Legal Counsel – Commercial

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

📋 Description

• Deliver high-quality, commercially oriented, and practical legal counsel across the Group's business activities.

• Assist in the negotiation, drafting, and management of commercial agreements, including supplier contracts, outsourcing, and technology arrangements.

• Offer legal support for data-related issues, custody and dealing arrangements, investment manager and discretionary fund manager relationships, as well as distribution agreements.

• Provide advice to stakeholders on routine matters, strategic initiatives, proposition development, and regulatory change projects.

• Oversee legal matters autonomously from inception to completion.

• Cultivate strong relationships with stakeholders and collaborate with colleagues within the Legal team and the broader organization.

• Serve as a primary Legal contact for commercial issues across the Group.

• Draft, review, negotiate, and provide counsel on supplier agreements, regulatory outsourcing, software and technology contracts, intragroup agreements, consultancy contracts, and data-related documents.

• Facilitate vendor management and outsourcing initiatives, ensuring that third-party arrangements are properly structured, documented, and governed.

• Advise on contractual risks, governance, operational resilience, and legal responsibilities arising from supplier relationships.

• Engage and supervise external legal advisors when specialized support is necessary.

• Monitor legal, regulatory, and market trends, providing actionable guidance.

• Create and maintain commercial contract templates, playbooks, guidance notes, and precedent documentation.

• Assist with strategic projects, business transformation initiatives, procurement activities, and corporate transactions.

• Support legal matters related to investment platforms, including custody, dealing, settlement, and distribution agreements.

• Draft and negotiate contracts with discretionary fund managers, investment managers, fund groups, custodians, and other financial services entities.

• Aid in product launches, proposition enhancements, and strategic commercial initiatives.

• Identify legal and regulatory risks and assist stakeholders in providing practical, risk-based solutions.

• Promote continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, team resilience, and collective success.

⛳️ Requirements

• Qualified solicitor eligible to practice in England & Wales or Scotland.

• Approximately 5+ years of post-qualification experience (PQE) or equivalent expertise.

• Significant experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts.

• Experience in advising on supplier, outsourcing, technology, and service agreements.

• Familiarity with data protection issues within a commercial contracting context.

• In-house or experience within financial services, fintech, or another regulated setting is advantageous but not mandatory.

• Background in substantial outsourcing arrangements is beneficial but not essential.

• Experience in negotiating investment management, custody, and dealing agreements is advantageous but not necessary.

• Proven track record supporting strategic projects, business transformation efforts, and stakeholder decision-making.

• Experience in maintaining precedents, templates, playbooks, or guidance documentation.

• Strong organizational abilities with the capacity to manage multiple matters concurrently.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and other business systems used for managing legal workloads and documentation.

• Excellent skills in commercial contracting, including drafting, negotiation, and risk evaluation.

• Strong legal judgment and the ability to balance legal risks with commercial and operational goals.

• Capability to manage a diverse workload independently and prioritize competing demands effectively.

• Exceptional stakeholder management, negotiation, influencing, and communication skills.

• Commercial awareness and comprehension of Legal's role in achieving business objectives.

• Keen attention to detail with a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach.

• Collaborative working style and a mindset geared towards continuous improvement.

• Demonstrate integrity while fostering an open, inclusive, collaborative, and accountable culture.

🏝️ Benefits

• Non-contributory pension.

• Bonus program.

• Enhanced parental leave.

• Paid time off for emergencies.

• Health and wellbeing initiatives.

• Flexible working options.