Senior Legal Counsel

Purpose

Reporting directly to the Head of Legal, effective legal risk management in line with Group risk profile and strategic and financial objectives and with a focus on third party suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing, drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, and advising on the management of associated risks and regulatory considerations, including:
  • third party supplier agreements for all business areas (IT, data, services, outsourcing, HR, Marketing);
  • legal advice and deliverables for Change Management project delivery;
  • day to day advice and support on Group contracts, legal risks and resolution of queries and issues.

• Legal Team lead on supplier risk management and data protection, security and governance.
• Legal advice and support for protection of Group intellectual property portfolio, including management of trademark registrations and brand infringement monitoring and disputes.

• Actively contributing to continuous enhancement of legal risk management controls and reporting mechanisms, and Legal Team operations, policies and procedures.
• Contributing to Legal Team know-how, contract checklists and precedents.
• Close regular liaison with Risk and Compliance as necessary.
• Management of two direct reports within the Legal Team.
• Legal Team support / other as reasonably required by Head of Legal.

Skills

• Core contract review, drafting, negotiation and advice skillset: adapts review proportionately; identifies and escalates risks appropriately; proposes mitigation options; ensures high standards of drafting that protect client interests; confident with complex drafting.
• Highly organised. Able to manage competing priorities, and report on status, issues and steps, effectively.
• Problem solver. Solution-orientated. Proactive and pragmatic in risk and stakeholder management.
• Strong analytical skills. Verifies against drafting or other relevant sources. Plans, anticipates and manages issues and progress to achieve timelines and objectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills: clear, concise, tailored for relevant audience and their requirements; ability to provide suitable support to all levels of stakeholders.
• Consistently demonstrates commercial mindset, as well as process adherence, accuracy, attention to detail and thoroughness.
  

  Knowledge and experience

• Experienced commercial and technology lawyer, 5+ years’ PQE gained inhouse and/or with reputable firm.
• Expertise in commercial and contract law.
• Knowledge and experience of data protection and intellectual property law.
• Exposure to relevant FCA regulatory framework highly desirable.
• Proficient in use of Microsoft Office (especially Word) features.
• Experience with inhouse legal matter management solutions advantageous.

Qualifications

• UK qualified solicitor with strong academic background.
  

  Other relevant information

• As part of a small Legal team, flexible and adaptable personal style.

• Enthusiastic, professional, highly motivated team player.
• Culture carrier of 7IM vision, purpose, values and personality.