Senior Legal Counsel

Aldermore Bank; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable financial institution in Reading seeks a skilled legal advisor to manage operational legal needs within retail banking and corporate sectors. This role includes drafting and negotiating contracts, providing strategic legal advice, and ensuring compliance within a dynamic environment. The ideal candidate will have strong commercial legal knowledge and experience with IT contracts. This position offers opportunities for professional growth and a competitive remuneration package.

Benefits

Discretionary bonus scheme

Private Medical Insurance

Hybrid Working

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of commercial legal and regulatory issues in banking.
• Proven experience with IT contracts like SaaS, PaaS, and software licenses.
• Excellent skills in managing multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements.
• Provide legal advice on banking operations and compliance.
• Support the Head of Legal in managing various projects.

Skills

Commercial legal knowledge

Project management

Ability to build relationships

Self-motivation

Experience with IT contracts

Job description

Aldermore Group: Why we exist

We are Aldermore, the award‑winning bank trusted and highly rated by over a quarter of a million customers for more than a decade.

With our range of specialist mortgages, savings accounts and business finance solutions we back more people to go for it.

Let us tell you a bit about the opportunity

This role supports the Head of Legal for Procurement and Technology by handling the operational legal needs of Aldermore’s retail banking and corporate business. You’ll provide both strategic and hands‑on legal advice across various projects, managing legal risks related to technology and commercial contracts while working closely with internal teams, partners and suppliers.

What will your day look like

• Draft and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements including outsourcing, agency, IT, marketing and supply contracts with suppliers and Aldermore group companies.
• Provide legal advice on commercial issues related to banking operations, data protection and financial services regulations, ensuring compliance within a highly regulated environment.
• Support the Head of Legal in managing multiple projects and collaborate with the Procurement team and other departments to deliver business‑wide initiatives efficiently.
• Assist in designing and delivering training sessions and contribute to developing legal templates, playbooks and checklists to support internal teams.
• Offer clear practical legal and commercial advice on complex matters, proactively identifying and managing legal risks to protect the business and reduce reputational exposure.
• Communicate effectively with senior management, internal stakeholders, external lawyers and partners while staying updated on relevant legal developments to guide best practices.

What do we expect from you

• Strong knowledge of current and emerging commercial legal and regulatory issues affecting banking.
• Proven experience with material outsourcing IT contracts (including SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, software licences, EULAs) framework agreements and other supply agreements with a willingness to broaden expertise in related areas such as data protection and intellectual property.
• Excellent project management skills capable of handling multiple priorities, conflicting interests and tight deadlines effectively.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners, demonstrating sound legal and commercial judgment.
• Confident in providing independent legal advice on routine and complex issues with strong influencing skills to guide the business on risks and solutions.
• Self‑motivated and able to work autonomously while knowing when to seek support; in‑house legal experience preferred but not essential.

What can you expect from us

• A friendly and flexible culture, the same as how we work with our customers.
• A growing organisation that means there are lots of opportunities to progress.
• A drive for continuous improvement that you will be empowered to get behind from day one.
• Competitive remuneration and a good range of core benefits and bonus potential.

The Benefits

• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Aviva Digital GP
• Bus & Tram Benefit
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Eyecare Voucher & Display Screens / Desk Set‑Up
• Flu Jab Vouchers
• Group Income Protection

Life Assurance

Metrolink Annual Pass & Clipper Ticket

Microsoft Discounts

Private Medical Insurance Shopping Discounts

Toothfairy

Your Workplace Pension

Hybrid Working

Critical Illness

Cycle To Work

Dental Insurance

Give As You Earn

Government Tax‑Free Childcare Scheme

Octopus Electric Vehicles

Save Our Planet

Season Ticket Loan

Spouse or Partner Life Assurance

Technology

Wearable Technology

Wellbeing App

Will Writing

We welcome people regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave.

Please note that we have a thorough referencing process which includes criminal record checks.