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- Tasks: Join a dynamic legal team supporting asset management with exciting projects.
- Company: Standard Life, a leading financial services company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £75,000, flexible working, 38 days leave, and private medical cover.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing team while developing your legal skills.
- Qualifications: Strong legal drafting skills and experience in investment agreements.
- Other info: Inclusive environment welcoming diverse backgrounds and offering excellent career growth.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 75000 £ per year.
Job Type: Permanent
Location: This role could be based in either our Birmingham, Edinburgh or London offices with time spent working in the office and at home.
Flexible working: All roles are open to part-time, job-share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process.
Closing Date: 15/04/2026
Salary and benefits: Starting from £75,000 doe plus an indicative bonus range of 16-32%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more.
The role: This is an excellent opportunity for a lawyer to join as a Legal Counsel on a permanent basis primarily supporting the Standard Life Asset Management team, which has responsibility for overseeing the management of the Group’s assets which are in excess of £290 billion. This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly motivated legal team. This role demands high energy and self-confidence as well as pragmatism and curiosity to learn. It offers the opportunity to develop your knowledge and legal skills alongside a creative and growing function that is seeking to build a best in class in‑house asset management team, which includes expanding its internal team’s capacity for sourcing and managing direct illiquid asset origination as a complement to mandates with external investment managers.
What are we looking for?
- Excellent legal document drafting and negotiation skills.
- Experience of advising on and negotiating on investment services agreements such as investment management agreements, custody agreements, fund link agreements and ancillary services agreements.
- Experience of advising on and negotiating investment related commercial contracts such as IT agreements and market data licences.
- Ability to manage external counsel to ensure cost‑effective, business‑aligned support.
- Excellent relationship‑building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across the General Counsel function, senior stakeholders and external suppliers.
We want to hire the whole version of you. We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best. We’re reviewing applications as they come in, so apply early to avoid missing out.
Find out more about working at Standard Life.
Legal Counsel employer: Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group)
Contact Detail:
Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in asset management. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your negotiation skills. Since this role involves advising on investment services agreements, be ready to discuss your past experiences and how you’ve navigated complex negotiations.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your relationship-building skills! During interviews, highlight examples of how you've collaborated with colleagues and external suppliers. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a legal whiz but also a team player.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your legal document drafting and negotiation skills. We want to see how your experience aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Show Your Personality: We’re looking for the whole version of you! Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. Share your passion for law and asset management, and how you can contribute to our motivated legal team.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your experience with investment services agreements and commercial contracts. We appreciate clarity as much as we do legal expertise!
Apply Early!: We review applications as they come in, so don’t wait until the last minute to apply. Head over to our website and submit your application early to ensure you don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group)
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your legal document drafting and negotiation skills. Be ready to discuss specific examples of investment services agreements you've worked on, as well as any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Show Off Your Relationship-Building Skills
This role requires excellent relationship-building abilities. Think of instances where you've collaborated with colleagues or external suppliers. Be prepared to share how you navigated those relationships to achieve successful outcomes.
✨Be Curious and Pragmatic
Demonstrate your curiosity to learn and your pragmatic approach to problem-solving. Prepare questions about the team’s current projects and how you can contribute to their goals. This shows you're not just interested in the role but also in growing with the company.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this role offers flexible working options, be ready to discuss what flexibility means to you. Think about how you can balance your work-life needs with the business requirements, and be open to discussing this during the interview.