Senior Legal Counsel Haywards Heath, England
Job description
We’re First Central Insurance & Technology Group (First Central for short), an award-winning innovative insurance and technology organisation, delivering market-leading motor insurance, underwriting, distribution, finance, technology and legal services.
Ambitious team players can make their mark here ... Sound like you? You'll fit right in.
We've got an exciting opportunity for a Senior Legal Counsel to join the team on a hybrid basis, you'll spend the majority of your time working from home, and meet one day a week at the office, of course, its your choice - if you prefer to be in the office more - thats good with us too. Location is flexible, as long as you live a commutable journey from either our Salford Quays, Manchester or Haywards Heath, West Sussex offices.
You'll take responsibility for the smooth day to day running of the Group Legal function with a specific focus on providing expert insurance distribution advice to the Group. Working at a senior professional level supporting senior stakeholders in the business with the Group Legal Director and Head of Legal, you'll work in collaboration with other legal colleagues. Travel to other sites within the Group in Guernsey, Gibraltar, West Sussex and Manchester may occasionally be required.
To be successful in this role, you’ll need to:
- be a Qualified Lawyer (Solicitor or Barrister) or equivalent with circa 5 years’ PQE
- have significant experience of working as a lawyer in an in-house and / or private practice capacity with significant experience in insurance/reinsurance
- have knowledge of relevant legislation and regulation and understanding of risk management techniques.
Job Responsibilities:
- To be primarily responsible for advising all levels of stakeholders Group-wide on legal and quasi-legal matters.
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Specific expertise in insurance distribution in the context of both broker and insurer, including:
- Advising on delegated insurance arrangements and distribution deals
- Working closely with key business stakeholders including Underwriting, Finance, Tax, and Claims teams
- Providing end-to-end legal support in relation to the distribution of the Group’s insurance products through a variety of delegated and distribution arrangements and policies and advising on complex claims queries. This includes work to design and evaluate new underwriting products and distribution opportunities and supporting broker and distribution ancillary activities including consumer lending
- Managing all legal issues arising out of and providing expert advice on product distribution, reinsurance relationships, IDD and related governance, TOBAs, profit commissions, Quota Share and Solvency II/regulatory capital management
- Drafting a wide variety of insurance-based agreements (both regulated and non-regulated)
- Being primarily responsible for and manage the progress of and provision of advice in respect of challenges from regulatory or quasi-regulatory bodies such as HMRC and any non-UK financial services regulatory body
- Oversee and assist in the maintenance of the Group’s Contracts Register, Intellectual Property, Litigation Register and support with the production of an annual Legal Status Report for Group Audit Committee
- To deputise for the Head(s) of Legal and/or Group Legal Director by attending meetings from time to time as required.
- Conducting thorough research and drafting advice on a range of matters for Group companies.
- Provide guidance and support to the Group in corporate legal matters, structuring and corporate projects.
- Maintain the Legal Calendar and the Legal Matters Register.
- Engaging with and supporting the development of a range of Legal Operations improvements as part of the Legal Transformation Project
- Advise on regulatory issues, particularly on FCA (and PRA so far as is required), Gibraltar Financial Services Commission and Guernsey Financial Services Commission matters.
- Review and draft a range of commercial contracts including Material Outsource agreements.
- Advise upon matters of Company law and broader corporate matters.
- Draft insurance policy wordings for motor and ancillary policies.
- Draft company policies and procedures, and complete legal research to ensure they are in line with legislation from the relevant jurisdictions.
- Run contract checks for required contract updates, renewals or redrafting and implications following company change and development and assist in actioning those requirements.
- Liaise with the stakeholders for relevant documentation and completed internal documentation and maintain an accessible filing system for these documents.
- Manage and maintain the companies’ County Court decisions log, liaise with the Courts for updates and information and ensure the relevant documentation / filings are completed for any litigation.
- Engage with the relevant departments to manage risks related to County Court Judgments, and work to reduce impact to credit rating reports.
- Work in conjunction with the Head of Legal and Group Legal Director in dealing with legal and regulatory issues as required.
- To ensure personal compliance with corporate policies and rules, and other relevant standards/ regulations at all times.
- To supervise, support and mentor more junior team members and work collaboratively across the business.
- To be fully aware of the Company’s Health & Safety Policy.
- Any other reasonable duties as required.
Job Specific Competencies:
Experience
- Significant experience of working as a lawyer in an in-house and / or private practice capacity with significant experience in insurance/reinsurance
- Qualified Lawyer (Solicitor or Barrister) or equivalent with circa 5 years’ PQE
- Strong experience of working in a regulated environment
- Knowledge of legal and corporate governance processes
Skills
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Ability to ‘manage up’ and deliver to stakeholders at the most senior levels
- Problem solving skills with the ability to translate problems and find solutions.
- Good organisational skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines.
- Good numeracy and literacy skills.
- Good IT and software skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Demonstrable legal research skills.
- People Management & Mentoring aptitude / experience
- Resilient to challenge from senior levels whilst developing strong internal relationships at all levels.
- Ability to assess and advise upon legal risks.
Knowledge
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and regulation
- Business acumen
- Understanding of risk management techniques.
Behaviours
- Emphasis on attention to detail and accuracy.
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic.
- Embrace, embed and incorporate the Company Values.
- An organised and proactive approach.
- Takes initiative to make decisions.
- A flexible approach and positive attitude.
- Approachable and keen to help others.
- Confident in presenting complex information in a clear and concise manner.
- Strives to deliver performance targets and drive business improvements to contribute to the success of the business.
- Ability to handle information in a confidential manner.
- Continuous Improvement / Growth Mindset
Are you the person we’re looking for? If so, we look forward to hearing from you. Apply today!
What can we do for you?
We believe we can offer you a great working environment as we’re so passionate about our people. Here are just some of the benefits and perks that we offer…
- Fantastic training and development opportunities
- Employee benefit packages to suit your lifestyle
- Flexible working
- YOUday – we give you an extra day off to celebrate a special day
- The opportunity to take a paid day off each year to do charity work
- A health cash plan
- Help with travel expenses
- The opportunity to buy additional holiday
- Company pension scheme
- Group life assurance
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Professional subscription fees paid
Employee wellbeing is high on the agenda here too. We provide discounted membership at a local health club and access to an Employee Assistance Programme, which promotes physical and emotional wellbeing at work and at home. In addition, we provide wellbeing events throughout the year to support physical and mental health.
For further information on what we can offer and to learn more about this role, feel free to contact our dedicated Talent team.
