Paralegal

Role Title:  ParaLegal

Grade and Salary:  Grade 7, £37,964 - £47,389 per annum

FTE and working pattern:  Full-time (35hrs per week); Open-ended

Reward and Benefits :   33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff. Use our total rewards calculator: to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

Purpose of Role

This is a newly created role – and a rare opportunity to help shape and grow the University’s legal function. As our first Paralegal, you will play a key role in building efficient, modern legal processes and supporting a high impact in-house legal team.

The postholder will work closely with colleagues across academic schools, professional services, and external partners to support the drafting, review, and management of legal documentation and processes.

You can expect a varied and engaging workload spanning contracts, employment matters and property related work across a globally connected university.

This role offers a unique opportunity to join a developing in-house legal function, gain hands-on experience across a wide range of legal areas and to build your career within a globally recognised university.

About our Team

The roles of General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel sit within Heriot‑Watt University’s Office of the Principal. The Governance & Legal Services Directorate supports effective and accountable governance, compliance, and safety across all global campuses. The team provides legal advice, contract support, risk management, insurance oversight, business continuity planning, and compliance monitoring across the University’s operations.

The Paralegal will provide high-quality legal and administrative support to the General Counsel; Deputy General Counsel and the wider Assurance & Legal Services team. The role is based on-site at the University’s Edinburgh campus. Heriot-Watt is a truly global university, with Campuses across Scotland, Dubai and Malaysia. You will support work across multiple jurisdictions, cultures and regulatory environments, offering a unique opportunity to gain international experience in your career.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Legal Support

• Assist in drafting, reviewing, and preparing a wide range of legal documents, including:

  • commercial contracts

  • collaboration agreements

  • NDAs

  • consultancy agreements

  • studentship agreements

  • material transfer agreements

  • contracts for goods and services

  • Employment-related documentation (e.g. contracts, policies, correspondence)

  • Property and estates-related documentation (e.g. leases, licences).

• Conduct legal research on matters including in relation to higher education law, commercial law, data protection, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance.

• Support the legal teams in dispute resolution processes, including document collation, correspondence drafting, and case preparation.

Governance, Compliance & Risk

• Assist in interpreting legislation and regulatory updates relevant to the University and its global campuses.

• Support updates to internal policies, procedures, and guidance.

• Maintain accurate legal records, contract registers, and compliance documentation.

• Contribute to developing clear, practical guidance and tools to support colleagues in understanding legal and contractual obligations.

Operational & Administrative Support

• Coordinate contract workflows, approvals, and document execution.

• Prepare reports, briefings, and papers for internal governance committees and senior leadership.

• Liaise with internal stakeholders to support understanding of contractual obligations and legal processes, including assisting with training delivery.

• Support the assurance team with insurance and claims handling where required.

• Support the development of efficient, digitally enabled legal processes and systems, including document management and tracking tools.

Person Specification

These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made.

Essential

Education:

• A recognised Scots law paralegal or equivalent qualification. Law degree (LLB)would also be considered

Experience:

• Demonstrable experience working as a paralegal or legal assistant in a law firm, in-house team, or public-sector organisation. Administration roles, internships or placements are relevant.

• Experience drafting, reviewing, or managing legal documents and contracts.

• Experience conducting legal research and summarising findings clearly

Skills:

• Strong understanding of legal principles and terminology and willingness to develop expertise in contract, employment and property law as well as general commercial work.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• High attention to detail and accuracy in document handling.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise effectively, and meet deadlines.

• Strong organisational and record‑keeping skills.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and document management systems

• Excellent IT and digital skills, with confidence using and adapting to new systems and tools.

Attributes:

• Discretion and professionalism when handling confidential information.

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues at all levels.

• Proactive, curious solution focused approach, willingness to learn and take ownership. A self-starter with a can-do attitude.

• Motivation to build a career in an in-house environment.

• Interest in working in an international, values driven organisation with a diverse global community.

Desirable

• Experience working in a higher‑education, research, or public‑sector environment.

• Knowledge of data protection (UK GDPR), FOI, procurement rules, or intellectual property.

• Experience supporting dispute resolution or litigation processes.

• Familiarity with international contracts or multi‑jurisdictional legal issues (relevant due to HWU’s global campuses).

• Experience supporting insurance or risk‑management processes.

• Training or certification in compliance, risk, or contract management

• Interest in or exposure to employment law, property law or commercial contract.

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV

Applications can be submitted until 23:55 (UK time) on Sunday 20th September 2026.

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers .

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

Use our total rewards calculator: to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.