Senior Legal Counsel 12 month FTC in Bournemouth

About the Role

As a leading UK life and pensions mutual insurer with a proud history dating back to 1843, we exist to help people live financially confident lives, protecting their income while they work and maximising it when they stop. Today, over one million members and customers trust us to look after their futures, families and finances.

Joining us means becoming part of a team that puts our members, customers and advisers at the heart of everything we do. We're committed to creating an inclusive culture where colleagues can thrive. We are proud to have built a workplace where our colleagues feel welcomed, respected, supported and valued, reflected in our recognition as one of the Financial Times UK's Best Employers in 2025 and 2026. We celebrate individuality and believe our differences make us stronger, so bring your true self and help shape the future of LV=.

We're seeking a proactive, analytical Senior Legal Counsel for a 12-month contract to provide senior-level, commercially focused legal advice across LV= on commercial and corporate law, strategic transactions and complex commercial matters. You will be a key adviser on corporate and strategic commercial activity (including M&A, restructures, partnerships and investments), ensuring regulatory compliance and protecting member interests, while contributing to the leadership and strategic direction of the Legal function as a trusted partner to Executives and senior stakeholders. The role follows a hybrid working pattern, with attendance required at our Bournemouth office.

Key Responsibilities

• Under the guidance of and reporting to the Chief Legal Officer & Company Secretary:
• Draft, negotiate and advise on complex commercial agreements, joint ventures and outsourcing arrangements within a regulated insurance environment.
• Take a lead role and advise on corporate legal matters, including group structure, governance requirements, constitutional issues and inter-company agreements.
• Provide legal leadership on mergers, acquisitions, disposals, restructures and strategic partnerships, from early ideation to execution.
• Act as a senior legal adviser to the LV= business covering insurance and broader financial services laws, working closely with Risk, Compliance and Finance functions and Executive Team members.
• Provide pragmatic advice on legal risk within the UK regulatory landscape (including PRA/FCA expectations) as it relates to material commercial arrangements and corporate matters.
• Support interactions with regulators and external stakeholders on legally sensitive or high impact matters.
• Build trusted relationships with the senior leadership team, providing commercially grounded, solutions orientated legal advice.
• Proactively identify legal, governance and structural risks associated with strategic initiatives, corporate change and growth opportunities.
• Contribute to business decision making by balancing legal risk with commercial objectives.
• Collaborate with the Chief Legal Officer and existing Senior Legal Counsel on the strategic development of the Legal team.
• Provide coaching and technical support to Legal Counsel and other colleagues, embedding high standards and continuous development.
• Act as an escalation point for complex or high risk legal issues.
• Manage instructions to external legal advisers, ensuring high quality advice, value for money and effective cost control.
• Ensure legal governance, records, logs and approvals are maintained to required standards.
• Promote strong risk management practices and adherence to LV= policies and values.

About You

• Qualified solicitor in England & Wales (or equivalent).
• Significant post qualification experience in commercial and corporate law and practice ideally gained within, or advising, financial services and insurance organisations.
• Demonstrable experience of strategic commercial matters, M&A, corporate transactions and projects, including drafting, negotiation and execution.
• Highly commercial mindset, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear business advice.
• Proven ability to influence and advise at senior levels.
• Strong analytical judgement and attention to detail.
• Confident, credible communicator with the ability to challenge constructively.
• Collaborative, values led approach aligned to LV's mutual purpose and culture.
• Proactive, resilient and comfortable operating in complex, high impact environments.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, professional development and team capability building.

Desirable criteria

• In-house legal experience within an insurance, mutual or regulated financial services organisation.
• Strong understanding of the UK financial services and insurance regulatory environment.
• Experience managing external counsel and legal budgets.
• Experience supporting governance frameworks, Boards or Committees in a mutual or member focused organisation.
• Experience leading or contributing to business transformation, restructures or significant change programmes.

Rewards and Benefits

This role is a Band C in the LV= Structure. At LV= Savings and Retirement, you'll go above and beyond to do the right thing for our customers. We'll reward your hard work with an attractive, competitive salary and benefits package, which includes:

• 30 days' holiday, with the option to buy up to 5 additional days.
• Competitive pension scheme - LV= Life and Pensions will double-match the amount you pay, up to 14% (subject to National Minimum Wage requirements).
• An annual bonus scheme based on personal performance.
• Single-cover private medical insurance (with the option for you to upgrade to family cover).
• Flexible benefits, including a cycle to work scheme, personal accident insurance, critical illness cover and dental insurance.
• Up to 20% discount on our life products for you and your immediate family.
• A group life assurance policy with 4 x your basic pay to go to your dependents (you'll have the option to increase to 8 x cover).
• Group Income Protection (if you become a member of the Pension scheme and reach 5 years of service).
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for support when you need it.
• A virtual GP service.
• Shared parental leave.

Please note that we are unable to offer Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship for this role. Therefore, you must ensure that you are eligible to work in the UK without our sponsorship for your application to be considered.

We're proud of our inclusive culture at LV= and, as an equal-opportunity employer, we continually work to remove unconscious bias from our recruitment process. We value our colleagues for what they bring to our team regardless of any protected status or characteristics they may have. Talk to us about flexible working as part of your application; if it's right for you, our members and customers, and our business, then we'll do everything we can to make it happen.