Senior Legal Counsel (Commercial Contracts)

Aegon UK; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 69,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join their Commercial Contracts team. In this pivotal role, you will provide strategic legal guidance and support, ensuring compliance and effective contract management. You will engage with all levels of the organization, from executive management to team members, fostering a collaborative environment. The position offers an exciting opportunity to influence high-value commercial decisions and lead a dedicated team. Join a forward-thinking company that values diversity and is committed to helping its employees thrive both professionally and personally.

Benefits

Non-contributory pension (8%-12%)

Discretionary bonus

38 days leave per year

Private medical cover

Life assurance

Critical illness cover

Enhanced parental leave

Retail discount vouchers

Cycle2work scheme

Subsidised restaurant

Qualifications

• Proven track record in high-value, strategic legal matters.
• Ability to advise at all levels, including executive management.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on commercial matters across the organization.
• Draft and negotiate commercial contracts and manage external advisers.
• Lead team initiatives and mentor colleagues.

Skills

Effective communication skills

Knowledge of commercial law

Contract negotiation

Analytical skills

Team leadership

Education

Qualification as a solicitor or advocate/barrister

Job description

Job Description Summary

Senior Legal Counsel (Commercial Contracts)

Permanent

Location: Edinburgh (We believe in the power of in-person collaboration, and our hybrid model requires colleagues to be in the office a minimum of 40% of their time)

Salary: A competitive salary from £69,760- £104,640 depending on the experience you can bring

Closing date: 25 April 2025

We’re a company of ambitious, collaborative, problem-solvers who get things done. We strive to make sure everyone that works for us feel seen, heard, and valued – so we’re looking for like-minded people to join us.

We help people live their best lives. We help them with the big stuff, for the moments that matter: Pensions, Savings, Investments. At Aegon, we strive in creating a diverse organisation that plays a meaningful role in driving greater equity, inclusion and belonging.

We are looking for a Senior Legal Counsel to join the Commercial Contracts team in our Legal department in Edinburgh.

Aegon UK’s Legal department provides legal and technical advice and assistance to help fulfil our business aims and meet regulatory requirements. Our Commercial Contracts team are responsible for:

• Commercial legal arrangements with funds and other financial institutions
• Supplier contracts
• The Commercial legal aspects of onboarding of large employers for pension schemes

As Senior Legal Counsel, you will provide direction to the business by providing legal and technical advice, guidance and recommendations to inform business decisions. You will also support Aegon UK in fulfilling our business aims in connection with commercial matters including high value and strategically important work. You will also manage a small team; responsible for line management and mentoring.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Providing legal and technical advice to all levels within Aegon UK, including at Executive Level, on commercial matters. This will include high-value work or work which is of strategic importance, to help Aegon UK fulfil its business aims.
• Drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and liaising with all areas of our business as appropriate.
• Ensuring that the Group’s contractual documentation is of the appropriate standard and that effective policies are in place for commercial legal input and for legal agreements.
• When appropriate, selecting, appointing and managing external advisers to ensure the provision of legal and technical advice on commercial matters to help Aegon UK fulfil its business aims.
• Leading and assisting with team and departmental initiatives including the development of colleagues.

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• Effective communication skills and an ability to advise and relate to all levels of our business up to and including executive and senior management.
• Knowledge of the law and technical requirements relating to commercial issues and contracts
• Qualification as a solicitor or advocate/barrister in either Scotland or England (or both).
• A proven track record of working on high value, strategic matters with a high degree of autonomy.
• Experience in providing advice following analysis of complex situations, and after taking account of multiple sources of information.

Additional Desirable Criteria for this vacancy includes:

• Knowledge of savings and pensions industry
• Commercial legal experience of the financial services industry, gained either in-house or in private practice.
• Experience leading a team.

What’s in it for you?

• A non-contributory pension between 8%-12%
• A discretionary bonus, depending on personal and company performance
• 38 days’ leave per year (including bank holidays), pro-rated for part-time

We also offer private medical cover, life assurance, critical illness cover, enhanced parental leave and a variety of lifestyle benefits to help our employees live their best lives, including retail discount vouchers, cycle2work scheme, subsidised restaurant and online GP appointments.

Sound good? You know what to do… click the "Apply" button and see where it can take you.

The legal bits

We’ll need you to confirm you have the right to work in the UK. If we offer you a job and you accept, there are some checks we need to complete before you can start with us. This will include a credit and criminal record check, as well as providing satisfactory references.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their age, disability, race, religion/belief, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity.