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- Tasks: Lead legal advice on commercial contracts and mentor a small team.
- Company: Join Aegon, a company dedicated to helping people live their best lives through financial services.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and lifestyle perks like retail discounts and private medical cover.
- Why this job: Be part of a collaborative culture that values diversity and makes a real impact in the financial sector.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with experience in high-value commercial matters and effective communication skills.
- Other info: Hybrid work model requires 40% office presence; applications close on 25 April 2025.
The predicted salary is between 69760 - 104640 £ per year.
Senior Legal Counsel (Commercial Contracts) 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 £69,760- £104,640 depending on the experience you can bring
Closing date: 25 April 2025
We are looking for a Senior 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 large employers for pension schemes
As Senior Legal Counsel, you will provide direction to the business by providing legal and technical advice, guidance and recommendations to inform business decisions. You will also support Aegon UK in fulfilling our business aims in connection with commercial matters including high value and strategically important work. You will also manage a small team; responsible for line management and mentoring.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Providing legal and technical advice to all levels within Aegon UK, including at Executive Level, on commercial matters.
- Drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and liaising with all areas of our business as appropriate.
- Ensuring that the Group's contractual documentation is of the appropriate standard and that effective policies are in place for commercial legal input and for legal agreements.
- Selecting, appointing and managing external advisers to ensure the provision of legal and technical advice on commercial matters.
- Leading and assisting with team and departmental initiatives including the development of colleagues.
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).
- A proven track record of working on high value, strategic matters with a high degree of autonomy.
- Experience in providing advice following analysis of complex situations, and after taking account of multiple sources of information.
Additional Desirable Criteria for this vacancy includes:
- Knowledge of savings and pensions industry
- Commercial legal experience of the financial services industry, gained either in-house or in private practice.
- Experience leading a team.
What’s in it for you?
- A non-contributory pension between 8%-12%
- A discretionary bonus, depending on personal and company performance
- 38 days' leave per year (including bank holidays), pro-rated for part-time
- Private medical cover, life assurance, critical illness cover, enhanced parental leave and a variety of lifestyle benefits.
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.
Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their age, disability, race, religion/belief, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Senior Legal Counsel (Commercial Contracts) | Edinburgh, UK employer: Aegon N.V.
Contact Detail:
Aegon N.V. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Counsel (Commercial Contracts) | Edinburgh, UK
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Aegon's values and mission. Understanding our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion will help you align your responses during interviews and demonstrate that you're a good cultural fit for the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees in the legal field, especially those who have worked in commercial contracts. They can provide insights into the role and the company culture, which can be invaluable during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific high-value contracts you've worked on in the past. Be ready to explain your approach to negotiation and how you navigated complex legal situations, as this will showcase your expertise and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your leadership experience by preparing examples of how you've mentored or managed a team. Highlighting your ability to guide others will be crucial, as the role involves managing a small team within the Commercial Contracts department.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel (Commercial Contracts) | Edinburgh, UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in commercial contracts and legal counsel. Emphasise your qualifications as a solicitor or advocate, and include specific examples of high-value work you've managed.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and the company. Mention your effective communication skills and how you can provide legal advice at all levels, particularly to executive management.
Highlight Leadership Experience: If you have experience leading a team, make sure to mention it. Discuss your approach to mentoring and developing colleagues, as this is a key responsibility of the role.
Showcase Industry Knowledge: Demonstrate your knowledge of the savings and pensions industry, as well as your experience in the financial services sector. This will help you stand out as a candidate who understands the specific challenges and requirements of the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Aegon N.V.
✨Showcase Your Legal Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of commercial law and contracts in detail. Highlight specific cases or projects where you've successfully navigated complex legal issues, especially those relevant to the financial services industry.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As this role involves managing a small team, be ready to share examples of your leadership experience. Discuss how you've mentored colleagues or led initiatives that improved team performance or collaboration.
✨Communicate Effectively
Effective communication is key for this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when explaining complex legal concepts. Tailor your communication style to suit different audiences, including executive-level stakeholders.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about how you would approach high-value, strategic matters and be ready to explain your thought process and decision-making criteria.
