Legal Counsel

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United Kingdom.

📋 Description

• Deliver practical and commercially-oriented legal advice and support across diverse business functions.

• Assist in the formulation and implementation of the organisation's Legal and Governance strategy.

• Provide guidance to senior stakeholders on legal, regulatory, governance, risk, and compliance issues.

• Monitor and evaluate legislative and regulatory changes, advising on their impact on the business.

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage commercial contracts.

• Support client due diligence, supplier assessments, revalidation processes, and third-party risk evaluations.

• Facilitate governance initiatives, regulatory investigations, reporting duties, compliance submissions, and regulatory communications.

• Create and maintain policies, procedures, controls, contract templates, precedents, and playbooks.

• Offer advice on anti-money laundering (AML), sanctions, financial crime, client onboarding, customer due diligence, and client acceptance processes.

• Review and authorize New Client Acceptance Forms and Suspicious Activity Reports.

• Design and deliver internal training programs on AML, financial crime, sanctions, and regulatory compliance.

• Assist with tax evasion prevention compliance, regulatory reporting, inspections, audits, and reviews.

• Oversee internal audits related to onboarding, customer due diligence, AML, sanctions, financial crime controls, and regulatory governance.

• Perform risk assessments and enhance legal, compliance, governance, and operational processes.

• Collaborate with colleagues, regulators, external partners, and stakeholders throughout the organisation.

• Foster a culture of accountability, ethical behavior, and regulatory compliance.

⛳️ Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Legal Executive, or possess an equivalent legal qualification.

• Extensive experience providing legal counsel in private practice or an in-house legal setting.

• Proven track record in governance, regulatory compliance, risk management, and legal operations.

• Strong understanding of commercial contracting and contract negotiation.

• Experience advising on regulatory and compliance issues within a regulated environment.

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Solid commercial awareness and business insight.

• Excellent written, verbal, and stakeholder communication skills.

• Capability to influence and establish credibility with senior leaders and stakeholders.

• Strong organizational skills, adept at managing competing priorities and deadlines.

• Experience in driving process enhancements and operational efficiency.

• Remarkable attention to detail and professional judgment.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

• Ability to work autonomously while effectively collaborating across teams.

• Willingness to travel to other office locations as needed.

• Desirable: experience in legal services, insurance, financial services, professional services, or another regulated sector.

• Desirable: specialized knowledge in anti-money laundering, sanctions, financial crime, and regulatory compliance frameworks.

• Desirable: experience supporting MLRO functions and managing Suspicious Activity Reports.

• Desirable: familiarity with data protection, privacy, and information governance requirements.

• Desirable: experience overseeing regulatory investigations, audits, and thematic reviews.

• Desirable: understanding of supplier governance, procurement, and third-party risk management.

• Desirable: experience in supporting significant business transformation or strategic initiatives.

🏝️ Benefits

• High levels of flexibility and an excellent work-life balance.

• A comprehensive remuneration package that includes private medical insurance, income protection insurance, and discounted gym membership.

• Opportunities for personal growth and career advancement, including professional funding support.

• Social events both in-person and remote.

• Chance to participate in a variety of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives.