Job Title: Senior Legal Counsel

Contract Type: Permanent   

Location: Edinburgh, London or Alderley Edge

Working style: Hybrid 50% home/office based 

Closing date: 11th April 2024

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Legal Counsel - Pensions to join our highly regarded Legal Team. This role will complement a team of in-house lawyers who provide strategic legal advice, guidance, and support across the Royal London Group.

This newly created position offers a fantastic opportunity to provide legal advice on pensions transactions for the Royal London Group, join a high performing team and take on an exciting challenge. This position can be based in our Edinburgh, Alderley Edge, or London offices.

You will play a crucial role in providing expert legal advice and guidance on all matters related to bulk annuities and pensions de-risking transactions. You will be responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, managing legal risks, and supporting business operations with sound legal strategies.

As a senior member of our legal team, you will be instrumental in shaping our legal department and driving legal initiatives. Your comprehensive knowledge of financial services regulations, strong analytical skills, and ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner will be key to your success in this role.

The successful candidate will be a motivated and commercially focused legal professional, with a track record in providing legal advice on bulk annuities transactions. You will have strong knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations and be able to interpret complex legal issues and provide practical solutions. In addition, you will have excellent communication and negotiation skills, and be able to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

About the role

• Provide legal advice and support to various internal stakeholders on a range of pensions de-risking transactions and associated legal activity.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of legal documents, including bulk purchase agreements.
• Develop legal strategies and provide guidance on regulatory compliance and risk management.
• Manage and mitigate legal risks, identify potential issues, and provide proactive solutions.
• Collaborate with external legal counsel, as necessary, and in a cost-effective manner.
• Handle legal disputes, litigation cases, and other legal matters, including managing relationships with external parties.
• Participate in strategic decision-making processes, provide legal advice on business initiatives, and help drive overall business goals.

About you

• A qualified Solicitor from a Common Law jurisdiction who holds a current practising certificate.
• Practical experience covering a wide range of legal matters with strong understanding of commercial and legal issues associated with bulk annuities and pensions de-risking transactions.
• Solid awareness of the principles of corporate governance, FCA/PRA regulations, and impact on the RL Group.
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders and a proven track record working in a fast-moving environment. 
• Experience working in the Financial Services sector would be preferred. 

About Royal London

We’re the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions, and investment company, offering protection, long-term savings and asset management products and services.   

Our People Promise to our colleagues is that we will all work somewhere inclusive, responsible, enjoyable and fulfilling. This is underpinned by our Spirit of Royal London values; Empowered, Trustworthy, Collaborate, Achieve. 

We've always been proud to reward employees by offering great workplace benefits such as 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, an up to 14% employer matching pension scheme and private medical insurance. You can see all our benefits here - Our Benefits  

Inclusion, diversity and belonging 

We’re an Inclusive employer. We celebrate and value different backgrounds and cultures across Royal London. Our diverse people and perspectives give us a range of skills which are recognised and respected – whatever their background.