Senior Associate - Education

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP; Oxford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is seeking a Senior Associate specialising in education law to join our team in the UK. The role involves providing strategic governance, regulatory and data protection advice to higher education institutions and colleges.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of six years post-qualification experience, be SRA qualified, and capable of handling sensitive matters with senior stakeholders. Hybrid working with 50% office presence is available.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of post-qualification experience.
• SRA qualified (or equivalent).
• Proven track record advising HEI, colleges, or educational bodies.
• Strong governance, investigations and data protection expertise.

Responsibilities

• Navigate regulatory and governance obligations affecting the education sector.
• Advise international pathway providers on arrangements with universities and registration with the Office for Students.
• Handle safeguarding challenges and related litigation.
• Deliver data protection work with FOI, data breaches and data sharing.
• Advise around Freedom of Speech/No platforming and related litigation.
• Manage litigation from students as consumers.
• Provide regulatory guidance on mergers and acquisitions for education clients, including insolvencies and stress purchases.
• Advise educational institutions and charities on safeguarding obligations and investigations.
• Support leadership teams in safeguarding concerns involving staff, students, and volunteers.
• Contribute to sector thought leadership and client engagement initiatives.

Skills

Governance

Data protection

Higher Education policy

Investigations

Student matters

Commercial judgement

Stakeholder management

Job description

Overview

We are currently looking for a Senior Associate specialising in education law to join our team. The successful candidate would be located in one of our UK offices

This role provides strategic legal advice to higher education institutions, colleges,and related organisations on a broad range ofgovernance, student, regulatory, and data protection matters. The role requires a deep understanding of the education sector, supporting institutions through complexgovernance, safeguarding, and student-related challenges.

Responsibilities

• Support institutions in navigating regulatory and governance obligations affecting the education sector
• Advising international pathway providers on (a) their arrangements with universities, (b) registration with the Office for Students
• Safeguarding challenges and related litigation
• Data protection work together with freedom of Information, data breaches and data sharing
• Advice around Freedom of Speech/No platforming and related litigation
• Litigation from the student as a consumer
• Regulatory advice on mergers and acquisitions of clients in the education sector including with potential insolvencies and stress purchases
• Advise educational institutions and charities on safeguarding obligations and investigations.
• Support leadership teams in responding to historic and current safeguarding concerns involving staff, students, and volunteers.
• Contribute to sector thought leadership and client engagement initiatives

Essential & Desirable Criteria

• Interest and knowledge in Higher Education policy, developments in the sector, sector news etc.
• Minimum 6 years of post-qualification experience.
• SRA qualified (or other relevant qualification)
• Demonstrable track record advising higher education institutions, colleges, or other educational organisations.
• Strong expertise ingovernance, investigations, student matters, and data protection.
• Experience handling sensitive and high-profile matters involving senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial judgement and risk-management capability.
• Can commute into the office 50% of the time (we have a 50% hybrid working policy)

At our firm, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a priority and at the heart of everything we do. We actively want to attract a diverse workforce and welcome applications from everyone, from all backgrounds. We are committed to promoting an inclusive culture where everyone can be their full selves and experience being seen and heard. You can find out more about our firm’s commitment, initiatives and Pennclusion committeeshere.We ensure that there are equal opportunities and treatment for all job applicants and employees, at all stages of the recruitment process and employment, regardless of age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and social background. We aim to provide adjustments for people who have a disability, long-term health condition (including mental health) or neurodiversity. If you would like to request an adjustment, please [e-mail]