Interim Legal Counsel

SSQ; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

SSQ, a regulated UK organisation, is seeking an experienced commercial lawyer to join its legal team on an initial six-month basis.

The role offers exposure across commercial contracts, regulatory matters, public procurement and corporate governance, with close work alongside the General Counsel and senior management.

You will provide pragmatic legal advice across operational and strategic matters, balancing legal risk with business objectives in a sophisticated in-house environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ PQE gained in private practice, in-house, or a combination of both.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a broad range of commercial contracts and third-party arrangements.
• Advising on general legal, legislative and regulatory matters affecting the organisation.
• Supporting public procurement processes and advising on governance requirements.
• Providing advice on corporate governance matters and supporting company secretarial activities.
• Reviewing and advising on policies, communications and briefing materials for senior stakeholders.
• Ensuring activities are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, internal policies and governance frameworks.
• Identifying and managing legal and regulatory risk with senior management and internal stakeholders.
• Supporting reporting requirements and wider legal projects as required.

Skills

Commercial contracts

Financial services regulation (FCA/PRA

Public procurement

Corporate governance

Stakeholder management

Insurance experience

Job description

We are working with a highly regarded, regulated organisation seeking an experienced commercial lawyer to join its legal team on an initial six-month basis.

This is a broad in-house role with exposure across commercial contracts, regulatory matters, public procurement and corporate governance. The successful candidate will work closely with the General Counsel, senior management and wider business, providing practical legal advice across a range of operational and strategic matters.

The Role

The lawyer will be responsible for advising the business across a wide range of commercial and regulatory matters, including:

• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a broad range of commercial contracts and third-party arrangements.
• Advising on general legal, legislative and regulatory matters affecting the organisation.
• Supporting public procurement processes and advising on associated contractual and governance requirements.
• Providing advice on corporate governance matters and supporting certain company secretarial activities.
• Reviewing and advising on policies, corporate communications and briefing materials for senior stakeholders.
• Supporting the business in ensuring its activities are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, internal policies and governance frameworks.
• Working closely with senior management and other internal stakeholders to identify and manage legal and regulatory risk.
• Supporting reporting requirements and wider legal projects as required.

About You

We are looking for a qualified lawyer with 5+ years’ PQE, gained either in private practice, in-house or a combination of both.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong commercial contracts experience, including drafting and negotiation.
• Experience working within, or advising, a regulated business.
• Knowledge of financial services regulation, ideally including exposure to FCA and/or PRA regulated environments.
• Experience of public procurement would be highly advantageous.
• Exposure to corporate governance and company secretarial matters would also be useful.
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to provide pragmatic, business-focused legal advice.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and the confidence to work directly with senior management.
• Insurance sector experience would be beneficial but is not essential.

The Opportunity

This is a particularly broad role offering exposure across commercial, regulatory and governance matters within a sophisticated regulated organisation. It would suit someone who enjoys operating as a true in-house generalist and is comfortable balancing technical legal advice with practical commercial considerations.