Legal Counsel – Digital & Technology | S3 | Legal | Multiple Locations in Milton Keynes

Country: United Kingdom

IT STARTS HERE

Santander is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organisation, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible.

This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference. Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a robust risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Santander UK is looking for a Legal Counsel based out of London or Milton Keynes. The Legal Counsel role sits within the wider Digital, Technology & Operations Legal team, which advises on Digital, Technology, Operations, Infrastructure, Payments, Data Privacy and Intellectual Property.

In this high-profile role, you’ll be drafting, negotiating and advising on outsourcing (including material outsourcing) agreements as well as assisting on other technology and digital contracts, including cloud agreements, software licenses, services agreements and intra-group arrangements (this includes advising on the regulatory regimes that apply to such transactions).

If you’ve performed a similar role previously, this could be a great opportunity to develop your career.

We’re shaping the way we work through innovation, cutting-edge technology, collaboration and the freedom to explore new ideas. To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:

• Providing strategic advice to the relevant business teams to support with structuring and implementing innovation and technology projects (including the development of customer facing apps, AI and payment functionality);
• Working closely with senior stakeholders in the Bank to deliver expert, accurate, concise, commercial and cost-effective legal advice that is readily understandable to non-lawyers;
• Demonstrating creativity and innovation in reaching practical solutions on complex subject matters and be comfortable challenging when appropriate to ensure compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements;
• Sharing technical skills, experience and best practice with colleagues and the wider business and support other departments through training and the development of legal templates and checklists;
• Keeping abreast of external developments in the law and financial services industry to enable Santander UK to react appropriately and in line with best practice, continuously seeking to improve processes, practices and policies;
• Answering legal queries from internal customers as well as managing external suppliers/stakeholders to successfully deliver advice, projects and other outcomes on a timely basis.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us greater as a team and as an organisation. We’re enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring.

The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Experience providing legal advice that is readily understandable to non-lawyers (Required)
• Excellent knowledge and experience of outsourcing, digital, technology and commercial contract law (Required)
• Excellent knowledge of the regulatory regime impacting outsourcing in financial services, for example the Prudential Regulation Authority’s (PRA) Supervisory Statement on Outsourcing and Third Party Risk Management (SS2/21) (Required)
• Ability to manage and influence stakeholders (Required).
• Experience dealing with a large volume of matters and competing demands (Preferred)
• Excellent project management skills, with an ability to manage multiple, conflicting interests and deadlines (Preferred).

WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT

At Santander, your contribution matters. We recognise the difference you make every day, and we make sure you feel valued, supported and rewarded in return.

Here, recognition goes beyond pay. It’s about the pride you feel in your work, the impact you have on customers and communities, and the opportunities you have to grow and thrive — personally and professionally.

• 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, which increases to 31 days after 5 years service, with the option to purchase up to 5 contractual days per year
• £6,000 car allowance per year
• Company funded individual private medical insurance
• Protection for you and your family, with company-funded death-in-service benefit and income protection insurance, and the option to take advantage of discounted rates for additional life assurance and critical illness cover.
• Share in Santander’s success by saving or investing in our share plans. As a Santander UK employee, you are able to request staff versions of our products like our Edge Current Accounts and Credit Cards with no fees, as well as apply to many other deals and discounts in Santander products and services
• Competitive rewards that reflect the real impact you make and the value you bring.
• Wellbeing that goes beyond work — we work with a range of wellbeing partners across our 4 pillars of wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial) to give you access to a suite of apps, discounted gym and fitness access, weekly online classes, flexible healthcare and mental health support.
• Support for every life stage — from menopause and pregnancy to parenthood and beyond, with enhanced family leave, childcare options and tailored wellbeing support.
• Time to give back through volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference in the communities we serve.
• Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what’s possible across our international network.

Ready to be recognised? It starts with you.

LOCAL COMPLIANCE

At Santander, we’re proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone — regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation.

We’re committed to creating a recruitment experience that’s accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates. We want our people to thrive — at work and at home — while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow.

To make this possible, our roles are site-based with a hybrid working pattern, where colleagues are expected to attend the office at least 12 days per month (pro-rata for part-time roles). When applying, please consider the travel distance, time and cost to your chosen office location(s).

Right to work in the UK

All candidates must have the right to work in the UK to commence employment with Santander.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply. If there’s anything we can do in the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, get in touch. Whether it’s a copy of our application form in another format or additional assistance, we’re available through email. You can contact us at resourcing@santander.co.uk.