General Counsel, Legal Directorate

Bank of England; Leeds; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent financial institution in Leeds is looking for a General Counsel to lead its legal function. The role involves providing strategic legal counsel on financial regulation and corporate governance, managing legal risks, and interacting with senior leadership. Candidates should have substantial experience in legal practice, particularly within financial services, and strong leadership skills. The position promotes diversity and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Non-contributory career average pension

26 days annual leave

Private medical insurance

Qualifications

• Significant post‑qualification experience in financial services or regulatory environments.
• Proven track record of leading complex legal teams and advising at Board or Executive level.
• Deep understanding of UK financial regulation and central banking law.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Legal Directorate, optimizing operational efficiency.
• Provide strategic legal advice to senior leadership on financial regulation.
• Oversee the Bank's legal risk management framework.

Skills

Leadership

Legal Case Management

Legal Drafting

Regulatory Compliance

Crisis Management

Education

Qualified solicitor or barrister

Job description

Description

The Legal Directorate (LD) is the Bank’s in‑house legal function responsible for identifying legal risks to the Bank both as a policy maker and a corporate body and providing advice which seeks to mitigate or avoid them.

LD is organised into the following five Divisions :

• Central Banking Legal Division (CBL)
• Enforcement & Litigation Division (ELD)
• Financial Stability Division (FSD)
• Insurance and Deposit Takers Division (IDT)
• International & Domestic Reform Division (IRD)

CBL advises on a diverse range of legal matters critical to the Bank’s central functions.

ELD supports the Bank (including the PRA) delivery of its statutory objectives by conducting investigations of firms and individuals within the Bank’s supervisory remit, providing supervisory intelligence and leading on contentious matters and litigation handling within LD.

FSD advises on three main areas which directly support the Bank’s objective of protecting and enhancing UK financial stability: the Bank’s macro‑prudential resolution and FMI policy and supervisory functions.

IDT’s remit mirrors the full spectrum of the PRA’s prudential remit in relation to the supervision and regulation of insurers, deposit takers, building societies, credit unions and large investment firms.

IRD provides policy‑focused legal advice across the Bank’s remit on a range of strategic projects and cross‑cutting matters including domestic regulatory and legislative reforms and international relations.

Role Purpose

The position is based in our Leeds office.

The General Counsel is the Bank’s chief legal adviser responsible for leading the Legal Directorate (LD) and for looking after the Bank’s legal risks. This role provides strategic legal counsel across the full breadth of the Bank’s regulatory, policy‑making and operational functions. It is responsible for the Bank’s legal function and the role of the Bank’s legal risk custodian and plays a critical role in shaping the Bank’s response to domestic and international developments.

The General Counsel is a member of the Executive Policy Coordination Committee (EPCC) and Executive Operational Coordination Committee (EOCC) as well as an observer on the Financial Policy Committee (FPC) and the Prudential Regulation Committee (PRC). The General Counsel is also required to attend the Resolution Committee (ResCo), Executive Risk Committee (ERC) and Financial Market Infrastructure Committee (FMIC).

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire, manage and develop the Legal Directorate (currently comprising approximately 200 staff) through the transformation to a fit‑for‑the‑future Legal Directorate, optimising operational efficiency through change and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Provide strategic legal advice to the Governor Board / Court Executive Committee and senior leadership on matters of financial regulation, banking operations, market infrastructure and public / employment law.
• Oversee the Bank’s legal risk management framework and ensure compliance with UK and international legislation.
• Represent the Bank in high‑profile legal matters including litigation, regulatory enforcement and legislative reform.
• Engage with external counsel, government bodies and international legal counterparts to advance the Bank’s legal interests.
• Champion legal innovation and continuous improvement within the Directorate, fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion and wellbeing.

Minimum criteria

• Qualified to practise as a solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive in England and Wales or equivalent in Scotland or Northern Ireland. We may also accept applications from candidates qualified to practise as a lawyer overseas where the candidate can demonstrate that they have legal experience that is directly relevant to the legal work described in this job description.
• Significant post‑qualification experience in financial services, public law or regulatory environments.
• Proven track record of leading complex legal teams and advising at Board or Executive level.
• Deep understanding of UK financial regulation, central banking law and international legal frameworks.
• Strong leadership and people management skills with a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Exceptional judgement, integrity and ability to navigate sensitive legal and reputational issues.

Desirable criteria

• Experience in crisis management, resolution planning or cross‑border legal coordination.
• Familiarity with legislative drafting, policy development and regulatory engagement.

Our Approach to Inclusion

The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and to do that effectively we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve.

At the Bank of England we want all colleagues to feel valued and respected, so we’re working hard to build an inclusive culture which supports people from all backgrounds and communities to be at their best at work. We celebrate all forms of diversity including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We believe that by drawing on different perspectives and experiences we will continue to make the best decisions for the public.

We welcome applications from individuals who work flexibly, including job shares and part‑time working patterns. We’ve also partnered with external organisations to support us in making adjustments for candidates and employees in the recruitment process where they’re needed.

For most roles where work can be carried out at home we aim for colleagues to spend half of their time in the office with a minimum of 40% per month. Subject to that minimum requirement, individuals and managers should work together to find what works best for them, their team and stakeholders.

Finally we’re proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme. If you wish to apply under this scheme you should check the box in the Candidate Personal Information under the Disability Confident Scheme section of the application.

Salary and Benefits Information

We encourage flexible working.

This role offers a competitive salary. In addition we also offer a comprehensive benefits package as detailed below :

• Currently a non‑contributory career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/80th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/65th) or decrease (to 1/105th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year. The Bank has the discretion to vary standard accrual rates and to dial up and dial down rates at any time and to withdraw dial up and dial down options at any time.
• A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool.
• An 8% benefits allowance with the option to take it as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits.
• 26 days annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits.
• Private medical insurance and income protection.

National Security Vetting Process

Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (and typically can take between 6 to 12 weeks post offer) and the passing of additional Bank security checks in accordance with the Bank policy. Further information regarding the vetting and security clearance requirements for the role will be provided to the successful applicant and information about how the Bank processes personal data for these purposes is set out in the Bank’s Privacy Notice.

Application Process

We are working with Executive Search firm Michael Page Executive – please do not apply here; please submit a copy of your CV and a cover letter explaining your suitability to Katherine Jackson.

Closes to application on 14th December 2025

Key Skills

General Counsel, Legal Case Management, Legal Drafting, Litigation, Intellectual Property Law, Legal Counsel, Legal Research, Securities Law, Employment & Labor Law, Real Estate Law, negotiation, Contracts