About King's
King's College London provides a dynamic habitat for individuals looking to expand their career prospects
About King’s College London
Kings has over 34,000 students from over 150 countries studying in person and online, and has over 12,000 employees. King’s academics are members of 9 Faculties, based on 5 campuses in central and SE London. Together the King’s community delivers a comprehensive portfolio of outstanding and impactful research and education in close partnership with the vibrant arts and culture ecosystem across London along with other universities and partners across the globe. We are ranked 31st in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026) and 36th in the world (Times Higher Education World Rankings 2025). King's College London offers an intellectually stimulating environment in which to work, where staff are dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and learning in the service of society. We are a multi-Faculty institution, providing high-quality education, research and innovation across the humanities, sciences, medicine, law, dentistry, and social sciences. King’s vision is to make the world a better place through world-leading education, research and service to society. King’s provides world-class education which enables students to become rounded critical thinkers, set up for success and with the character and wisdom to strive for social change. Through enquiry-driven research, King's delivers transformative insights and solutions that have the power to advance and accelerate global progress.
Our Faculties
Our comprehensive range of disciplines are organised into nine Faculties: • Faculty of Arts & Humanities • Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences • Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine • Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences • Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy • Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care • Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience • King’s Business School • The Dickson Poon School of Law
Appointment details
Salary
£100,000 + LWA
Terms
Full-Time Permanent
Closing date for applications:
09 June 2026 12:00
Vacancy ID
146046
Role purpose
This is an exciting new role to lead and manage the University’s Legal Services Team and provide oversight of the external and internal provision of high quality legal services to senior management and all other areas of the University. The Deputy Director of Legal Services will report to the General Counsel, Director of Legal Services and will work with them to lead and manage all of the legal affairs for the University. The post holder will co-ordinate, deliver and develop a range of high quality services that provide risk based legal advice and support to senior management, academic faculties and professional services divisions to meet a range of requirements, including legal compliance, commercial and reputational protection and dispute resolution. Working with staff at all levels, the role holder will manage their own challenging and varied caseload of legal matters with minimal supervision. They will be a highly trusted adviser on a broad range of legal matters affecting the University to include regulatory risk management, complex dispute and litigation strategy, driving negotiation, mediation and settlement as necessary. They will also manage the University’s external legal firm panel. The Deputy Director of Legal Services will support the General Counsel in the continued development of a legal team recognised for delivering excellent advice and support for the University.
Key responsibilities
• Ensure high standards of service are provided to faculties, directorates and all departments at all levels • Provide effective, accurate yet pragmatic advice across the university • Manage the external law firm panel contracts and relationships together with the related budgets • Managing a high performing team of inhouse solicitors, continuing their professional development and reputation • Representing the University in legal proceedings and negotiations either supporting or taking the lead as necessary • Draft, review and amend a variety of legal documents, including but not limited to pre action correspondence, court documentation, commercial contracts, academic collaboration agreements; NDAs; and MOUs; • Negotiate and develop heads of terms, complex contracts and agreements for commercial transactions and progressing projects through to completion. • Provide detailed legal analysis, advice and recommendations, and commercial expertise to support the University's strategic decision-making. • Develop a detailed understanding of risk/benefit issues relevant to the University and the Higher Education sector and take this into account when providing legal advice to the University. • Advise on legal and regulatory issues and risks in relation to the University’s current and potential activities, and on any specific contentious or non-contentious issues and problems that arise. • Develop and maintain standard legal templates for the University on a range of legal documents • Taking the lead on the development, application and review of the University regulations, policies and procedures involving legal consideration. • Develop the provision of training sessions and guidance documents for staff on legal issues and updates on changes to legislation affecting the University. • Management of the Legal Service team’s systems and processes, including a knowledge-sharing platform, agreements database, and intranet pages. The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Criteria
Essential
• Qualified to practice as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales and confident to work without legal supervision • Extensive post qualification experience in a broad range of legal areas • Previous and demonstrable experience of managing a team • High degree of maturity and self reliance, being organised and able to cope with regular changing priorities • Highly developed and accurate legal skills including drafting complex legal documents, researching, negotiation, advocacy and interviewing • Enthusiasm and ability to liaise effectively with internal and external clients, exploring their respective needs, adapting the service, and setting expectations • A self-motivated approach to planning and prioritising workloads with good organisational and time management skills • Demonstrable team working experience, including ability and willingness to take on new tasks in unfamiliar areas and to react confidently and rapidly to emerging issues
Desirable
• Experience working as Deputy Director or Head of Legal in another in house environment • In depth understanding of the legal and regulatory environment relating to the higher education sector • Experience working in an university in house team
Professional Services
Our Professional & Support services
Office of the Chairman & University Secretariat
Working closely with the Chair of Council, Lord Stevens of Birmingham, and the Vice-Chancellor & President, Professor Shitij Kapur, the University Secretary & Director of Assurance, Dr Sinéad Critchley, leads the Office of the Chairman and College Secretariat (OCCS). The Office comprises three key teams: Governance, Legal Services, and Audit and Assurance, each with a senior management lead. Collectively, OCCS is responsible for the effective running of governance across King’s, serving Council and its committees, supporting the Chair and Vice-Chancellor & President as a trusted advisor and a link between the non-executive and executive functions of the University, building assurance and compliance networks across King’s, supporting and contributing to strategic direction and ensuring compliance across a wide range of statutory, regulatory and policy requirements. Through the legal services team, OCCS oversees relevant activities governed by European/international legislation and contracts as well as specific agreements with partner establishments.
