Legal Counsel (Commercial)

Legal Counsel (Commercial) - ARD992859 - Hybrid (London and Home)

Overview and Structure of the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a practically minded and commercially focused mid-level solicitor to take on a dynamic role within a fast-moving, growing and well-respected in house Legal team with numerous accolades (including winning the In-House Impact Team of the Year 2021 at the Legal Business Awards, and previously being ‘Highly Commended’ in The Lawyer Awards for In-House Banking and Financial Services).

This is a role that will allow the right candidate to build extensive experience that goes well beyond the ‘contract churn’; we encourage both close working with the business to support and deliver extensive and strategic transformation and change projects, as well as encouraging active input on ways of working and participation in projects at all levels, in order to better service the business.

You will work within the Commercial Team for Ardonagh Advisory, which is led by the Deputy General Counsel, working alongside 2 other Legal Counsel. There are dedicated specialists for other specific matters, such as litigation, employment and M&A, which will support this specialist role.

This is a hybrid working role with the need to attend the London office 2-3 times per week, as well as attending in-person meetings with counter-parties/suppliers/stakeholders as required and Legal Team meetings once a month.

What you will do

Your responsibilities will include:

• Working with the Deputy General Counsel and 2 Commercial Legal Counsel to provide general legal guidance, assistance and advice to the business on a day-to-day basis.
• Drafting, negotiating and amending a wide and varied range of commercial agreements, including large IT and change projects, general outsourcing, marketing agreements, advising on contracts for public sector tenders and some general commercial insurance contracts. This will involve working closely with colleagues to draft and negotiate contracts in line with the strategy and values of the organisation. Note that we are also hiring a commercial insurance counsel, so the intention of this role is to be focused more on ‘pure’ commercial contracts, most often where Ardonagh is a customer but also where Ardonagh is providing some supplier services.
• Providing day-to-day advice on wider commercial matters, including data protection and use of data within commercial arrangements.
• Supporting the business in following the right legal contracting compliance procedures, to ensure effective contracting, procurement and negotiation.
• Helping to develop and draft key standard documentation, including policies, precedents and playbooks.
• Helping to develop the legal operations within the business, including ways of working and engagement with the business.

Who we are looking for

This is a fantastic opportunity for a 4-6 PQE solicitor qualified in England and Wales, or an equivalent foreign jurisdiction qualification. We are looking for someone has:

• Strong technical skills are essential as the role requires someone who is able to work confidently and independently, referring matters to the Deputy GC for escalation where necessary.
• Knowledge, attention to detail and the ability to work as part of a small highly skilled team is essential as the role will necessarily be broad and varied.
• Experience of reviewing and negotiating a range of commercial agreements, particularly IT contracts (including SaaS, IaaS, on-prem, RPA etc.).
• Strong/clear communication and interpersonal skills, as you will need to develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to prioritise your work is essential whilst demonstrating working well under pressure and changing priorities and, over time, with reducing supervision.
• Some in-house experience, although this is not essential.
• Knowledge of Financial Services regulatory requirements (not essential but preferred).
• Knowledge of GDPR and data handling requirements.

In return you will be welcomed and supported by our Ardonagh family and be joining an organisation that cares about you as a person and your wellbeing. Some of the other benefits are:

• Holiday entitlement of 28 days plus bank holidays
• Opportunity to progress your career across the entire Ardonagh family
• Pensions scheme for when you feel it’s time to retire
• 24-hour support for physical and mental wellbeing
• 1 day’s paid volunteering day to give back to our communities
• The Spotlight Awards, where we shine a light on the brightest talent across our group

We offer genuine potential for both personal and professional development, come and be part of our story and help us shape our future. So, what are you waiting for? Apply today and one of our team will be in touch.

Ardonagh Group is an equal opportunities employer, and we are committed to a working environment that is free from discrimination, is inclusive, and empowers our people to bring their whole self to work and reach their full potential.

If your application is successful, we will conduct relevant employment checks prior to you beginning employment with us. These will include verifying your recent employment, address, credit history and a standard criminal record check.

Please note: We may close a vacancy prior to the published end date if the required quality or number of applications has been received. No agencies please.

Why not check us out on LinkedIn to find out what life’s really like at Ardonagh.

The Ardonagh Group is one of the UK’s largest independent brokers with over 9000 dedicated and passionate professionals across the country, and worldwide, facing and dealing with our clients’ challenges, offering an enviable range of products, services and solutions to their clients. We are progressive, passionate and proud of the work we do, across all sectors of the business. Therefore, we need highly capable people to join our team to make this a reality!

So if this sounds like you, and you are looking for a new challenge where you can learn and develop your career, then this could be a great opportunity for you.

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