Deputy General Counsel

Sedgwick; Kingston upon Hull; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global consultancy in Kingston upon Hull is seeking a Deputy General Counsel to lead its legal operations. You will oversee strategic legal counsel, manage complex legal risks, and develop a high-performing legal team. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in corporate legal environments and the ability to influence senior stakeholders. The role offers a competitive compensation package, flexible working arrangements, and comprehensive health benefits.

Benefits

Competitive executive compensation package

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Flexible working arrangements

Comprehensive private healthcare

Access to Sedgwick University – learning platform

Qualifications

• Extensive post-qualification experience in corporate legal environments.
• Demonstrated success in leading legal teams across multiple jurisdictions.
• Exceptional analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Deep understanding of UK and international legal frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all legal operations across international jurisdictions.
• Serve as principal legal advisor to senior executives.
• Oversee relationships with external counsel.
• Lead and develop a team of legal professionals.
• Ensure robust compliance within international legal frameworks.

Skills

Legal Expertise

Leadership & Influence

Strategic Acumen

Technical & Regulatory Knowledge

Communication & Collaboration

Operational Excellence

Job description

Overview

By joining Sedgwick, you'll be part of something truly meaningful. It’s what our 33,000 colleagues do every day for people around the world who are facing the unexpected. We invite you to grow your career with us, experience our caring culture, and enjoy work-life balance. Here, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.

Newsweek Recognizes Sedgwick as America’s Greatest Workplaces National Top Companies

Certified as a Great Place to Work

Fortune Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance

Deputy General Counsel

We are seeking a strategic and accomplished Dept. General Counsel Leader to oversee and elevate our legal operations across our international markets.

An exceptional opportunity has emerged for a seasoned legal executive with deep expertise in corporate, commercial, and regulatory law to lead Sedgwick’s legal function for our international business. This role is central to ensuring legal integrity, operational excellence, and strategic alignment across our global footprint.

As a senior member of the legal leadership team, you will be responsible for delivering high-impact legal counsel, managing complex legal risks, and driving continuous improvement in legal operations. You will serve as a trusted advisor to executive stakeholders, guiding critical decisions and enabling sustainable growth.

You will lead a high-performing legal team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation. Your remit will span governance, compliance, litigation, transactions, and regulatory affairs, with a strong emphasis on cross-border operations and strategic partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all legal operations across international jurisdictions, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as principal legal advisor to senior executives, offering commercially pragmatic counsel on high-stakes matters.
• Oversee relationships with external counsel, ensuring cost-effective, high-quality legal support and optimal resource allocation.
• Lead and develop a team of legal professionals, driving performance, engagement, and professional growth.
• Ensure robust compliance within international legal frameworks, including corporate governance, insurance regulation, data privacy, and employment law.
• Deliver insightful legal reporting and risk analysis to executive stakeholders and board members.
• Champion legal innovation through process optimization, technology adoption, and strategic transformation initiatives.
• Oversee legal aspects of corporate transactions, including M&A, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships.
• Lead legal input into regulatory audits, board governance, and compliance reviews.
• Maintain the highest standards of confidentiality, data protection, and ethical conduct across all legal activities.

Candidate Profile

Legal Expertise — Extensive post-qualification experience in corporate legal environments, ideally within insurance, financial services, or global consultancy sectors. Proven track record in managing complex legal portfolios and advising on regulatory, transactional, and governance matters.

Leadership & Influence — Demonstrated success in leading legal teams across multiple jurisdictions. Strong executive presence and ability to influence senior stakeholders and board-level decision-making.

Strategic Acumen — Exceptional analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to anticipate legal risks and align legal strategy with business priorities.

Technical & Regulatory Knowledge — Deep understanding of UK and international legal frameworks, including FCA, CBI, ASIC regulations, GDPR, and cross-border commercial law.

Communication & Collaboration — Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into actionable insights for diverse audiences. Skilled in building cross-functional relationships across HR, Finance, Risk, and Operations.

Operational Excellence — Experience in legal technology implementation, contract lifecycle management, and legal spend optimization. Strong project management capabilities and a commitment to continuous improvement.

What We Offer

Remuneration & Recognition

• Competitive executive compensation package
• Self-Invested Personal Pension Scheme (SIPP)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Flexible working arrangements

Health & Wellbeing

• Comprehensive private healthcare (including pre-existing conditions)
• Life assurance and income protection
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing resources

Additional Benefits

• Voluntary benefits including dental cover, cycle to work scheme, and season ticket loan
• Discounts on a wide range of products and services
• Access to Sedgwick University – our industry-leading learning and development platform

Join Us in Shaping the Future of Risk and Legal Excellence

At Sedgwick, you’ll be part of a global community dedicated to protecting people and businesses. You’ll contribute to resolving millions of claims annually and play a pivotal role in shaping the legal and regulatory landscape of tomorrow.

We are proud to foster an inclusive and equitable workplace. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind.

Next Steps

If you believe your experience and leadership align with this opportunity, we encourage you to apply. Whether you’re a seasoned legal executive or returning to the workforce, we value diverse perspectives and career journeys.

Following the closing date, shortlisted candidates may be invited to participate in interviews, which may be conducted virtually or in person.

#LI-hybrid

Sedgwick is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The statements contained in this document are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a colleague assigned to this description. They are not intended to constitute a comprehensive list of functions, duties, or local variances. Sedgwick retains the discretion to add or to change the duties of the position at any time.