Legal Counsel

Standard Life plc; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Private medical

Annual leave 38 days

Pension plan

Life assurance 12x

Career breaks

Income protection

Volunteer days

Job summary

Standard Life plc is seeking a qualified lawyer to join as Legal Counsel on a 12‑month fixed-term contract as maternity cover, providing legal guidance across corporate and strategic projects. You’ll support transactions from structuring and due diligence through negotiation, execution and completion, while advising on related corporate matters.

You’ll work with the Corporate and Investments Legal team, managing a varied caseload and collaborating with senior lawyers on complex matters to deepen

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer admitted to practise in Scotland or England with relevant experience supporting corporate transactions.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and analytical skills for clear, practical advice.
• Experience coordinating with external counsel to deliver cost-effective, business-aligned advice.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management across GC, business stakeholders and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Support corporate transactions from structuring to due diligence, negotiations, execution and completion.
• Advise on related corporate matters within the Corporate and Investments Legal team.
• Manage a varied caseload and collaborate with senior lawyers on complex or strategic matters.

Skills

Corporate transactions

M&A experience

Legal drafting

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

UK corporate law

Education

Qualified lawyer (Scotland or England)

Job description

Job Description

Job Type: 12-month fixed term contract

Location: This role could be based in our London, Birmingham, or Edinburgh office, with time spent working both in the office and at home.

Flexible working: All roles are open to part-time, job-share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process. You can read more about flexible working here.

Closing Date: 22nd October (23:55)

Salary and benefits: Starting from £68,000 plus an indicative bonus range of 16-32%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more.

Who are we? We’re Standard Life, a retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement savings and income. We champion the belief that everyone’s journey to and through retirement can be better, and for more than 200 years, we’ve been helping our customers plan and prepare for their financial futures.

Life today is increasingly complicated, uncertain and unpredictable. People move through different careers, face unexpected moments and navigate important choices. We offer our colleagues flexibility, trust and benefits that work for whatever life brings. In return we expect curiosity, connection, accountability and high standards. We make room for what matters - so you can bring your best, every day.

The role

This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified lawyer to join as Legal Counsel on a 12-month fixed term contract as maternity cover, providing legal advice across corporate and strategic projects at Standard Life.

Working as part of the Corporate and Investments Legal team, you’ll support transactions from initial structuring and due diligence through to negotiation, execution and completion, as well as advising on related corporate matters. You’ll manage a varied caseload, taking ownership of matters appropriate to your experience and working collaboratively with senior lawyers and the wider team on more complex or strategic work. This role offers the opportunity to broaden and deepen your corporate transactional legal expertise while supporting key business priorities.

What are we looking for?

A qualified lawyer admitted to practise in Scotland or England with relevant experience supporting corporate transactions, gained in house or in private practice. You’ll bring strong technical capability, sound legal judgement and the ability to provide clear, practical advice throughout the transaction lifecycle.

• Relevant experience advising on and negotiating corporate transactions, including M&A, alongside familiarity with corporate advisory matters, listed company rules and UK MAR.
• Excellent legal drafting, negotiation and analytical skills, with the ability to provide clear, practical and commercially focused advice.
• Experience working with external counsel to deliver cost-effective, business-aligned advice on complex or specialist matters.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to collaborate effectively across General Counsel, business stakeholders and external suppliers.

A background in financial services would be helpful, but not essential.

We want to hire the whole version of you.

We’re committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best.

Find out more about working at Standard Life

• Guide for Candidates: standardlifeplc.pagetiger.com/guideforcandidates
• Find or get answers from our colleagues: www.standardlifeplc.com/careers/talk-to-us