Legal Assistant

Diamond Light Source

Didcot, Oxfordshire

£25,499 - £29,999 (Discretionary range to £34,499)

Ref: 10013

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron science facility. Located on the Harwell Science & Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire a 20 minute drive south of Oxford in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Diamond Light Source conducts world-class research in virtually all fields of science and offers rewarding career opportunities covering both technical and scientific disciplines.

We are seeking a proactive person to assist with the management and administration of contracts and other legal and corporate governance matters arising across the organisation.

As an ideal candidate, you should be degree qualified with a post graduate qualification in the legal field (such as a commercially focused Legal Practice Course or LLM or equivalent) and/or significant previous experience in a similar role with broad and demonstrable experience of the administration of legal contracts and drafting contracts.

Key duties include:

• Assist in the preparation and review of non-procurement contracts required across the organisation in order to ensure the efficient delivery of legal support;
• Assist in drafting and reviewing corporate governance and legal correspondence and contracts to a high standard;
• Monitor and maintain the internal and external legal and corporate governance web areas, keeping them up-to-date with relevant information for employees and other stakeholders so that the information is useful and readily available;
• Prepare briefing notes, setting out key terms and any risks or issues in a timely manner to ensure effective and efficient delivery of legal support;
• Handle incoming enquiries from Diamond employees and external stakeholders and assist in resolving queries and co-ordinating contact with other Diamond employees;
• Accurately maintain, update and monitor existing records ensuring that follow up actions are met throughout the life of the agreements;
• Arrange meetings, record minutes and produce action notes, providing efficient administrative support to the legal team.

Essential Criteria:

• Degree qualified with a post graduate qualification in the legal field (such as a commercially focused Legal Practice Course or LLM or equivalent) and/or significant previous experience in a similar role with broad and demonstrable experience of the administration of legal contracts and drafting contracts.
• Rigorous administration skills with good attention to detail
• Ability to work on own initiative but also an effective team worker
• Self-motivated with a positive approach and aptitude for problem solving
• An ability to analyse, interpret and respond effectively to detailed written documentation
• An organised, level headed but flexible approach to working to deadlines under pressure
• Excellent communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively in English at all levels of seniority and to a very high standard and to present a coherent argument.
• Proven ability to prioritise a heavy and varied workload and to keep track of a large volume of ongoing projects
• An ability to work effectively in the specialist area but contribute as part of a wider group of individuals providing support services to the organisation
• A good practical understanding of the legal aspects of the business and/or science environment
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant legal principles applicable to the role
• Knowledge and experience in the processes, procedures and systems involved in the administration of legal agreements
• Proven ability to prioritise a heavy and varied workload and to keep track of a large volume of ongoing matters
• Demonstrable experience of drafting contracts to a high standard
• Working knowledge using legal research resources such as Practical Law Company and familiar with the internet as a business resource
• Knowledge of higher education administration including an understanding of research grant funding in UK universities
• Experience of working with budgetary information
• Sound IT skills, with the successful applicant being fully conversant and proficient with the use of MS Word and MS Excel, including all general formatting and electronic annotation.

Desirable Criteria:

• Working knowledge using legal research resources such as Practical Law Company and familiar with the internet as a business resource
• Knowledge of higher education administration including an understanding of research grant funding in UK universities

For further information and to apply, please click on the apply button, to visit our website.

Diamond is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community.