Corporate Counsel, U.S. Insurance

Ascot Group; Stamford (CT); On-site; USD 175,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Welfare Benefits

Paid Time Off

401(k) Retirement Plan

Job summary

Ascot Group is looking for a Corporate Counsel to join their U.S. Corporate Legal team in Stamford, Connecticut. This key position will handle contract negotiations and work closely with underwriting and claims operations. The ideal candidate will have a Juris Doctor and five years of relevant legal experience, including at least three years in the insurance industry.

Key responsibilities include drafting and negotiating agreements, advising on coverage issues, and collaborating across departments. Competitive benefits and a salary range of $175,000 to $190,000 are offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of legal experience in a law firm or relevant in-house role.
• At least three years in the insurance industry, particularly in-house or in private practice.
• Strong organizational and project management skills to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a legal partner to Ascot U.S.'s insurance and reinsurance businesses.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements and reinsurance documents.
• Advise claims leadership on coverage issues and coordinate with outside counsel.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Legal compliance

Project management

Risk assessment

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

Juris Doctor

Admitted to practice law

Job description

This is an opportunity to join Ascot Group – one of the world’s preeminent specialty risk underwriting organizations.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Senior Corporate Counsel, the Corporate Counsel, U.S. Insurance will serve as a key member of the U.S. Corporate Legal team, with primary responsibility for contract negotiation and commercial and strategic transactions. This role combines day‑to‑day transactional legal work with meaningful engagement across the specialty insurance business and requires a trusted advisor who can partner effectively with underwriting, reinsurance, claims, finance, and other internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a legal partner to Ascot U.S.’s insurance and reinsurance businesses, including ceded and captive reinsurance, programs, and claims operations, while supporting underwriting, finance, operations, and other internal stakeholders as needed.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including producer and distribution agreements, TOBAs, vendor contracts, NDAs, employment agreements, office leases, IT procurement agreements, statements of work, and other third‑party arrangements.
• Review and negotiate reinsurance agreements and related documentation, including captive reinsurance transactions, treaty and facultative placements, slip terms, loss portfolio transfers, and other supporting materials.
• Support the programs business by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating program administrator agreements, fronting arrangements, profit commission schedules, and related distribution agreements.
• Advise claims leadership on coverage issues, claims‑related contractual matters, and dispute resolution, including coordination with outside counsel on litigation and arbitration matters as appropriate.
• Partner with the U.S. General Counsel, Senior Corporate Counsel, and other senior leaders on complex strategic and commercial transactions.
• Manage outside counsel relationships, engagements, and legal spend effectively.
• Work closely with the Controller and CFO teams to support finance‑related matters, including investments, auditor interactions, and capital markets activity such as debt issuance or capital raising, as needed.
• Collaborate with other members of the Legal team on legal, regulatory, compliance, corporate governance, and other matters supported by the U.S. Corporate Legal function.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.
• Demonstrate The Ascot Way in daily interactions by fostering collaboration, inclusivity, accountability, and colleague development.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor required.
• Minimum of five years of legal experience in a law firm and/or relevant in‑house legal role.
• At least three years of experience in the insurance industry, either in‑house at an insurance or reinsurance company or in private practice serving insurance and financial services clients.
• Strong understanding of commercial insurance and reinsurance concepts, including distribution, risk‑sharing, ceded reinsurance structures, and intercompany contracting; experience in property and casualty or specialty property and casualty insurance is strongly preferred.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating reinsurance agreements, program administration agreements, and/or insurance coverage matters.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities and drive matters to completion.
• Commercially minded and results‑oriented, with the ability to balance legal risk with business objectives and deliver practical solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong judgment and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across functions, advance complex matters collaboratively, and take ownership of outcomes.
• Self‑starter with the ability to work independently while also contributing effectively in team‑based environments.
• Ability to learn quickly, adapt to new subject matter, and grow into broader responsibilities over time.
• Strong interest in gaining exposure to a broad range of legal and business matters within a dynamic organization.
• Admitted to practice law in a relevant state jurisdiction.
• This position may be filled at a different level, depending on experience.

Compensation

Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to experience, subject matter expertise, and skills. The base pay is just one component of Ascot’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual cash bonus, long‑term incentives, and other forms of discretionary compensation awarded by the Company.

The annualized base pay range for this role is: $175,000 – $190,000.

Company Benefits

• Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical (including prescription coverage), Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Commuter Account, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, AD&D, Work/Life Resources (including Employee Assistance Program), and more.
• Leave Benefits: Paid holidays, annual Paid Time Off (includes paid state /local paid leave where required), Short‑term Disability, Long‑term Disability, Other leaves (e.g., Bereavement, FMLA, Adoption, Maternity, Military, Primary & Non‑Primary Caregiver).
• Retirement Benefits: Contributory Savings Plan (401(k)).