At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop the Group Lending Legal Team, providing expert legal oversight.
- Company: Join More2Life, a pioneering force in the Equity Release market since 2008.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a mission-driven team focused on helping over 55s live freely.
- Why this job: Shape lending policies and make a real impact on people's retirement journeys.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor with at least 7 years PQE in Residential Property.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We believe that helping people unlock a better retirement starts with helping everyone in our organisation unlock their true potential, and thrive. To do that, we’re mindful of staying true to the values that make us who we are, and proud of what we do.
More2Life, part of the Key Group of companies, has been a pioneering force in the Equity Release market since its launch in 2008. Our mission is to help over 55’s live their later life with freedom and peace of mind. We’re committed to achieving this mission by providing innovative, customer-focused lending solutions that meet the unique needs of those aged 55 or over and their families.
We are looking for a qualified Solicitor to lead and develop our Group Lending Legal Team. The legal team supports the lending function of our Group providing expert property legal advice, strategic guidance, and operational support across the full end-to-end lifecycle of lifetime mortgage products.
The Head of Group Lending Legal Team is a senior leadership role with primary responsibility for overseeing the property and conveyancing related legal aspects of lifetime mortgage lending within more2life, together with the provision of legal oversight on key contracts and commercial arrangements. The role plays a key strategic role in shaping lending policies, managing legal risk and providing oversight and direction on conveyancing related legal issues arising from secured lending activity.
The successful candidate will act as the senior legal authority for our lending division, ensuring regulatory compliance, legal risk management, operational excellence, and high-quality technical legal support to the wider business.
Main role & responsibilities:- As well as leading, mentoring and developing the legal team you will play a key role in providing legal leadership across the full lifetime mortgage cycle. Working closely with Underwriting, Risk, Compliance and Operations teams, you will provide expert legal oversight and strategic support across the business.
- Origination & Conveyancing
- Provide senior legal oversight of all legal property conveyancing related aspects of lifetime mortgage lending.
- Provide expert advice on complex conveyancing matters, including leasehold, title defects, estate rent charges and non-standard property issues, ensure processes align with regulatory requirements, lender policies, and industry standards.
- Post Completion
- Support the Servicing team on post completion activity including transfers of equity, part sale of land and service charge arrears.
- Instructing and managing external legal advisors on repossession litigation, providing clear advice to senior stakeholders on risk, progress and outcomes.
- Contract Support
- Drafting, reviewing and advising on a range of commercial contracts supporting the lending business, with a particular focus on supplier agreements.
- Providing legal advice on contractual risk, negotiating terms and ensuring agreements align with internal policies and commercial objectives.
- Working with Operations and the Head of Supplier Relationships to support effective supplier onboarding and ongoing contract management.
- Legal Risk & Governance
- Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks across the lending lifecycle.
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, regulation, and best practice.
- Contribute to governance frameworks, internal policies, and audit responses.
- Provide clear and pragmatic legal advice to senior stakeholders.
- Advise the business on legal risk, policy changes, and legislative developments affecting conveyancing and lifetime mortgage products.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a trusted legal adviser to senior leadership and key business stakeholders.
- Work collaboratively with Compliance, Risk, Operations, and Customer teams.
- Represent the legal function in internal forums, projects, and change initiatives.
- Continuous Improvement
- Drive process improvements and efficiencies within the legal function.
- Embed consistent standards, strong controls, and high-quality legal outcomes.
- Support transformation initiatives and growth of the lending business.
- Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with a minimum of 7 years PQE in Residential Property gained either in house or in private practice.
- Experience of drafting and negotiating commercial contracts.
- Ability to identify and communicate legal issues to a non-legal audience.
- Strong technical knowledge of conveyancing and mortgage-related legal work.
- Experience managing or leading legal teams.
- Strong commercial awareness and ability to provide pragmatic business-focused advice.
- Experience within lifetime mortgages, equity release or specialist lending is desirable.
Most of all we look for people who display and work around the core values of our business:
- Ambitious – to break ground to help our customers enjoy a better retirement.
- Supportive – relationships are key to everything we do.
- Personal – going above and beyond to offer exceptional service.
- Integrity – honest, true and transparent in all of our relationships.
- Responsive – whatever the challenge we’ll deliver the right result.
- Expert – experts in our field, our thirst for knowledge never stops.
Key Group: Our purpose is to help people finance a better retirement. Our mission is to be the UK's leading later life lending company. Our connected portfolio of brands comprises of Key (The adviser), Key Partnerships (The partner), more2life (The lender) and Air Group (The Coach).
Head of Group Lending Legal Team in Preston employer: Key Retirement Group Ltd
Contact Detail:
Key Retirement Group Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Group Lending Legal Team in Preston
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal and lending sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their mission to help over 55s live better lives. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your legal expertise and how it applies to the role of Head of Group Lending Legal Team. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at more2life. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Group Lending Legal Team in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Group Lending Legal Team role. Highlight your relevant experience in property law and leadership, and show us how you align with our values at more2life.
Showcase Your Expertise: We want to see your strong technical knowledge of conveyancing and mortgage-related legal work. Include specific examples of how you've navigated complex legal issues in your previous roles to demonstrate your expertise.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain your qualifications and experiences, making it easy for us to see why you're the perfect fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! This helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Key Retirement Group Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of lifetime mortgages and conveyancing law. Familiarise yourself with the latest regulations and industry standards, as well as any recent changes that could impact the role. This will show that you're not just qualified, but also genuinely interested in the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a senior role, they’ll be looking for someone who can lead and mentor a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, highlighting your approach to developing talent and driving performance. Be ready to discuss how you would foster a supportive and ambitious team culture.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and legal judgement. Think about potential challenges in the lending process and how you would address them. This is your chance to demonstrate your strategic thinking and ability to mitigate legal risks effectively.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
They value collaboration across departments, so be prepared to discuss how you would engage with various stakeholders like Compliance, Risk, and Operations. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with different teams in the past to achieve common goals, showcasing your communication and interpersonal skills.