Legal Counsel in Carlisle

Working at the Cumberland you become part of something special. Were a Mutual organisation committed to improving the lives of our colleagues customers and community. Our values are incredibly important to us.

We’re on an exciting transformational journey with our people firmly at the forefront of our plans. If you want to work for a team integral in helping to drive cultural change a team where you can bring your whole self to work bringing your energy and creativity to make a positive difference then this is the job for you.

We’re looking for a highly motivated solicitor driven to deliver excellent outcomes beyond expectations as well as able to manage a busy workload. You will be confident operating on your own but also in utilising trainee solicitors to deliver effectively for our business. We will value your input and ideas so you will be able to think critically and use your own initiative to achieve a desired outcome. You’ll also be a team player and confident communicator with the ability to build effective and highly collaborative relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

The Benefits

• Salary between £53,814 p.a. to £75,167 p.a. depending on skills and experience.
• 25 days holiday plus public holidays, with the flexibility to buy and sell up to 3 days and additional holiday after 5 years.
• Learning and Development opportunities – we want you to grow in your role. We’ll work together to support your personal and professional development.
• Hybrid Working – the tools and equipment you need to be able to work from home when you need to depending on your role.
• Health and Wellbeing – a calendar of events and activities throughout the year, Mental Health & Wellbeing champions and Cycle to Work scheme.
• Community Day – we offer our people an extra paid day off every year to help local charities and community organisations.
• Flexible Working – we can provide the tools and equipment you need to be able to work flexibly or from home when you need to depending on your role.
• Pension Scheme – if you’re eligible we’ll enroll you into our competitive company pension scheme.
• Family Friendly – we pay competitive maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Social – we hold regular social events from annual staples like our Christmas party and quiz to smaller get‑togethers such as walks and shopping trips.

Main Responsibilities

• Providing general commercial legal advice across all levels of the Society ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulation and identifying and mitigating material legal risks.
• Drafting and negotiating commercial contracts including:
  • SAAS and general IT contracts including material outsourcing agreements;
  • Professional services consultancy and agency contracts;
  • Introducer agency and marketing agreements;
  • Data transfer and confidentiality agreements.
• Developing and maintaining precedent contracts and agreements.
• Developing and maintaining contract playbooks.
• Utilising trainee solicitors to deliver excellent client service, including training and upskilling them where appropriate.
• Liaise with and support the wider GLS team on other areas of law and legal advice when necessary and as appropriate.
• Deputising for the Head of Legal at relevant committees.

About you

• A solicitor qualified to practice in Scotland or England & Wales. As a guide we believe someone with reasonably significant post‑qualification experience would be suitable for this role but we would welcome applications from candidates of all experience levels (and the salary level reflects that candidates with a variety of experience / PQE may apply).
• A willingness to partner with business areas particularly procurement technology and marketing to become a trusted business advisor and one‑stop shop.
• Ability to manage your own workload working with support but under minimal supervision.
• An ability to work under pressure but having confidence in managing stakeholders expectations particularly around timing of deliverables.
• Previous experience of working in‑house or alternatively understanding the need for pragmatic and commercial advice to a client around contract risk.
• An understanding of previous experience of regulation relevant to financial services contracts such as material outsourcing requirements.
• A desire to learn and cross‑skill being interested in areas of law outside of your primary area of expertise.

Location

This is a legal role that is critical to the success of our transformation and future vision. We offer hybrid working where the successful applicant will be comfortable to work from our Head Office in Carlisle for 60% of their working week.

The Company

We’re here to create a banking experience that’s kinder to people and planet.

Unlike banks we don’t have public or private shareholders which means we can invest 100% of our profits back into our business. As a result our business is purpose‑led, financially strong, socially responsible and always focused on our people, planet and communities.