Our people
Through all our work, we aim to make the world a better place.
Faculties & Departments
Our 9 academic faculties
Strand Campus
The Strand Campus is home to: Faculty of Arts & Humanities, The Dickson Poon School of Law, Faculty of Natural & Mathematical...
Please quote the vacancy id: 146046 in all correspondence.
Closing date for applications: 09 June 2026 12:00
Application process
To apply for this post you will need to register on the King’s College London job opportunities page and submit the application form, along with the following: • a concise statement setting out your reasons for applying for the post and highlighting the particular skills and experience which you feel you would bring to the role (two pages maximum) • a curriculum vitae
Contact us
For more information regarding the vacancy please contact us using the details below
Selection process
Equal opportunities
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion are central tenets of King’s Vision 2029 which sets out the roadmap for King’s ambition to provide an exceptional student experience and to be an employer of choice. Integral to this is ensuring equality of opportunity and outcome, recognising, celebrating and improving our diversity and inclusion. As a responsible employer we aim to provide and promote a positive working, learning, and social environment which is free from prejudice, discrimination and any forms of harassment, bullying or victimisation. Our commitment to inclusion means that King’s aims to create an environment where differences are not just respected but also valued and celebrated. Everyone should be able to bring their whole self to King’s. All King’s students, staff and affiliates are responsible for meeting these commitments to value diversity and create an inclusive environment. King's will support and equip all members of its community to do this, embedding inclusion throughout the university’s policies, procedures, and practices.
Jobs at King's
Find jobs at King's on our jobs search page
Role purpose
This is an exciting new role to lead and manage the University’s Legal Services Team and provide oversight of the external and internal provision of high quality legal services to senior management and all other areas of the University. The Deputy Director of Legal Services will report to the General Counsel, Director of Legal Services and will work with them to lead and manage all of the legal affairs for the University. The post holder will co-ordinate, deliver and develop a range of high quality services that provide risk based legal advice and support to senior management, academic faculties and professional services divisions to meet a range of requirements, including legal compliance, commercial and reputational protection and dispute resolution. Working with staff at all levels, the role holder will manage their own challenging and varied caseload of legal matters with minimal supervision. They will be a highly trusted adviser on a broad range of legal matters affecting the University to include regulatory risk management, complex dispute and litigation strategy, driving negotiation, mediation and settlement as necessary. They will also manage the University’s external legal firm panel. The Deputy Director of Legal Services will support the General Counsel in the continued development of a legal team recognised for delivering excellent advice and support for the University.
