Job summary
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of eye health services in the UK. We have a reputation, developed over two centuries, for providing the highest quality of ophthalmic care.
Moorfields' Clinical Research Facility is the largest ophthalmic experimental medicine and early phase facility in the world, with an international reputation of excellence for ophthalmic research.
We are seeking an accomplished Senior Legal Counsel to join our legal services team on a permanent basis. To successfully carry our this broad and varied role, you will to be a UK qualified solicitor with extensive post-qualification experience in negotiating/ drafting complex commercial contracts. You will also have a strong grasp of government framework contracts, public procurement law and experience, or a strong interest, in the healthcare sector.
Main duties of the job
Function as a legal business partner with nominated business functions, providing commercial and strategic business advice.
Deputise for the General Counsel and support the General Counsel in the development of the legal services team.
Support the R&D department by reviewing and/ or drafting UK and international collaboration agreements, MoUs, HoTs and sub-award agreements.
Provide support to the Trust's Board on key areas, including commercial, IP, regulatory, and medical law.
Provide support to Trust colleagues on a wide range of legal matters, including employment relations and clinical negligence claims.
About us
At Moorfields, we provide more than just an excellent career and great colleagues to work with. We also offer:
- Salary including High-Cost Area Supplement
- Opportunity to join the NHS Pension Scheme
- Free 24/7 independent counselling service
- Learning and development opportunities
- Easy and quick transport links
- A range of attractive benefits and discounts
- Access to Blue Light Card and other NHS Discount Schemes
- Free Pilates classes
- Full support and training to develop your skills
- Flexible working friendly organisation
And so much more! To see the full range of benefits we offer please see our Moorfields benefits document.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Provide legal advice to the Trusts CEO and directors, on key areas, including commercial, intellectual property, regulatory, and medical law.
- Act as deputy for the General Counsel, including with the planning of legal budgets and approval of invoices.
- Support the development of the legal services team, including the drafting of key templates and development of new business practices.
- Support the development and review of the Trusts policies.
- As legal business partner, provide a central point of contact for key business areas, advising on legal and regulatory matters and providing advice and support where appropriate.
- Oversee and identify the legal issues in business partnering areas and their inter-relationships, ensuring close liaison with directors, managers and budget holders so that appropriate matters are escalated for review in a timely manner.
- Work with the Trusts third-party legal suppliers to ensure best value for money advice within budget.
- Provide support to the Research & Development department including contract review, liaising and advising on the implications relating to research governance, strategic partnering agreements with international partners, international collaboration agreements, understanding of intellectual property and drafting MOUs and HOTs.
- Provide legal advice in relation to the establishment of contracts for projects as required.
- Provide advice to clinical teams and staff as the need arises, for example relating to consent and the duty of candour.
- Provide appropriate training support to the Trust on legal and regulatory issues. Support leads in specific areas and build knowledge and understanding of the legal implications of activity in the Trust.
- Keep up to date with new developments in the law as they may affect the activities of the Trust and to assist the Trust in the interpretation of legislation and regulations as they relate to the Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Provide legal advice to the Trusts CEO and directors, on key areas, including commercial, intellectual property, regulatory, and medical law.
- Act as deputy for the General Counsel, including with the planning of legal budgets and approval of invoices.
- Support the development of the legal services team, including the drafting of key templates and development of new business practices.
- Support the development and review of the Trusts policies.
- As legal business partner, provide a central point of contact for key business areas, advising on legal and regulatory matters and providing advice and support where appropriate.
- Oversee and identify the legal issues in business partnering areas and their inter-relationships, ensuring close liaison with directors, managers and budget holders so that appropriate matters are escalated for review in a timely manner.
- Work with the Trusts third-party legal suppliers to ensure best value for money advice within budget.
- Provide support to the Research & Development department including contract review, liaising and advising on the implications relating to research governance, strategic partnering agreements with international partners, international collaboration agreements, understanding of intellectual property and drafting MOUs and HOTs.
- Provide legal advice in relation to the establishment of contracts for projects as required.
- Provide advice to clinical teams and staff as the need arises, for example relating to consent and the duty of candour.
- Provide appropriate training support to the Trust on legal and regulatory issues. Support leads in specific areas and build knowledge and understanding of the legal implications of activity in the Trust.
- Keep up to date with new developments in the law as they may affect the activities of the Trust and to assist the Trust in the interpretation of legislation and regulations as they relate to the Trust.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Law degree or equivalent
- Qualified Solicitor
- Continuous professional development
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Substantial post-qualification experience, ideally in the health, research or life sciences sector
- Experience of contractual and commercial agreements
- Experience of working with a range of internal and external stakeholders creating effective relationships
Desirable
- Experience of working with Research & Development contracts and collaborations
- Proven work experience of healthcare law
Knowledge
Essential
- Solid working knowledge of the health sector
- Solid working knowledge of commercial, intellectual property and data protection law
Desirable
- Solid understanding of corporate governance
- Good working knowledge of employment law
Skills/abilities
Essential
- Excellent communication skills including attention to detail and ability to communicate complex principles to wide-ranging audience within and outside the Trust (including speaking with patients)
- Capability to interact with senior members of the Trust with authority and provide appropriate advice and challenge
- Provide, initiative-taking, pragmatic, legally acceptable practical solutions
- Calm logical approach with an ability to work and deliver under pressure
- Good problem solving and analytical skills
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Law degree or equivalent
- Qualified Solicitor
- Continuous professional development
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Substantial post-qualification experience, ideally in the health, research or life sciences sector
- Experience of contractual and commercial agreements
- Experience of working with a range of internal and external stakeholders creating effective relationships
Desirable
- Experience of working with Research & Development contracts and collaborations
- Proven work experience of healthcare law
Knowledge
Essential
- Solid working knowledge of the health sector
- Solid working knowledge of commercial, intellectual property and data protection law
Desirable
- Solid understanding of corporate governance
- Good working knowledge of employment law
Skills/abilities
Essential
- Excellent communication skills including attention to detail and ability to communicate complex principles to wide-ranging audience within and outside the Trust (including speaking with patients)
- Capability to interact with senior members of the Trust with authority and provide appropriate advice and challenge
- Provide, initiative-taking, pragmatic, legally acceptable practical solutions
- Calm logical approach with an ability to work and deliver under pressure
- Good problem solving and analytical skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
