Senior Legal Counsel - Bulk Purchase Annuities (BPA)

Job Title: Senior Legal Counsel – Bulk Purchase Annuities (BPA)

Contract Type: Permanent  

Location: London, Edinburgh or Alderley Edge  

Working style: Hybrid 50% home/office based

Closing date:  29th September 2024

We are currently seeking a talented and experienced Senior Legal Counsel to join our team in our Edinburgh, Alderley Edge, or London offices. This role will complement a team of in-house lawyers who provide strategic legal advice, guidance, and support across the Royal London Group.

This newly created position offers a fantastic opportunity to shape the provision of legal advice to the Royal London’s newly established Bulk Purchase Annuities (BPA) team.  As a Senior Legal Counsel, you will be responsible for providing expert legal advice and support in relation to bulk annuity and pension de-risking transactions. You will be responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, managing legal risks, and supporting business operations with sound legal strategies. This is a unique opportunity to work within a leading financial services organisation, helping to evolve the strategic direction and growth of the business.

The successful candidate will be a motivated and commercially focused legal professional, experienced in providing expert legal advice on pensions and/or risk transfer transactions. You will have strong knowledge of relevant legislation and regulation and be able to interpret complex legal issues and provide practical solutions. In addition, you will have excellent communication and negotiation skills, and be able to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

About the role

• Provide expert legal advice and support in relation to bulk annuity and pension de-risking transactions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of legal documents, including bulk purchase annuity agreements.
• Develop legal strategies and provide guidance on regulatory compliance and risk management.
• Manage and mitigate legal risks, identify potential issues, and provide proactive solutions.
• Collaborate with external legal advisors, as necessary, and in a cost-effective manner.
• Participate in strategic decision-making processes, provide legal advice on business initiatives, and help drive overall business goals.

About you

• A Solicitor qualified to practise in England & Wales or Scotland.
• Extensive understanding and experience of commercial and legal issues associated with pension/risk transfer transactions.
• Solid awareness of the principles of corporate governance, FCA/PRA regulation, and impact on the RL Group.
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders and a proven track record working in a fast-moving environment.
• Financial services sector experience gained working in-house and/or in private practise. 

About Royal London

We’re the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions, and investment company, offering protection, long-term savings and asset management products and services.   

Our People Promise to our colleagues is that we will all work somewhere inclusive, responsible, enjoyable and fulfilling. This is underpinned by our Spirit of Royal London values; Empowered, Trustworthy, Collaborate, Achieve. 

We've always been proud to reward employees by offering great workplace benefits such as 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, an up to 14% employer matching pension scheme and private medical insurance. You can see all our benefits here - Our Benefits  

Inclusion, diversity and belonging 

We’re an Inclusive employer. We celebrate and value different backgrounds and cultures across Royal London. Our diverse people and perspectives give us a range of skills which are recognised and respected – whatever their background.