Paralegal

Description

Role Title:Para Legal

Grade and Salary:Grade 7 37964 - 47389 per annum

FTE and working pattern:Full-time (35hrs per week);
Open-ended

Reward and Benefits:33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff. Use our total rewards calculator: see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

Purpose of Role

This is a newly created role and a rare opportunity to help shape and grow the Universitys legal function. As our first Paralegal you will play a key role in building efficient modern legal processes and supporting a high impact in-house legal team.

The postholder will work closely with colleagues across academic schools professional services and external partners to support the drafting review and management of legal documentation and processes.

You can expect a varied and engaging workload spanning contracts employment matters and property related work across a globally connected university.

This role offers a unique opportunity to join a developing in-house legal function gain hands-on experience across a wide range of legal areas and to build your career within a globally recognised university.

About our Team

The roles of General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel sit within Heriot Watt Universitys Office of the Principal.

The Governance & Legal Services Directorate supports effective and accountable governance compliance and safety across all global campuses. The team provides legal advice contract support risk management insurance oversight business continuity planning and compliance monitoring across the Universitys operations.

The Paralegal will provide high-quality legal and administrative support to the General Counsel;
Deputy General Counsel and the wider Assurance & Legal Services team. The role is based on-site at the Universitys Edinburgh campus. Heriot-Watt is a truly global university with Campuses across Scotland Dubai and Malaysia. You will support work across multiple jurisdictions cultures and regulatory environments offering a unique opportunity to gain international experience in your career.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Legal Support

• Assist in drafting reviewing and preparing a wide range of legal documents including:

  • commercial contracts

  • collaboration agreements

  • NDAs

  • consultancy agreements

  • studentship agreements

  • material transfer agreements

  • contracts for goods and services

  • Employment-related documentation (e.g. contracts policies correspondence)

  • Property and estates-related documentation (e.g. leases licences).

• Conduct legal research on matters including in relation to higher education law commercial law data protection intellectual property and regulatory compliance.

• Support the legal teams in dispute resolution processes including document collation correspondence drafting and case preparation.

Governance Compliance & Risk

• Assist in interpreting legislation and regulatory updates relevant to the University and its global campuses.

• Support updates to internal policies procedures and guidance.

• Maintain accurate legal records contract registers and compliance documentation.

• Contribute to developing clear practical guidance and tools to support colleagues in understanding legal and contractual obligations.

Operational & Administrative Support

• Coordinate contract workflows approvals and document execution.

• Prepare reports briefings and papers for internal governance committees and senior leadership.

• Liaise with internal stakeholders to support understanding of contractual obligations and legal processes including assisting with training delivery.

• Support the assurance team with insurance and claims handling where required.

• Support the development of efficient digitally enabled legal processes and systems including document management and tracking…