Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Director of Legal Services to join Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. The post holder will be responsible for leading and managing all aspects of the Legal Services Department, ensuring that there is a high performing, effective legal service that delivers best practice Trust wide and when engaging with external organisations. The post holder will provide strategic leadership and direction for the team to maximise learning and quality improvement in line with the Trust's long-term strategy. The post holder will have overarching responsibility and accountability for all work carried out in the Legal Services Department and will deputise for the Director of Governance as required in respect to legal services. Main duties of the job To work with and advise the Director of Governance in respect to the long term strategic planning of legal services at the Trust, using specialist knowledge of the law and best practice. To deputise for the Director of Governance as required in respect to legal services. To have final professional and managerial responsibility for all advice given within the Legal Services Department. To act as the legal expert for the Trust, managing all aspects of the Legal Services Department, providing legal advice across a broad range of areas including clinical negligence, Coroner's Inquests, Insurance, employer's and public liability, consent, Powers of Attorney, Wills and other healthcare law issues. To ensure that the legal service provided is effective and provides value for money for the Trust. The post holder will ensure the provision of a dedicated legal service within the Trust, developing and expanding the service to meet the Trust's changing strategic needs. To monitor and scrutinise all legal activity and spend across the Trust to develop a clear understanding of the needs of the Trust and costs involved, making recommendations where necessary to rationalise service. To ensure that the Legal Services Department acts with the appropriate level of urgency, sensitivity and responsibility, in preparation of High Court/Court of Protection applications. About us With over 19,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation. Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH. Date posted 14 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 9 Salary £105,385 to £121,271 a year pa Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 164-6863964 Job locations Queens Medical Centre Derby Road Nottingham NG7 2UH Job description Job responsibilities For more details please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification or please contact us for a discussion Job description Job responsibilities For more details please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification or please contact us for a discussion Person Specification Qualifications Essential oEducated to Masters level in legal practice oA qualified and practising solicitor, significant post qualification experience successfully managing a substantial case load, advance specialist knowledge, expertise and experience in this field or similar (related) field (work experience equivalent of doctorate level education) oSignificant additional role related and personal development training and evidence of the SRA required ongoing continued professional development. oAwareness of national and local policy, legislation and regulations and the latest developments in healthcare law Desirable Leadership qualification / training Project management training / qualification Experience Essential Experience of managing, leading and building teams oAbility to demonstrate strategic vision as well as a track record of leading a team through a change process oSignificant experience advising at a senior level on the full range of health and/or regulatory law issues oDemonstrate extensive experience of delivering across an organisation oSpecialist legal knowledge across a wide range of legal disciplines oEvidence of resilience and diplomacy to lead and support change within the service oDemonstrable skills in planning over the short, medium and long term, with the ability to constantly assess, adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly. oAbility to provide clear and informative reporting information in relation to the Trust's legal position, cases and risks. oAppreciation of the context of in house NHS legal services regulation and legislation and the context of how they apply within organisations. oExperience of undertaking advocacy in court and/or at inquests. The post holder must have rights of audience to allow them to appear before Coroners and Judges. oExtensive experience of analysing highly complex information and producing reports to tight deadlines. Experience presenting this information within a large, complex organisation oExperience developing and delivering training on a variety of legal topics to a wide range of recipients. oExtensive experience of managing sensitive issues within sometimes hostile or emotional situations oWide range of experience of working under pressure to agreed time-scales. oDemonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales Desirable Be a registered Law Society Training Principal and be responsible for the training Experience of working in an in-house legal team in an Acute NHS Trust Legal knowledge to include clinical negligence, Coroner's inquests, employers' and public liability, statutory/regulatory law and general healthcare advisory. Experience of working in a complex healthcare / NHS environment Communication Essential oExcellent and highly effective communication and interpersonal skills at all levels, a highly credible leader with experience of building relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. oPost holder must be able to communicate confidently and effectively at all levels - the role involves receiving and providing highly complex, sensitive, emotionally charged and contentious information. They must have the ability to negotiate, persuade and influence in order to bring about change. Includes communication to Board members and senior individuals within the organisation and external stakeholders. Person Specification Qualifications Essential oEducated to Masters level in legal practice oA qualified and practising solicitor, significant post qualification experience successfully managing a substantial case load, advance specialist knowledge, expertise and experience in this field or similar (related) field (work experience equivalent of doctorate level education) oSignificant additional role related and personal development training and evidence of the SRA required ongoing continued professional development. oAwareness of national and local policy, legislation and regulations and the latest developments in healthcare law Desirable Leadership qualification / training Project management training / qualification Experience Essential Experience of managing, leading and building teams oAbility to demonstrate strategic vision as well as a track record of leading a team through a change process oSignificant experience advising at a senior level on the full range of health and/or regulatory law issues oDemonstrate extensive experience of delivering across an organisation oSpecialist legal knowledge across a wide range of legal disciplines oEvidence of resilience and diplomacy to lead and support change within the service oDemonstrable skills in planning over the short, medium and long term, with the ability to constantly assess, adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly. oAbility to provide clear and informative reporting information in relation to the Trust's legal position, cases and risks. oAppreciation of the context of in house NHS legal services regulation and legislation and the context of how they apply within organisations. oExperience of undertaking advocacy in court and/or at inquests. The post holder must have rights of audience to allow them to appear before Coroners and Judges. oExtensive experience of analysing highly complex information and producing reports to tight deadlines. Experience presenting this information within a large, complex organisation oExperience developing and delivering training on a variety of legal topics to a wide range of recipients. oExtensive experience of managing sensitive issues within sometimes hostile or emotional situations oWide range of experience of working under pressure to agreed time-scales. oDemonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales Desirable Be a registered Law Society Training Principal and be responsible for the training Experience of working in an in-house legal team in an Acute NHS Trust Legal knowledge to include clinical negligence, Coroner's inquests, employers' and public liability, statutory/regulatory law and general healthcare advisory. Experience of working in a complex healthcare / NHS environment Communication Essential oExcellent and highly effective communication and interpersonal skills at all levels, a highly credible leader with experience of building relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. oPost holder must be able to communicate confidently and effectively at all levels - the role involves receiving and providing highly complex, sensitive, emotionally charged and contentious information. They must have the ability to negotiate, persuade and influence in order to bring about change. Includes communication to Board members and senior individuals within the organisation and external stakeholders. 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts Address Queens Medical Centre Derby Road Nottingham NG7 2UH Employer's website https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)