Legal Service Recruitment

University of York

Student Graduation Picture

Why We're Recruiting

We are recruiting lawyers to set up an effective in-house legal service as part of the valued and skilled professional services community supporting the University of York and its ambitious new University Strategy (A University for Public Good).

Our aim is to deliver a valued, collaborative, supportive and expert legal service across the University, advising on a wide range of Higher Education issues, such as large, complex, commercial or development projects to general contracts to widening participation to student or staff matters.

The work is incredibly motivating, varied and interesting and can take you in one day from learning about satellites to Long Boi (a duck) the University’s (unofficial) new mascot to international contracts.

The world of Higher Education is very dynamic, and provides an environment for a breadth of experiences and skill- sets and we are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, to offering flexible roles and career progression

Julia Durham
Head of Legal Services

Julia Durham Picture

About Us

Legal Services sits within the Planning & Risk Directorate and comprises three teams: Information Governance (Data Protection), Insurance and the Legal Team.

The Legal Team is a small, friendly, hard-working and flexible team and we are looking for a number of lawyers happy to join us and to contribute to the formation of a new larger team. 

We are very happy to consider lawyers from different employment backgrounds, and disciplines, full time or part-time,  as long as they are adaptable, keen to learn about Higher Education and want to be an integral and supportive member of  the team.  They will be ready to expand their legal knowledge, share the University’s values and aims, and enjoy cultivating relationships with colleagues across the University.

Team Picture

What We Offer

We offer a supportive and inclusive environment for colleagues. Our new flexible hybrid working enables staff to find the right balance to work and life with colleagues working between home and the office.

Everyone at York has access to a range of excellent benefits including:

- 30 Days Annual Leave (38 days with bank holidays)
- Generous Pension Scheme
- Annual salary increments within your pay grade
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Hybrid working arrangements (see our Remote working policy)
- Flexible working arrangements
- Onsite Gym with discounted membership
- Staff training and development courses
- Relocation Expenses for certain roles
- Access to a range of savings on childcare, transport and healthcare, plus shopping discounts and other offers.

The above are a selection of benefits available to members of staff at the University. For a full list of benefits, please see https://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hr/employee-benefits/selection/introduction/

Students in a seminar

Why We Work Here

Member of Staff Picture

The variety of work is incredible. My day can involve drafting a contract, dealing with student issues, advising how to run a social media competition or something completely weird and unexpected! No 2 days are the same and the work is genuinely interesting. I have the autonomy I need to work effectively but the support is always there if I need it. After a background in private practice I can genuinely say I have no regrets about joining the great team at York.
University Lawyer

Member of Staff Picture

I joined the team in 2019 after working in a different area of the University. I love the variety of the work available in Legal Services. Across the University as a whole the people who work here are undoubtedly its main asset.  It's refreshing to be able to say that my experience has always been that they are hard-working, supportive and genuinely interested in the University serving the public good.  When people ask me what I do, I am proud to say that I work here.
Administrator

Julia Durham Picture

I genuinely believe in the ‘public good’ and the power of education and was delighted to take up the  role as Head of Legal Services earlier this year.  My role provides a wonderful, energising opportunity to bring together my broad legal experience   It is important to me that Legal Services provides not only a quality service but is a welcoming, supportive and happy place to work, reflective of the culture I’ve found across the University and its people. 
Head of Legal Services

Member of Staff Picture

After nearly 20 years in the commercial insurance sector I joined the University in 2016. Overseeing the insurance function within Legal Services we have an insight into the vast array of activity the University is involved in. I find the scope of work allows us to engage with colleagues across the institution to find pragmatic risk based solutions. Working within a busy yet friendly team, coupled with the flexibility of working at York allows for a great work life balance.
Head of Insurance

A University for Public Good

Founded on principles of excellence, equality and opportunity for all, the University of York opened in 1963 with just 230 students. In 2022 it is the home of more than 21,000 students across more than 30 academic departments and research centres.

Our vision is to be a university for public good and our strategy is built around our commitment to meeting four strategic objectives which are:

- Deliver curiosity-driven and action orientated research
- Provide education that empowers
- Create a community without limits
- Demonstrate local commitment on a global scale

For further information on the University of York and our Vision of a University for Public Good, please see: https://features.york.ac.uk/strategy/index.html

Students sat by the lake

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, which was developed in partnership with our staff and student communities, describes our commitment to create a culture where everyone can contribute to university life, knowledge and growth.

We want to create a working, learning, social and living environment that will enable all staff and students to achieve their full potential. We have an ambitious set of objectives to succeed in our commitment. We recognise that we are not truly representative of our communities locally, nationally and internationally.

We would like to pay particular focus to gender parity across all levels, the recruitment, retention and success of a more ethnically diverse staff and student community; an accessible and inclusive campus and ensuring that the values and behaviours we expect from everyone embrace inclusive responsibility and leadership.

The University is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums, campus facilities and services to support staff from different backgrounds.

The University particularly welcomes applications from candidates from minority ethnic backgrounds who are underrepresented in the institution.

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Pride Flag

York and Yorkshire

The City
Internationally acclaimed for its rich heritage and historic architecture, York's bustling streets are filled with visitors from all over the world. Within its medieval walls you will find the iconic gothic Minster, Clifford’s Tower and the Shambles - just a few of the many attractions. But York isn't just a great place to visit - it's also a great place to live and work. It’s regularly been ranked as one of the best places to live in the UK. While nourishing a vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere, York still maintains the safe, friendly sense of community unique to a small city.

Shopping, culture and entertainment
York boasts specialist and unique boutiques but also all the high street stores on its busy shopping streets. Alongside them you will find cinemas, theatres, an opera house, art galleries, a vast range of restaurants, live music venues and clubs. York is particularly renowned for its multitude of pubs and bars, from the modern to the medieval.

For more information on the city, please visit www.visityork.org

For more information on the city, please visit www.visityork.org

York Minster Picture

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