputation, now home to a vibrant community of over 20,000 students from 153 countries. Renowned for its excellence in teaching and research, the University consistently ranks among the UK’s top five in the Complete University Guide 2024 and is placed 132nd globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Named 'University of the Year' and ranked 8th in the UK by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025, Bath is celebrated for its outstanding student experience and teaching quality. Its three Faculties - Engineering & Design, Science, and Humanities & Social Sciences - alongside the School of Management, develop a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and global impact.

Role

The Head of Legal Services leads the delivery of legal guidance across the University’s academic and commercial operations. The role includes ensuring legal compliance, managing risk, and leading all aspects of the legal and Freedom of Information teams. Responsibilities include tracking legislative changes, briefing leadership, and handling legal matters with discretion. The position reports to the Director of Legal, Governance & Compliance and includes managing relationships with external legal counsel. The role involves making decisions, adapting to change, and working within a regulatory framework.

• Provide legal advice to senior leadership on legislation and compliance.
• Lead legal input into governance, contracts, property transactions, and dispute resolution.
• Oversee engagement with external legal counsel and manage contract negotiations.
• Support legal processes in student and staff casework, including appeals and grievances.
• Advise on Freedom of Information (FOI) processes and responses.
• Work with Risk & Compliance to meet reporting requirements.
• Create legal templates, toolkits, and training materials to support compliance.
• Maintain the University’s central contracts repository.
• Conduct legal due diligence and raise unresolved risks.
• Direct the Legal and FOI teams, set goals, and coordinate training.
• Supervise legal staff and manage the legal services budget.
• Maintain solicitor registration and participate in legal networks.
• Provide legal advice to the Vice-Chancellor on institutional matters.

About You

This is an exciting opportunity to join the University of Bath as a highly experienced legal professional. As a qualified solicitor or barrister eligible to practise in England and Wales, you bring experience in leading legal teams across areas such as employment law, contracts, litigation, and compliance. You are able to explain legal issues clearly to non-legal audiences and manage Freedom of Information processes and consumer protection matters. You guide and support teams, make decisions under pressure, and stay informed about legal developments and sector requirements. With a practical approach, you contribute to decision-making and help maintain legal standards across the institution. The role involves working with others across the University and engaging with external legal networks.