FTE and working pattern: 1 FTE, 35hrs per week, Monday - Friday, Open ended. 

Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

Heriot-Watt University is seeking an experienced solicitor to join Heriot-Watt University as our new Deputy General Counsel, reporting to General Counsel. 

This newly created role of Deputy General Counsel at Heriot-Watt will provide senior legal support across the  University’s global operations, including  subsidiary entities. Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in Scotland (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney) one in Dubai and one in Malaysia.  It is also home to Oriam, the National Performance Centre for Sport and carries out research activity across all areas of operational activity.

You will play a key leadership role in shaping a modern, high-performing legal function – delivering expert advice, mentoring and  legal knowledge management. The role will  drive performance and effectiveness through its contractual arrangements across the University, with a particular focus on  value for money. The Deputy General Counsel will work closely with the General Counsel, Global Director of Governance and Legal Services and the Head of Assurance and Legal Services, all within the University Secretary’s office. The role will engage widely across the University to provide consistent, high quality, targeted legal advice across all operational areas, with a remit that spans commercial, research, educational and partnerships contracts, intellectual property, employment and procurement law.  The role also includes company secretarial responsibilities for subsidiary entities. 

This role provides an exciting opportunity to influence legal strategy in a global, innovative university as a member of a collaborative leadership team. Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business, and industry. The University’s mission to create and exchange knowledge that benefits society, combined with its global presence and partnerships with business and industry, mean that the Heriot-Watt Group has a diverse and interesting portfolio.  This appointment will build on the  experienced, commercial legal acumen and governance expertise of the team by delivering S2035 via that portfolio.

The postholder will embrace the Heriot-Watt University values and will look to develop key relationships across the University, adding value and benefits across the academic and professional community that makes up the University. Candidates will need to demonstrate their interest and aptitude to enjoy the culture and context of our diverse University and be able to influence and provide leadership, bringing both challenge and solutions.

The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business, and languages. Heriot-Watt is Scotland’s most international university, with a large and diverse community of students and staff. The post is based in Edinburgh and is an on-campus role.

For more information and to apply click here