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- Tasks: Lead the legal team, manage contracts, and ensure compliance with laws.
- Company: Hastings Direct is a digital insurance provider aiming to be the best in the UK market.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive bonuses, private medical insurance, and 27 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Join a supportive culture focused on growth, community, and personal development.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing legal teams and drafting commercial contracts is essential.
- Other info: We welcome diverse applicants and provide support throughout the recruitment process.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
At Hastings Direct, storing your data securely is very important to us. Welcome to Hastings Direct – We’re a digital insurance provider with ambitious plans to become the best and biggest in the UK market. We’ve made huge investments in our data and tech capabilities over the past few years, along with nurturing our 4Cs culture. We’re proud of the journey we’re on as a company and know that our continued success will rely on the contribution of our talented colleagues. We provide insurance for over three million customers, but we know there’s even bigger opportunity out there.
Role overview
This role will support the Chief Legal Officer in all areas of the Group Legal department’s duties and responsibilities, taking specific responsibility as directed and including:
- Setting and implementing the strategic and operational delivery of legal services to the business
- Prioritising and allocating work within the department
- Ensuring legal resource is appropriately skilled to support the business and performance management of the legal team members
- To be responsible for negotiating and advising on complex contractual, project and other legal issues within the business. A focus on data, IT, general insurance and intermediary/broker activities (personal lines), claims and outsourced services
Job details – you’ll need to have demonstrable experience in:
- Plans, directs and reviews (where appropriate) the Legal Department’s work, assigns work activities and responsibilities to appropriate personnel
- Reviewing and evaluating operational procedures and resources (including templates and legal advice), identifies and resolves issues and looks to continually improve delivery of the legal services
- Developing and training Legal Department personnel, establish performance requirements and developments goals, identifies and resolves personnel deficiency as appropriate
- Assisting with the development and delivery of legal education programme to all colleagues
- Keeping the company informed and up to date on new laws and regulation applicable to the business
- Drafting and negotiating commercial contracts with third parties and drafting and advising on policy terms
- Advising and resolving sensitive and complex contractual and legal inquiries and issues including litigation and communications with regulators
- Performing other duties to support the Chief Legal Officer as directed
Essential skills/experience:
- Previous experience in managing an in-house legal team and supporting legal operations
- A solid commercial experience of drafting and negotiating commercial contracts including data (PII) and software contracts
- Ability to build strong stakeholder relationships across the business
- Capability to use Office applications to a high standard including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and MS Teams
The interview process
Our interview process involves the below:
- Recruiter screening call
- Initial interview with hiring leader
- 2nd interview with hiring leader’s leader
As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are fully inclusive. We also welcome applications through the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS).
Benefits: in addition to a competitive salary and £6k car allowance you will also receive…
- Flexible working – we champion a flexible hybrid working approach
- Competitive bonus scheme - all colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus
- Physical wellbeing – Hastings pay for you to receive private medical Insurance (PMI)
- Financial wellbeing – providing you with 4x your salary with our life assurance cover, income protection at no extra cost, and matched pension contributions up to 10%
- Mental wellbeing programme – we have the thrive mental health app, our colleague assistance programme available 24/7
- 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell one of your weeks
- Access to our health care cash back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, Cycle to work and tech schemes
- Social events throughout the year
Join us and you’ll find a different way of doing things. We call it the 4Cs. We focus on getting it right for our colleagues, customers, company and community. At Hastings Direct, we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we encourage you to be open with us.
Head of Legal employer: Hastings Direct
Contact Detail:
Hastings Direct Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Legal
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Hastings Direct's culture and values, particularly the 4Cs. Understanding their focus on colleagues, customers, company, and community will help you align your responses during interviews and demonstrate that you're a good fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing legal teams and operations. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've improved legal service delivery or developed personnel, as this is crucial for the Head of Legal role.
✨Tip Number 3
Research recent changes in laws and regulations relevant to the insurance industry, especially those affecting data protection and commercial contracts. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show your proactive approach to staying informed.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees of Hastings Direct if possible. They can provide insights into the company culture and the expectations for the Head of Legal position, which can be invaluable during your interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in managing legal teams and your expertise in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in data protection and IT law, as these are crucial for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for Hastings Direct and their mission. Discuss how your background aligns with their needs, particularly in relation to the 4Cs culture and your ability to build strong stakeholder relationships.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on your previous roles that involved legal operations and team management. Mention any specific achievements or projects that showcase your ability to improve legal service delivery.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, thoroughly proofread your documents. Ensure there are no grammatical errors or typos, as attention to detail is essential in the legal field. Consider asking a friend or colleague to review your application for clarity and impact.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hastings Direct
✨Understand the Company Culture
Before your interview, take some time to research Hastings Direct's 4Cs culture. Familiarise yourself with their values and how they prioritise colleagues, customers, company, and community. This will help you align your answers with their ethos during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Legal Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing an in-house legal team and your familiarity with drafting and negotiating commercial contracts. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully navigated complex legal issues, especially in areas relevant to Hastings Direct like data protection and insurance.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Skills
Since the role requires building strong relationships across the business, think of instances where you've effectively collaborated with various stakeholders. Be ready to share how you’ve managed expectations and resolved conflicts in a legal context.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Prepare to discuss how you would handle sensitive legal inquiries or negotiate contracts under pressure. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