Key responsibilities
• Ensure high standards of service are provided to faculties, directorates and all departments at all levels • Provide effective, accurate yet pragmatic advice across the university • Manage the external law firm panel contracts and relationships together with the related budgets • Managing a high performing team of inhouse solicitors, continuing their professional development and reputation • Representing the University in legal proceedings and negotiations either supporting or taking the lead as necessary • Draft, review and amend a variety of legal documents, including but not limited to pre action correspondence, court documentation, commercial contracts, academic collaboration agreements; NDAs; and MOUs; • Negotiate and develop heads of terms, complex contracts and agreements for commercial transactions and progressing projects through to completion. • Provide detailed legal analysis, advice and recommendations, and commercial expertise to support the University's strategic decision-making. • Develop a detailed understanding of risk/benefit issues relevant to the University and the Higher Education sector and take this into account when providing legal advice to the University. • Advise on legal and regulatory issues and risks in relation to the University’s current and potential activities, and on any specific contentious or non-contentious issues and problems that arise. • Develop and maintain standard legal templates for the University on a range of legal documents • Taking the lead on the development, application and review of the University regulations, policies and procedures involving legal consideration. • Develop the provision of training sessions and guidance documents for staff on legal issues and updates on changes to legislation affecting the University. • Management of the Legal Service team’s systems and processes, including a knowledge-sharing platform, agreements database, and intranet pages. The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
About King's
King's College London provides a dynamic habitat for individuals looking to expand their career prospects
Our Principles in Action
In everything we do, we apply Our Principles in Action
Criteria
Essential
• Qualified to practice as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales and confident to work without legal supervision • Extensive post qualification experience in a broad range of legal areas • Previous and demonstrable experience of managing a team • High degree of maturity and self reliance, being organised and able to cope with regular changing priorities • Highly developed and accurate legal skills including drafting complex legal documents, researching, negotiation, advocacy and interviewing • Enthusiasm and ability to liaise effectively with internal and external clients, exploring their respective needs, adapting the service, and setting expectations • A self-motivated approach to planning and prioritising workloads with good organisational and time management skills • Demonstrable team working experience, including ability and willingness to take on new tasks in unfamiliar areas and to react confidently and rapidly to emerging issues
Desirable
• Experience working as Deputy Director or Head of Legal in another in house environment • In depth understanding of the legal and regulatory environment relating to the higher education sector • Experience working in an university in house team
Professional Services
Our Professional & Support services
Office of the Chairman & University Secretariat
Working closely with the Chair of Council, Lord Stevens of Birmingham, and the Vice-Chancellor & President, Professor Shitij Kapur, the University Secretary & Director of Assurance, Dr Sinéad Critchley, leads the Office of the Chairman and College Secretariat (OCCS). The Office comprises three key teams: Governance, Legal Services, and Audit and Assurance, each with a senior management lead. Collectively, OCCS is responsible for the effective running of governance across King’s, serving Council and its committees, supporting the Chair and Vice-Chancellor & President as a trusted advisor and a link between the non-executive and executive functions of the University, building assurance and compliance networks across King’s, supporting and contributing to strategic direction and ensuring compliance across a wide range of statutory, regulatory and policy requirements. Through the legal services team, OCCS oversees relevant activities governed by European/international legislation and contracts as well as specific agreements with partner establishments.
Our people
Through all our work, we aim to make the world a better place.
Faculties & Departments
Our 9 academic faculties
Strand Campus
The Strand Campus is home to: Faculty of Arts & Humanities, The Dickson Poon School of Law, Faculty of Natural & Mathematical...
Please quote the vacancy id: 146046 in all correspondence.
Closing date for applications: 09 June 2026 12:00
Application process
To apply for this post you will need to register on the King’s College London job opportunities page and submit the application form, along with the following: • a concise statement setting out your reasons for applying for the post and highlighting the particular skills and experience which you feel you would bring to the role (two pages maximum) • a curriculum vitae
Contact us
For more information regarding the vacancy please contact us using the details below
Selection process
Equal opportunities
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion are central tenets of King’s Vision 2029 which sets out the roadmap for King’s ambition to provide an exceptional student experience and to be an employer of choice. Integral to this is ensuring equality of opportunity and outcome, recognising, celebrating and improving our diversity and inclusion. As a responsible employer we aim to provide and promote a positive working, learning, and social environment which is free from prejudice, discrimination and any forms of harassment, bullying or victimisation. Our commitment to inclusion means that King’s aims to create an environment where differences are not just respected but also valued and celebrated. Everyone should be able to bring their whole self to King’s. All King’s students, staff and affiliates are responsible for meeting these commitments to value diversity and create an inclusive environment. King's will support and equip all members of its community to do this, embedding inclusion throughout the university’s policies, procedures, and practices.
Jobs at King's
Find jobs at King's on our jobs search page