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- Tasks: Join our team as Legal Counsel, focusing on commercial contracts and providing legal advice.
- Company: Aegon is a dynamic company dedicated to helping people with pensions, savings, and investments.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, private medical cover, and lifestyle perks.
- Why this job: Be part of a collaborative culture that values diversity and makes a real impact.
- Qualifications: You need to be a qualified solicitor or advocate with strong communication skills.
- Other info: This role requires in-office presence 40% of the time in Edinburgh.
The predicted salary is between 57600 - 86400 £ per year.
Permanent
Location: Edinburgh (We believe in the power of in-person collaboration, and our hybrid model requires colleagues to be in the office a minimum of 40% of their time)
Salary: A competitive salary from £57,600 - £86,400 depending on the experience you can bring
Closing date: 25 April 2025
We are looking for a Legal Counsel to join the Commercial Contracts team in our Legal department in Edinburgh. Aegon UK's Legal department provides legal and technical advice and assistance to help fulfil our business aims and meet regulatory requirements.
Our Commercial Contracts team are responsible for:
- Commercial legal arrangements with funds and other financial institutions
- Supplier contracts
- The commercial legal aspects of onboarding of large employers for pension schemes
In this role you will build and maintain relationships with colleagues throughout Aegon UK, providing legal advice and counsel. You will use your commercial contract expertise to provide assistance with the provision of legal opinion and recommendations that support the commercial decision making process for our business.
Responsibilities include:
- Providing legal and technical advice on commercial matters to all levels within Aegon UK by liaising with appropriate areas of our business on commercial matters in a risk aware, solution focused, commercial way, effectively minimising the need for external legal advice.
- Drafting and negotiation of commercial contracts.
- Assisting with other commercial projects which may involve restructurings and other corporate activity.
- Helping to ensure that the Group's contractual documentation is of the appropriate standard.
- When appropriate, liaising with external advisers to ensure the provision of legal and technical advice on commercial matters to help the Group fulfil its business aims.
- Assist with team and departmental initiatives including development.
We'd love to hear from you if you have:
- Effective communication skills and an ability to advise, and relate to, all levels of our business, up to and including executive and senior management.
- Knowledge of the law and technical requirements relating to commercial issues and contracts.
- Qualification as a solicitor or advocate/barrister in either Scotland or England (or both).
- Experience carrying out complex research and apply this to business specific requirements.
- Confidence in providing advice following analysis of complex situations, and after taking account of multiple sources of information.
- The ability to assist with high value, strategic matters and to plan and prioritise own work.
Additional Desirable Criteria for this vacancy includes:
- Knowledge of the savings and pensions industry
- Commercial legal experience of the financial services industry, gained either in-house or in private practice.
What's in it for you?
- A non-contributory pension between 8%-12%
- A discretionary bonus, depending on personal and company performance
- 36 days' leave per year (including bank holidays), pro-rated for part-time
- We also offer private medical cover, life assurance, critical illness cover, enhanced parental leave and a variety of lifestyle benefits to help our employees live their best lives, including retail discount vouchers, cycle2work scheme, subsidised restaurant and online GP appointments.
The legal bits
We'll need you to confirm you have the right to work in the UK. If we offer you a job and you accept, there are some checks we need to complete before you can start with us. This will include a credit and criminal record check, as well as providing satisfactory references.
Legal Counsel (Commercial Contracts) employer: Aegon UK
Contact Detail:
Aegon UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel (Commercial Contracts)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Aegon's values and mission. Understanding our commitment to collaboration, diversity, and inclusion will help you align your responses during interviews and demonstrate that you're a good cultural fit.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Aegon, especially those in the Legal department. They can provide insights into the team dynamics and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your knowledge of commercial contracts and the financial services industry, particularly in relation to pensions and savings. Being able to discuss recent developments or challenges in these areas will show your expertise and interest.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare examples from your past experience where you've successfully navigated complex legal situations or provided strategic advice. This will help you illustrate your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure during the interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel (Commercial Contracts)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in commercial contracts and legal advice. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with various levels of management, as this is crucial for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the position and the company. Mention your qualifications as a solicitor or advocate/barrister and how your background aligns with Aegon's values of collaboration and problem-solving.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on your experience in the financial services industry and any complex research you've conducted. Highlight your ability to provide legal opinions and recommendations that support business decisions.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. Ensure that your writing is clear and professional, reflecting the high standards expected in a legal role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Aegon UK
✨Know Your Commercial Contracts
Brush up on your knowledge of commercial contracts, especially those relevant to the financial services industry. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you successfully negotiated or drafted contracts.
✨Demonstrate Effective Communication Skills
Since the role requires advising all levels of the business, practice articulating complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner. Think of scenarios where you've had to explain legal matters to non-legal colleagues.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Prepare to discuss how you've approached complex legal issues in the past. Highlight your ability to analyse situations and provide practical solutions that align with business objectives.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Aegon's Values
Research Aegon’s mission and values, particularly their focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Be ready to share how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their collaborative culture.
