We are seeking two fully qualified legal professionals with experience in contract law and regulatory law to join Bath Spa University’s in-house Legal team and provide high-impact and specialist legal support across the institution.
Bath Spa University is seeking two experienced lawyers to join our in-house Legal team:
- a Senior University Lawyer with a focus on the provision of regulatory legal advice across a diverse remit;
- a Senior University Lawyer with a focus on drafting, advising on and negotiating complex and high-value contracts.
For these roles, we require fully qualified solicitors with strong professional practice experience relevant to each role, who align with the values and mission of our institution, which believes in the power of education to break down barriers to opportunity and to transform lives.
Who we are
Bath Spa University is where creative minds meet. Offering a wide range of courses across the arts, sciences, education, social science and business to over 7,500 students, the University employs outstanding creative professionals who support its aim to be a leading educational institution in creativity, culture and enterprise. Our main Newton Park campus is based in stunning countryside just a few minutes from a World Heritage City. We are also proud to offer courses to students at our other campuses around Bath, and in London at our Canary Wharf and Hackney sites. An impressive 84% of our staff said they would recommend the University to a friend as a good place to work.
We are a community of colleagues, striving for excellence to ensure students thrive.
Our values are:
- Respect
- Inclusivity
- Collaboration
- Sustainability
We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff and community. We foster inclusivity, celebrating and respecting differences. We welcome diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds and genders.
About the roles
Senior University Lawyer (Regulatory)
This is a senior, high-impact role leading the provision of specialist regulatory legal advice across the University, ensuring it operates effectively within an increasingly complex and evolving compliance landscape. Acting as a key legal authority, you will support a broad remit spanning Office for Students (OfS) requirements, data protection, consumer protection, equality and wider public law obligations.
You will provide clear, strategic and commercially aware legal advice to senior leadership, including the University Executive Board and Board of Governors, helping to manage legal risk and uphold robust governance standards. The role also plays a central part in shaping a proactive, collaborative Legal Services function, developing team capability, strengthening policies and procedures and embedding a culture of compliance across the institution.
As a visible and influential leader, you will represent the University in engagements with regulators and external stakeholders, oversee complex complaints and disputes, and drive institution-wide understanding of legal and regulatory requirements.
Key aspects of the role:
- Lead on regulatory legal advice across a complex, highly regulated environment.
- Provide senior counsel to executive leadership and governing bodies.
- Strengthen compliance frameworks, policies, and risk management processes.
- Represent the University in regulatory engagement, disputes and external forums.
Senior University Lawyer (Contracts)
This is a senior, high-profile role responsible for leading the drafting, negotiation and delivery of complex, high-value contracts that underpin the University’s strategic ambitions. Acting as the University’s principal legal expert on contractual matters, you will support a diverse portfolio spanning major educational partnerships, income-generating initiatives and commercial and procurement activity.
You will provide authoritative, commercially focused legal advice across the institution, including to the University Executive Board and Board of Governors, ensuring decisions are informed, compliant and aligned to a complex regulatory environment. Alongside this, you will play a key leadership role in shaping a proactive, high-performing Legal Services function – developing colleagues, strengthening governance frameworks, and enhancing contract review processes.
Representing the University both internally and externally, you will lead on significant negotiations, manage relationships with external legal providers, and contribute to sector-wide legal and policy discussions. This is a hands-on leadership role combining technical excellence with strategic influence and the ability to drive collaboration across the organisation.
Key aspects of the role:
- Lead on complex contract drafting, negotiation and delivery across strategic projects.
- Provide senior legal advice to executive leadership and governing bodies.
- Shape and develop Legal Services, including team leadership and governance.
- Represent the University in external negotiations and sector engagement.
Benefits:
BSU offers a wide range of great benefits, including:
- Generous pension scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme/Teacher’s Pension Scheme). This is a defined benefit pension scheme which pays members a secure income for life, post-retirement.
- Enhanced paid leave: 44 days holiday, including 33 days of leave, 8 Bank Holidays and 3 closure days. BSU also offers an annual holiday purchase scheme with an option to buy an additional 5 days of leave to take in June/July the following year.
- Family friendly policies including hybrid working, flexible work environment, on-site nursery, and a sector-leading enhanced maternity scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme which offers access to on-demand GP appointments, well-being support and advice, and access to counselling.
- Transport schemes including Electric Vehicle Scheme and Cycle to Work.
- A wide range of discounts and financial benefits, accessed through an easy-to-use app.
For further details about all our staff benefits, have a look at our rewards page.
Who we are looking for
Senior University Lawyer (Regulatory)
We are seeking a fully qualified solicitor or barrister qualified to practise in England, with a strong track record of providing expert advice to or within a regulated sector. You will combine deep technical knowledge with the ability to lead, influence and operate confidently at a senior level across a complex organisation.
You will bring substantial experience of advising on regulatory compliance, including knowledge of one or more of the following relevant specialist areas: consumer law, data protection, public and regulatory law, charity law or equality law.
Alongside your area(s) of expertise, you will have the capability to quickly adapt to emerging legal areas. A proven leader with sufficient post-qualification experience to supervise others in the provision of legal services, you will be comfortable supervising and developing others while contributing to a high-performing Legal Services function.
With excellent communication and negotiation skills, you will be able to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical advice, influencing senior stakeholders and supporting effective decision-making. You will also demonstrate strong organisational skills, sound judgement, and the confidence to operate independently in a fast-paced environment.
Senior University Lawyer (Contracts)
We are seeking an accomplished, qualified legal professional with substantial experience in drafting, advising on and negotiating complex, high-value contracts. You must be a qualified solicitor or barrister in England with significant post-qualification experience, sufficient to supervise others in accordance with Law Society requirements.
You will combine strong technical expertise with the ability to lead and develop others, contributing to a high-performing and responsive Legal Services function.
You will demonstrate a proven ability to and a strong track record of, drafting, amending, advising on and negotiating complex, high-value contracts as a core part of your previous role(s).
You will demonstrate a track record of delivering clear, commercially focused legal advice, with the confidence to operate at pace and manage competing priorities. Comfortable working at senior levels, you will be able to communicate complex legal issues to non-specialists, influence stakeholders, lead complex negotiations, and support informed decision-making across the University.
Highly organised and solutions-focused, you will bring sound judgement, attention to detail, and the ability to navigate complex legal and commercial challenges. You will also be adaptable, able to quickly build expertise across new areas in line with the University’s diverse activities.
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the job pack.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Dr Sophie Carney | sophie@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07399 528307
Olivia Robson | olivia@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07903 924770
Welcome from the Deputy University Secretary
As Deputy University Secretary, I am proud to lead a committed legal and governance function that plays a central role in supporting the University’s ambitions.
Our Legal Services team works across a broad range of areas, providing pragmatic, high-quality advice on matters including regulatory compliance, governance, and commercial and contractual activity. We work collaboratively with colleagues across the University to enable innovation, manage risk, and support effective decision-making, always reflecting our core values.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive and forward-thinking team, and I look forward to welcoming the successful candidates.
About Bath Spa University
At Bath Spa University, we believe in the power of education to break down barriers to opportunity and to transform lives.
We are Professionally Creative for the future. Professional Creativity transcends subject disciplines and is just as important for our sciences, education, business and law subjects as it is for our sector-leading creative industries provision.
We connect learners, staff and external partners with applied research and innovation. We power inclusive growth through skills development and practice–based, innovation–intensive learning for all. We foster inclusivity, celebrating and respecting differences. We welcome diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds and genders. We consider our recruitment practices to be comprehensive and unbiased, ensuring fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all.
We are One University: collaborating across our sites, departments and disciplines to align priorities, share expertise, streamline processes and work together to deliver our strategic goals.
Our core values are: Respect, Inclusivity, Collaboration and Sustainability.
Accessibility information
We understand that different members of the community have different access needs and have made some modifications to the way we do business to accommodate people from diverse communities and abilities.
We offer the following amenities:
- Accessibility dogs are welcome.
- Papers and materials can be presented in different formats, with reasonable notice.
- A sign language interpreter can be accessed for interview, with reasonable notice.
General information about building accessibility can be viewed here, or here for Main House (which is where interviews would be held). Some areas have limited accessibility due to the age of the building
Please see our EDI report published in 2025 Bath Spa Counts 2024.
To arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Dr Sophie Carney | sophie@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07399 528307
Olivia Robson | olivia@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07903 924770
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the appropriate job description.
Senior University Lawyer (Regulatory) Job Description
Senior University Lawyer (Contracts) Job Description
To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: Bath Spa University—Senior University Lawyer (Regulatory)” or “Senior University Lawyer (Contracts)”into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Dr Sophie Carney | sophie@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07399 528307
Olivia Robson | olivia@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07903 924770
As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.
If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact the lead consultant. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.
Applicants with disabilities are welcome to contact us in confidence at any stage of the recruitment process to discuss any reasonable adjustments or support that may be required to ensure fair and equal participation.
Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Timetable
This is a rolling application recruitment process. We will move to interviews as soon as we receive enough suitable interest and will contact you as soon as possible regarding the next steps. We want to provide everyone with the opportunity to apply. If you are concerned that this role may close before you can apply, please contact our advising consultant to discuss your options.
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and Bath Spa University are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018.
The information provided does not form part of the decision-making process and will not affect your application. Learn more about why we collect this data here.
Data Processing, Protection and Privacy Policy
By completing the form to view, or if you have access to this page from an email invitation, Peridot Partners will have processed your personal information. For more information about Peridot Partners’ data processing activities and your rights, please read our Privacy Policy.
