Licensing Solicitor (NQ+)

Foot Anstey

Job Title: Legal PA – Licensing  Ready to take your career to the next level? We’re one of the UK’s most forward-thinking law firms, built on a foundation of innovation, collaboration, and ambition. Join us, and let’s shape the future together. Being refreshingly human starts with how we hire. We believe a diverse mix of perspectives makes us stronger - not just as a business, but in creating a culture where we all feel we truly belong and can thrive. That’s why we’re committed to removing barriers and creating fair opportunities for everyone. * We are in a period of exclusive direct sourcing for this role and are not currently accepting applications from recruitment agencies. ________________________________________ The role in 60 seconds * Role: Legal PA * Team: Licensing – Foot Anstey McKees * Location: Belfast * Working Pattern: Full-time * Why it matters: Being a part of a team with ambitious growth plans, you'll play a pivotal role delivering essential secretarial and administrative assistance that contributes directly to the group’s success. ________________________________________ What you'll do: In this role, you’ll:  * Provide day-to-day administrative and secretarial support to the legal team. * Prepare, format and amend documents, correspondence and reports using Microsoft Office. * Assist with digital filing, document management and maintaining accurate records. * Assist with opening new matters and completing administrative processes in line with firm procedures. * Support colleagues with a range of administrative tasks and learn new systems and processes. ________________________________________ What we’re looking for * Previous administrative or secretarial experience is desirable but not essential. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills. * Good organisational skills and strong attention to detail. * A working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel. * A positive attitude with a willingness to learn and develop. * The ability to prioritise work and build effective working relationships. * A professional, reliable and flexible approach. ________________________________________ What if I don't tick every box? We're not box tickers. We appreciate the need for everyone to find a role that challenges them and gives them room for growth. If you bring transferable skills and a fresh perspective, we’d love to hear from you. If this role excites you and you have the skills to succeed, we encourage you to apply. ________________________________________ Join a seriously ambitious firm At Foot Anstey McKees, we’re committed to making a difference for our people, our clients, and society. Here’s what makes us stand out: * An ambitious growth strategy that opens up opportunities for our people to make their mark. * A client base that spans household names, thriving startups, and ambitious enterprises. * A culture built on our values of being refreshingly human, entrepreneurial, inclusive and collaborative. * A strong focus on being a responsible business with a commitment to sustainability and giving back to our communities. * Comprehensive professional development and training – whatever your role and level we have training that will support you to achieve your goals. * In June 2025 McKees joined forces with Foot Anstey enabling us to better support our clients and create more opportunities for our employees. ________________________________________ Progressive benefits tailored to you We believe our people are our greatest asset. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional growth and personal wellbeing, including: * Competitive salary and performance-linked bonus. * Employee sabbaticals * Enhanced parental leave policies. * Private healthcare and wellbeing initiatives (e.g., mental health support, gym memberships). * An open, flexible working environment. ________________________________________ Ready to apply?  * Hit the "Apply Now" button. * Send us your CV and a quick note on why this role is perfect for you. * Our team will review your application and be in touch, whatever the outcome. * Invited for interview? * With a straightforward process typically involving two interviews, our talent acquisition team will guide you through every step, ensuring you feel confident and prepared to show us what you can do. * We’re here to support your individual needs. If you require any adaptations or adjustments, we’re more than happy to accommodate these. Before your interview, we’ll contact you to discuss the themes we’ll cover and answer any questions you might have. * If you’d like to visit our offices prior to your interview or would like help testing your kit for your virtual interview, just let us know. Let’s make your next career move the start of something extraordinary.

