Senior Legal Counsel: Strategic M&A & Insurance Contracts in London

As an integral member of our small team, the Senior Legal Counsel will work on a broad range of issues, including corporate projects, commercial, regulatory and insurance matters. Depending on the candidate’s experience and interest, there is also the opportunity to be involved in a broad range of work including legal operations and technology, disputes and novel risks. We will support and encourage your ongoing development and training, both legal and commercial.

Who we are:

We are a lean and actively engaged in-house legal department, supporting the International division of Markel across our businesses in the London Market, the UK, Asia Pacific, Europe and Canada. All our lawyers joined us from highly regarded law firms or in-house teams and are committed to excellent standards of work and client service. The team supports a wide range of corporate and business activities, lending variety and challenge to our working lives. We focus on the high risk and high value areas where we can add most strategic benefit, helping our clients navigate challenges and enable opportunities. We keep a hybrid work schedule and are committed to working flexibly in a way that works for individual team members. We aim to be an inclusive and encouraging team where lawyers can grow and flourish.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead on strategic corporate projects, including M&A, strategic distribution partnerships, outsourcing and new product/market entry. Working through legal implications and also coordinating cross-functional project teams.
• Review, negotiate and agree other commercial and insurance-related contracts (such as high-value supplier agreements, additional broker remuneration agreements, and insurance distribution agreements).
• Be open to learning about different areas of the law as required, and directly support a wide range of internal stakeholders.
• Be the link between our business and external lawyers, in the UK and in jurisdictions around the world.
• Be willing to experiment and innovate with tech-based legal solutions.
• Analyse the impact to the business of UK and international legislative and regulatory developments.

Key Skills:

• The successful candidate will be a 5+ PQE qualified lawyer. Ideally, working in private practice insurance or corporate team or in the in-house legal team of an insurance company, although we would consider applications from lawyers working in other regulated industries.
• Be confident drafting and negotiating commercial contracts without supervision.
• Be adept at leading and delivering projects, able to work autonomously and take initiative. Able to consistently keep others organised and on track.
• Be able to lead a mixed portfolio of work, adjusting according to changing priorities.
• Be a confident, clear and concise communicator. Able to engage with stakeholders at all levels, translating legal ideas to a real-world context.
• Be an excellent team player, contributing to our congenial work environment. Support the development of more junior attorneys.
• Pick up new concepts quickly, learn efficiently and be willing to take on additional responsibility.
• Be flexible, pragmatic and ready to solve problems. Someone intent on excellence, but able to recognise when done is better than perfect. A collaborative team player.
• Embrace change, new technologies and different methods.

What’s in it for you?

• A great starting salary plus annual bonus & strong benefits package.
• Up to 16% company pension scheme.
• Private medical and dental cover, Menopause plan, emergency care benefit (children/Pets/dependants).
• Income protection, Life assurance, electric car scheme, travel insurance.
• 25 days paid holiday plus Bank Holidays, with the opportunity to buy/sell extra leave.
• As well as other great benefits on offer there are countless opportunities to learn new skills and develop in your career!

Are you ready to play your part?

If you’re looking for a place where you can make a meaningful difference, you’ve found it. The work we do at Markel gives people the confidence to move forward, reach their full potential and seize opportunities. You’ll find your fit amongst our diverse global community of optimists and problem-solvers. We’re always pushing each other to think further because we believe that when we strive for better and realise our potential, we can help others reach theirs.

Join us and play your part in something special!

At Markel we are all about the people, celebrating the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you. We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns.

We will ensure that individuals are provided with any reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful.