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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead legal support for aircraft financing and manage high-value transactions.
- Company: Join Virgin Atlantic, a leading airline known for exceptional service and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team influencing major corporate decisions in the aviation industry.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with 6+ years' experience in aviation or finance law.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job details
- Salary: Competitive per annum
- Hours: 37.5 per week, Monday to Friday
- Location: Hybrid, 3 days a week in our VHQ, Crawley
- Contract: Permanent
- Closing Date: 16th May 2025
In a nutshell
At Virgin Atlantic, we pride ourselves on being a leading airline that is passionate about delivering exceptional service and innovative solutions. We are looking for a talented and experienced Senior Manager Legal Counsel to join our dynamic team and support our corporate fleet and finance operations. As the Senior Manager Legal Counsel, you will provide strategic legal advice on complex asset finance, fleet, corporate, and banking matters. You will manage high-value legal aircraft transactions and corporate deals, ensuring compliance, risk mitigation, and optimal outcomes. This role requires engaging with senior cross-functional stakeholders and members of the leadership team to resolve issues pragmatically and influence decision-making at senior/executive levels.
Day to day
- Lead legal support on aircraft and engine financing, leasing, acquisition, redelivery, and disposal.
- Provide legal advisory services on asset finance, treasury, and banking matters, including loan facilities, credit agreements, hedging, and security documentation.
- Manage external relationships with counsel, banks, lessors, and OEMs, driving effective negotiation and resolution of legal and commercial issues.
- Support strategic initiatives across corporate, commercial, and fleet activities, including joint ventures, restructurings, shareholder arrangements, and cross-border transactions.
- Identify and advise on legal risks related to treasury, asset finance, and fleet, providing strategic, commercially-focused guidance to senior stakeholders.
- Contribute flexibly across the General Counsel's Office, supporting colleagues as needed and positively influencing the broader legal function.
About you
- Qualified solicitor (UK or equivalent) with a strong academic track record.
- At least 6 years' post-qualification experience, ideally from a leading law firm or in-house within aviation, asset finance, or banking.
- Expertise in finance law issues and substantial experience in drafting and negotiating complex commercial/finance agreements.
- Strong commercial acumen aligned with senior legal roles in the airline industry.
- Proven ability to analyse complex legal issues and deliver practical, solutions-focused advice.
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in legal drafting.
- Skilled in negotiating complex financial agreements and achieving favourable outcomes while maintaining strong relationships.
- Effective at managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Clear and persuasive communicator, able to influence and advise at senior/executive levels.
- Professional, proactive, and solutions-oriented, with a positive, can-do attitude.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with a collaborative approach and experience working cross-functionally and with external stakeholders.
If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge and contribute to the success of Virgin Atlantic, we would love to hear from you. Apply now and join our team!
Be yourself - Our differences make us stronger
Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our colleagues. That's why we're proud to be an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. At Virgin Atlantic, we believe everyone can take on the world - no matter your age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We celebrate difference and everything that makes our colleagues unique by upholding an inclusive environment in which we can all thrive. So that everyone at Virgin Atlantic can be themselves and know they belong. To make your journey with us accessible and individual to you, we encourage you to let us know if you'd like a little extra help with your application, or if you have any individual requirements at any stage along your recruitment journey. We are here to support you, so please reach out to our team, feeling confident that we've got your individual considerations covered.
Our recipe for leadership
At Virgin Atlantic, our leaders empower teams to thrive through collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Explore our Leadership Recipe and discover the 20 core ingredients that define what it means to lead with us, driving our mission to be the most loved travel company and achieve sustainable profit.
Senior Manager - Legal - (Fleet Finance & Treasury) - Crawley employer: Virgin Atlantic
Contact Detail:
Virgin Atlantic Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manager - Legal - (Fleet Finance & Treasury) - Crawley
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific legal frameworks and regulations that govern the aviation industry, particularly in asset finance and treasury. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to understanding the complexities of the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the aviation and finance sectors, especially those who have experience in legal roles. Engaging with industry contacts can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals, which can significantly enhance your chances of landing the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing high-value legal transactions and how you've successfully navigated complex negotiations. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, as these are crucial for the Senior Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Virgin Atlantic's recent initiatives and challenges in the fleet finance and treasury areas. Being knowledgeable about the company's current landscape will allow you to tailor your discussions and show how you can contribute to their goals effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager - Legal - (Fleet Finance & Treasury) - Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in legal counsel, particularly in asset finance and aviation. Use specific examples that demonstrate your expertise in managing high-value transactions and providing strategic legal advice.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your understanding of the role and the company. Discuss how your background aligns with Virgin Atlantic's needs, particularly your experience in negotiating complex financial agreements and working with senior stakeholders.
Showcase Your Achievements: In both your CV and cover letter, include quantifiable achievements that illustrate your impact in previous roles. For instance, mention successful negotiations or projects that resulted in significant savings or improved compliance.
Proofread for Precision: Given the importance of attention to detail in legal roles, ensure your application is free from errors. Proofread your documents multiple times and consider having someone else review them to catch any mistakes you might have missed.
How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin Atlantic
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before your interview, make sure you have a deep understanding of the Senior Manager Legal Counsel position. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as managing aircraft financing and providing legal advice on complex transactions. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to be asked about specific scenarios related to asset finance and legal negotiations. Prepare examples from your past experience where you successfully navigated complex legal issues or influenced decision-making at senior levels. This will demonstrate your practical knowledge and problem-solving skills.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Senior Manager, effective communication is crucial. Be ready to discuss how you've communicated complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders. Highlight your ability to influence and advise at executive levels, as this is essential for the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Acumen
The role requires strong commercial awareness, so be prepared to discuss how you’ve balanced legal considerations with business objectives in previous roles. Show that you understand the financial implications of legal decisions and can provide strategic guidance to senior stakeholders.