Financial Times

About us The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide. At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world. In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing. Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere. Build a newsworthy career at the FT.   Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion  We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.   The Role The Financial Times is recruiting for maternity cover for one of the commercial contracts lawyer roles based at our office in Belfast, Northern Ireland OR based fully remotely anywhere in the UKThis is a three month fixed term maternity cover position, and we are looking for someone available for an immediate start. This is a salaried position.  The FT’s highly regarded in-house legal team is based across offices in both London and Belfast. The Belfast team currently comprises four commercial lawyers who report into a Senior Legal Counsel (also based in Belfast) and the FT’s deputy company secretary. The Belfast legal team provides dedicated support to important business divisions within the Financial Times, including the FT corporate subscriptions and licensing business, the Financial Times Live global conferences and events business (http://www.ft-live.com), FT’s thought leadership business, FT Longitude, and the FT Specialist range of titles. This fixed term contract provides the opportunity to work either fully remotely from anywhere in the UK, or as hybrid working based at either our Belfast or London office.    Key responsibilities  * Advising the business on contracts with clients from a wide range of industries and jurisdictions * Engaging directly in negotiating contract terms with external customers * Providing highly responsive and commercial advice  * Managing contracts which are usually based on standard templates, but can be subject to extensive negotiation * Understanding how the templates reflect the FT’s business model and updating templates as required to meet changing business needs and product developments * Delivering training to business partners * Using leading legal AI tools to develop and implement agentic solutions that streamline workflows and enhance the delivery of high-quality legal advice    Required skills and experience  Essential * Solicitor qualified in the UK. * Excellent verbal and written communication skills * Strong commercial contract drafting skills and legal knowledge, with a good understanding of copyright, licensing, indemnity and liability issues * Demonstrates commercial awareness that takes strategic objectives into account * Highly organised, flexible and with the ability to prioritise and keep colleagues and managers informed * Can build effective relationships within the legal team and wider business Desirable * Previous in-house experience. * A forward-thinking approach to legal practice, with a strong interest in—or practical experience of—utilising advanced legal AI tools to design workflows and agentic solutions that improve efficiency.    What’s in it for you? Our benefits Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here. We currently operate a hybrid model which requires staff to work onsite 50% of the time, subject to role requirements & regular review. While flexible working requests will be considered, not all patterns are suitable for all roles. We believe this balanced approach supports flexibility and protects our culture, making collaboration and communication easier, building stronger relationships and team cohesion, and supporting peer learning.  We reserve discretion on reasonable notice to change this approach either generally or for specific individuals or teams.   Accessibility We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.   Further information At the FT, we embrace innovation and the use of technology and appreciate that individuals may leverage AI tools as part of their job application process. Whilst we are happy for you to use AI to assist with your application, it is essential that all information provided is authentic and accurately represents your skills, experience, and qualifications. Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process may be monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all. Please beware of fraudulent job postings and offers claiming to be from the Financial Times. All legitimate opportunities will direct you to apply through the official Financial Times careers site, and the FT will never ask for financial information, payments, or referrals to third parties during the hiring process. If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of a job posting or suspect any scam activity, please contact talent@ft.com.  Interested in the FT but don’t see the right role yet? Join our Talent Community to receive exclusive updates, featured jobs, and insights into working at the FT.   #LI-NE1

Financial Times

About us The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide. At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world. In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing. Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere. Build a newsworthy career at the FT.   Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion  We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.   The Role The Financial Times is recruiting for maternity cover for one of the commercial contracts lawyer roles based at our office in Belfast, Northern Ireland OR based fully remotely anywhere in the UKThis is a three month fixed term maternity cover position, and we are looking for someone available for an immediate start. This is a salaried position.  The FT’s highly regarded in-house legal team is based across offices in both London and Belfast. The Belfast team currently comprises four commercial lawyers who report into a Senior Legal Counsel (also based in Belfast) and the FT’s deputy company secretary. The Belfast legal team provides dedicated support to important business divisions within the Financial Times, including the FT corporate subscriptions and licensing business, the Financial Times Live global conferences and events business (http://www.ft-live.com), FT’s thought leadership business, FT Longitude, and the FT Specialist range of titles. This fixed term contract provides the opportunity to work either fully remotely from anywhere in the UK, or as hybrid working based at either our Belfast or London office.    Key responsibilities  * Advising the business on contracts with clients from a wide range of industries and jurisdictions * Engaging directly in negotiating contract terms with external customers * Providing highly responsive and commercial advice  * Managing contracts which are usually based on standard templates, but can be subject to extensive negotiation * Understanding how the templates reflect the FT’s business model and updating templates as required to meet changing business needs and product developments * Delivering training to business partners * Using leading legal AI tools to develop and implement agentic solutions that streamline workflows and enhance the delivery of high-quality legal advice    Required skills and experience  Essential * Solicitor qualified in the UK. * Excellent verbal and written communication skills * Strong commercial contract drafting skills and legal knowledge, with a good understanding of copyright, licensing, indemnity and liability issues * Demonstrates commercial awareness that takes strategic objectives into account * Highly organised, flexible and with the ability to prioritise and keep colleagues and managers informed * Can build effective relationships within the legal team and wider business Desirable * Previous in-house experience. * A forward-thinking approach to legal practice, with a strong interest in—or practical experience of—utilising advanced legal AI tools to design workflows and agentic solutions that improve efficiency.    What’s in it for you? Our benefits Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here. We currently operate a hybrid model which requires staff to work onsite 50% of the time, subject to role requirements & regular review. While flexible working requests will be considered, not all patterns are suitable for all roles. We believe this balanced approach supports flexibility and protects our culture, making collaboration and communication easier, building stronger relationships and team cohesion, and supporting peer learning.  We reserve discretion on reasonable notice to change this approach either generally or for specific individuals or teams.   Accessibility We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.   Further information At the FT, we embrace innovation and the use of technology and appreciate that individuals may leverage AI tools as part of their job application process. Whilst we are happy for you to use AI to assist with your application, it is essential that all information provided is authentic and accurately represents your skills, experience, and qualifications. Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process may be monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all. Please beware of fraudulent job postings and offers claiming to be from the Financial Times. All legitimate opportunities will direct you to apply through the official Financial Times careers site, and the FT will never ask for financial information, payments, or referrals to third parties during the hiring process. If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of a job posting or suspect any scam activity, please contact talent@ft.com.  Interested in the FT but don’t see the right role yet? Join our Talent Community to receive exclusive updates, featured jobs, and insights into working at the FT.   #LI-NE1