Status: Closed

The Role: Senior Legal Adviser 

Our Client:  The Alan Turing Institute

Location: Hybrid working.  Office Location is at The British Library, London NW1

Remuneration:  Salary £65k (depending on experience) plus pension, phi incl. dental, 30 days annual leave + statutory days, flexible working around core hours plus hybrid working. (https://www.turing.ac.uk/work-turing/why-work-turing/employee-benefits)

 

There has never been a more significant time to work in data science and AI. There is recognition of the importance of these technologies to our economic and social future: the so-called fourth industrial revolution. The technical challenge of keeping our data secure and private has grown in its urgency and importance. At the same time, voices from academia, industry, and government are coming together to debate how these technologies should be governed and managed.

The Alan Turing Institute, as the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence, plays an important part in driving forward advances in these technologies in order to change the world for the better.

The Institute is named in honour of Alan Turing, whose pioneering work in theoretical and applied mathematics, engineering and computing is considered to have laid the foundations for modern-day data science and artificial intelligence. The Institute’s purpose is to make great leaps in data science and AI research to change the world for the better. Its goals are to advance world-class research and apply it to national and global challenges, build skills for the future by contributing to training people across sectors and career stages, and drive an informed public conversation by providing balanced and evidence-based views on data science and AI.

After launching in 2015 with government funding from EPSRC and five founding universities, the Institute has grown an extensive network of university partners from across the UK and launched a number of major partnerships with industry, public and third sector. Today it is home to more than 500 researchers, a rapidly growing team of in-house research software engineers and data scientists and a business team.

BACKGROUND: This role will work across the organization with a focus on contracts, data sharing and data access agreements (including but not limited to aspects of data protection), as well as IP. The Legal Team is part of the Office of the General Counsel which also covers the Data Protection Team and the Corporate Governance Function at the Turing. This is an exciting time to join the organisation and undertake interesting work regarding the legal aspects of research into data science and artificial intelligence.

ROLE PURPOSE: Reporting to the General Counsel, the Senior Legal Adviser will undertake a range of legal services in support of the Institute and its subsidiaries including - dealing with a variety of IP queries and dealing with data access contractual arrangements, legal review of a full range of contracts, licences and ad hoc agreements. The Legal Team is a small and friendly team which has a variety of resources, such as a templates tool-kit and junior paralegal resource.

You will be providing practical, robust and comprehensive legal advice and assistance to the Institute and its subsidiaries in respect of its activities as required.

Assisting in building the function of the legal team to support the Institute in its next phase of development through contributing to process design and implementation and developing resources such as document templates, intranet site content and training particularly relating to IP and data access arrangements and transaction modelling as well as to the overall culture of the Turing. We are looking for individuals with the ability to plan and prioritise own workload and ensure stakeholders expectations are appropriately managed. You will also be required to work with and support the junior members of the team and the Data Protection Manager.

To be successful you will have proven experience of working as a team player in a changing working environment.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Contract/IP/data access and related contractual data protection work

• To confidently draft, review, and amend mid-range to complex UK and international contracts with a variety of partners (from private and public sector, higher education organisations, and the third sector), including but not limited to:

• commercial contracts,
• research and collaboration agreements,
• grant agreements and bid agreements;
• sponsorship and service agreements;
• terms and conditions for purchasing goods and services,
• NDAs,
• data sharing/data access agreements and modelling arrangements both in and out; and
• software and publisher licences, consultancy agreements, and ad hoc agreements.

To liaise with and advise the contract owner to model complex transactions appropriately in the context of the Turing and its complex operating environment ensuring that financial, legal and reputational risks are managed effectively in a timely manner and in accordance with corporate policies and risk management profiles.

• To liaise and support the contract owner in contract negotiations in particular on risk assessment, risk mitigation and risk management and to work with the Data Protection Manager on DP assessments.

• To liaise and support the contract owner in contract negotiations in accordance with Turing policies and making appropriate recommendations where applicable, including escalation of matters for approval in accordance with the Turing’s Delegation of Authority Policy and other contractual policies.

• To assist in developing and maintaining the Turing’s contract templates, legal guidance and policies.

• To assist in training and resource creation particularly relating to IP and data access arrangements as well as data protection matters in collaboration with the Data Protection Manager.

General

• To assist with the design and implementation of appropriate procedures and processes to support the efficient functioning of the legal team and the wider organization with a focus on IP and data access arrangements including contractual data protection matters but could cover other general contractual matters also.

• Have an understanding of, and ability to develop knowledge in, other associated areas of legal and regulation relating to the Turing such as export regulations, NS&I Act, subsidy control, and its development, data protection, regulation of AI, IP and open sourcing and how it translates into application to the Turing and its contracts, risk management and processes.

• To liaise effectively with external legal advisers and Institute managers/staff/stakeholders. To undertake such other ad hoc legal support tasks, as required.

Please note that job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, and the postholder may be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities. This job description is written at a specific time and is subject to changes as the demands of the Institute and the role develops.

Person Specification

Education/Qualification: 

Qualified to practice as a solicitor in England and Wales and currently holding a practicing certificate. (Essential)

A Relevant postgraduate qualification (Desirable)

Knowledge & Experience: 

Essential:

Extensive post-qualification experience at a law firm and in an in-house environment.

Solid understanding of IP law and contracts in the UK (predominantly copyright and trademarks).

Proven ability to provide practical, outcome-focused legal advice and support.

Solid experience in transaction modelling, contract drafting, review, interpretation, amendment and finalisation.

Solid understanding of data protection legal regimes and their practical application to contracts in the UK and a good understanding of related international aspects and developments.

Good experience in advising on and interpreting legislation and guidance.

Good experience of liaising with lay clients from a variety of backgrounds and external legal advisors.

Ability to explain legal positions clearly and succinctly striking the right balance between robustness and diplomacy.

Ability to summarise legal issues for a lay audience.

Knowledge of law and regulation relevant to position including the Turing’s status as a charity.

Acts as an authority or expert in their field/area of expertise. Advice is sought by others (internally and externally) working in the same area/field.

Desirable:

Previous experience of dealing with higher education or research institutes.

Knowledge of corporate/institutional governance structure and procedures in the charitable sector.

Experience of working in a start-up or changing working environment comfortably and embracing change.

Experience of working in a regulated industry in particular a charity

Communication:

Excellent communication skills including the ability to write clearly and accurately with attention to detail and being able to tailor communications to relevant audiences.

Uses appropriate styles and arguments to present, influence and negotiate satisfactory outcomes.

Service Delivery:

Ability to work effectively, using own initiative in a professional manner engaging stakeholders and with limited supervision.

Adapts services and systems to meet customers’ needs and identifies ways of improving standards.

Actively promotes and defines performance standards for the service area that support the achievement of organisational objectives.

Decision Making:

Independently makes complex decisions at an operational or strategic level.

Provides advice and guidance at the highest strategic level on issues that have a significant and long-lasting effect on the whole organisation.

Planning & Organising:

Ability to negotiate requirements and timescales with stakeholders.

A methodical approach to work with a meticulous attention to detail and flexible attitude towards work. 

Initiative & Problem Solving

Ability to identify risks and provide solutions to mitigate the risks.

A practical approach to problem solving.

Evidence of ability to resolve issues without any pre-defined solutions.

Resolves complex problems that occur infrequently where guidance, if available, is not specific.

Assesses risk and takes action to prevent adverse impact on the organisation while identifying solutions.

Team Development:

Willingness to learn new areas of law and wider social issues, in particular relating to the field of artificial intelligence

Other requirements:

Understanding of or interest in artificial intelligence., data science and innovation. (desirable)

Commitment to EDI principles and to the Organisation values. (essential)

Our Values: Trust, Respect, Transparency, Inclusivity, Leadership, Integrity

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to equality diversity and inclusion and to eliminating discrimination. All employees are expected to embrace, follow and promote our EDI Principles and Our Values.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Elaine Rippon quoting reference oak208 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Office: 01477 534491 Mobile: 07974 451599

We encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early or to interview suitable candidates before the closing date if enough applications are received.

Application closing date is 16 August at 23:59

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early or to interview suitable candidates before the closing date if enough applications are received.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS This full-time post is offered on a permanent basis. The annual salary is £65,000 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, https://www.turing.ac.uk/workturing/why-work-turing/employee-benefits

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are committed to building a diverse community and would like our leadership team to reflect this. We therefore welcome applications from the broadest spectrum of backgrounds.

We are committed to making sure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive. This includes making reasonable adjustments for candidates who have a disability or long-term condition. Please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out how we can assist you.

Please note all offers of employment are subject to obtaining and retaining the right to work in the UK and satisfactory pre-employment security screening which includes a DBS Check.

Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.