Senior Legal Counsel in Swindon

Join to apply for the Senior Legal Counsel role at The Openwork Partnership. As a key member of the legal team, you will contribute to the delivery of outstanding legal services across the Group, working closely with the Chief of Staff (General Counsel) and Head of Legal on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters. You will help ensure the Group meets all legal and regulatory requirements, support business areas in implementing those obligations, and provide high quality legal advice across core operational areas, including commercial contracts, corporate matters, data protection, employment, IT, intellectual property and regulatory compliance. The role also involves supporting company secretariat/corporate governance function as required, and contributing to Executive and Board-level discussions on wider business issues. This is a hybrid role, based 2 days a week in the Swindon office.

Key Accountabilities

• Produce accurate, timely and well-presented legal advice to the Group.
• Work with and influence Executive and senior management to maintain high standards of legal compliance.
• Interpret, communicate and monitor the implementation of new and amended legislation to ensure business compliance.
• Actively participate in the formulation/enhancement of Legal/Corporate Services processes, policies and procedures.
• Develop and continuously improve contract monitoring and control systems to ensure continuing compliance, cost effectiveness and timeliness.
• Take responsibility for and manage the acquisition of legal services to the Group by external counsel.
• Lead on litigation matters impacting the business.
• Lead on non-contentious commercial negotiations.

Qualifications

• 6+ years PQE qualified solicitor with significant in-house experience within the financial services industry and/or regulated environment.
• Strong legal skills and knowledge in: Employment law, Corporate law, Data protection law, Dispute resolution, Commercial contracts.
• Deep understanding and knowledge of all areas of commercial law.
• Sound knowledge of financial services legislation.
• Good knowledge of people management practices and procedures.
• Cognisant of Openwork strategy and conduct/business risks.

Benefits

• Salary £95,000 – £120,000.
• Bonus scheme – on target bonus 17.5%.
• Pension scheme – contribute up to 5% of your salary, Openwork matches and contributes an extra 5%.
• Critical illness cover.
• Income protection – 1× salary.
• Death in service – 4× salary.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays, with the opportunity to buy up to an additional 10 days.
• Private medical insurance, dental insurance and other flexible benefits.

Why us?

We’re a dynamic, fast-paced, and growing business with huge ambition. This is all made possible by the brilliant people who are part of The Openwork Partnership family. We’re investing heavily in our colleagues, continuously striving to give them the platform to develop personally and professionally and reach their full potential. We’re also very proud of our culture, as one of the Best 100 Large Companies to work for in 2022. The Openwork Partnership values, and respects individuality and we are committed to building an inclusive culture and environment which truly recognises and celebrates our colleague’s individual differences and identities – just like our financial advice, for us, it’s personal. We believe everyone can make a difference and your race, religion, disability, and gender will never be a barrier. At Openwork, we have a strong ethic of care for each other where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work. We believe that you will bring your best self to work if you are trusted to choose when, where and how you do it.