Principal Associate - Corporate Education

We have an exciting opportunity for a senior Corporate Solicitor to work in our thriving Corporate team, working for a wide range of clients with a focus on education clients including top ranking universities (such as Cambridge University, University of Manchester, University of Exeter) as well as other global and national charity clients (Welcome Trust, Children¿s Investment Fund).
This new opportunity will suit an ambitious Solicitor who has experience or is willing to get involved in advising our education and charity clients on strategic corporate projects.
The role would be ideally based in our Cambridge office but applications to be based at other offices within Mills & Reeve would be considered.
The key day-to-day roles the candidate will undertake are:

• You will primarily be working on cutting edge, high profile national and international projects for universities and charities. For example we recently advised on the two biggest mergers of universities for over 20 years.


• However, you could also get involved in a wider range of corporate work for other markets and sectors within Mills & Reeve too.
  
  The role is suitable for applicant with at least 5 years¿ PQE.

Applications are welcomed from Corporate lawyers with an interest for this specialist sector area. You may, although it¿s most certainly not essential, have good working knowledge of the structure of a range of educational establishments (in particular universities) and/or various types of charities.
Being part of the highest-ranking legal education team in the country, the role will provide plenty of opportunity for your career to grow and develop, supported by an ambitious and progressive law firm.
Given the responsibilities of this role, it¿s likely that you will be/have:

• Technically strong


• Commercial awareness and an enjoyment in working on transactions


• Excellent drafting and written communication skills


• Strong interpersonal and team skills


• Willingness to take initiative and to participate in marketing activity


• Attention to detail


• Organisation and prioritisation- keenness to support colleagues and work as part of a supportive team


• Able to cope with the demands that tight timescales can bring and thrives in a busy and dynamic environment
  
  The firm

Mills & Reeve is centred on achieving more for clients, their businesses and the wider communities we serve.
Our clients and their industries benefit from our knowledge and learning ¿ on everything from wellbeing, diversity and inclusion to global trends. The wider community benefits from a focus on sustainability in client and business decisions.
Clients get a consistent experience with no surprises ¿ we tell them what they need to know, when they need to know it. Our sector and market expertise helps us understand clients¿ issues. And our technology and innovations help them achieve more with less effort.
We build personal relationships, with advice individually tailored to individual need. And if clients need things we don¿t offer, we draw on our network to give recommendations.
Our 1,250 plus people and over 750 lawyers share one vision ¿ achieving more for clients.
By joining Mills & Reeve, you¿ll have the chance to build your skills and experience within a firm that¿s not only ranked in the top 50 UK law firms, but also one that truly values their people. Our mantra is ¿Achieve more. Together.¿, which we feel embodies our purpose and is more than just a catchphrase!
We¿ve been listed in the Best Companies to Work For list the last 20 years - the only law firm to have achieved this, and we hold Platinum Investors in People status, something which only 6% of 50,000 assessed organisations achieve. We¿ve also been ranked in the top 10 of RollOnFriday¿s Best Law Firms To Work At list for the past eight years, taking the top spot in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Don¿t just take our word for it though. Have a read through our People Perspectives to find out more about some of our team and their experiences at Mills & Reeve.
Pre-employment screening
If we make you an offer for a role, we will conduct a range of pre-employment screening. This will include, but is not limited to, a basic DBS check, right to work check, address verification, any disciplinary history recorded with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and a self-declaration to assess your character and suitability for the role. Full details of our screening process are available on request.
Disclosure and barring service check and security clearance
This post is also subject to a satisfactory response from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (to check for any previous criminal convictions and cautions) and, given the nature of the work-type, you may also be required to undergo national security vetting to SC level ¿ the latter can be undertaken following commencement of employment.
And finally
Everyone at Mills & Reeve brings a unique perspective and ideas to the team and we do everything we can to help each person to thrive. We¿re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment, are happy to consider flexible working arrangements, and want to achieve the right balance for both our people and the firm. We encourage everyone to ask if they feel they need any workplace adjustments, and will do our best to support with these.

As you¿d expect, we offer a competitive salary and a wide range of benefits. You can find out more about our core staff benefits here.