Legal Counsel - FTSE Russell & Risk Intelligence

London Stock Exchange Group; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and flexible working

Private healthcare

Pension contributions

Professional development opportunities

Volunteer time

Job summary

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) seeks a senior associate commercial lawyer to support FTSE Russell and Risk Intelligence divisions. The role focuses on international contracting, drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, and providing pragmatic legal advice across global markets.

You will work autonomously as a trusted partner to business colleagues and collaborate within the Legal & Compliance team, supporting product development, regulatory risk management and strategic initiatives,

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with post-qualification experience in commercial law.
• Experience with global corporates and complex commercial contracts.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to FTSE Russell and Risk Intelligence teams.
• Review, draft and negotiate wide range of commercial agreements.
• Advise on data, technology, licensing and regulatory issues.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Contract drafting

Legal advisory

English fluency

Independent working

Education

Law degree or equivalent

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking a skilled commercial lawyer to support to the FTSE Russell and Risk Intelligence divisions. This role helps to enable product innovation and delivery, manage legal and regulatory risk, and support commercial execution across global markets, with a focus on the FTSE Russell business. The role is for a lawyer that can handle matters autonomously, work as a trusted partner to business colleagues, and collaborate effectively within the team. The role requires a wide range of legal skills and capabilities, partnering with Risk Intelligence and the broader Legal & Compliance team. The ideal candidate will understand international contracting requirements, have relevant experience in drafting, handling and negotiating commercial contracts, bring a consistent record of client service and a practical, problem-solving approach, and demonstrate outstanding attention to detail. The successful applicant will join an innovative global legal team committed to excellence and innovation in legal services.

Role Responsibilities

Providing legal advice and support to colleagues across FTSE Russell and Risk Intelligence, including sales, product, shared services and other business teams, identifying legal and regulatory risks and proposing practical solutions that support commercial objectives and align with Group strategy.

Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a variety of agreements with customers, partners and third parties, including financial data and index licenses, software and intellectual property related licenses, outsourcing, master agreements, term and conditions, non-disclosure agreements, partnerships and other commercial agreements.

Advising and responding on legal issues related to the collection, usage and licensing of data/software services from multiple sources, regulatory issues (including financial indices and benchmarks regulation), technology, vendors, intellectual property, incidents, data misuse, customer complaints and contentious matters.

Supporting colleagues on the legal aspects of new product development, regulatory change, market expansion and strategic business projects, including AI.

Supporting the coordination of legal matters handled by outside counsel and managed legal service providers.

Sharing responsibility for maintaining, updating and revising contract template agreements, processes and playbooks.

Helping to identify, research, assess and brief senior lawyers and business partners on potential and actual risks and legal exposures and assist in taking proactive and remedial measures.

Maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of laws and regulations that may impact the business and supporting the implementation of effective internal controls, policies and procedures, ethical standards and coordinating adherence to contractual obligations.

Handling specific matters autonomously, with review by senior colleagues at key decision points, and pro-actively driving matters forward.

Demonstrating the legal team culture of high performance, inclusion and continuous development.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Qualified lawyer with relevant post-qualification experience in a legal position handling a broad range of commercial law subject areas.

Experience in working with sophisticated global corporates.

Exposure to financial services, technology, data and commercial contracting is helpful.

Must be fluent in English with excellent written and oral communications skills to interact confidently and effectively with internal and external contacts.

Strong contract negotiation and drafting abilities.

Ability to articulate legal concepts in a clear and concise manner, applying commercial guidance with legal advice to balance legal issues against pragmatic commercial solutions.

A commercial and solution-oriented mindset, with outstanding commitment to colleague and client customer service.

Excellent planning, organisational, analytical, operational and decision-making skills; comfortable with using technology to support these.

Ability to bring new ideas and novel approaches to problems.

Strong skills to work both collaboratively and independently, with sound judgement, including knowing when to raise matters to senior members of the team.

Sound administrative and time management skills, with sharp attention to detail.

Ability to lead project workstreams and handle timelines.

Excellent communication and capability to build trusted working relationships with across different functions, cultures, both within and outside LSEG, positively influencing the behaviour of others.

What We Offer

• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• A welcoming, inclusive culture backed by Employee Networks.
• A competitive referral bonus program.
• Access to private healthcare, wellness support, and pension contributions.
• Professional development opportunities and learning resources.
• Paid volunteer time to support causes that matter to you.

We believe diversity makes us stronger. If you have a disability or long-term health condition and need reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know - we’re here to support you!

Career Stage

Senior Associate London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG)

About Us

Join us and be part of a team that values innovation, quality, and continuous improvement. If you’re ready to take your career to the next level and make a significant impact, we’d love to hear from you. LSEG is a leading global financial markets infrastructure and data provider. Our purpose is driving financial stability, empowering economies and enabling customers to create sustainable growth. Our purpose is the foundation on which our culture is built. Our values of Integrity, Partnership, Excellence and Change underpin our purpose and set the standard for everything we do, every day. They go to the heart of who we are and guide our decision making and everyday actions. Working with us means that you will be part of a dynamic organisation of 25,000 people across 65 countries. However, we will value your individuality and enable you to bring your true self to work so you can help enrich our diverse workforce.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. This means that we do not discriminate on the basis of anyone’s race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. Conforming with applicable law, we can reasonably accommodate applicants’ and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as mental health or physical disability needs.

You will be part of a collaborative and creative culture where we encourage new ideas. We are committed to sustainability across our global business and we are proud to partner with our customers to help them meet their sustainability objectives. Our charity, the LSEG Foundation provides charitable grants to community groups that help people access economic opportunities and build a secure future with financial independence. Colleagues can get involved through fundraising and volunteering. LSEG offers a range of tailored benefits and support, including healthcare, retirement planning, paid volunteering days and wellbeing initiatives.

LSEG is headquartered in the United Kingdom, with significant operations in 70 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific. Find out more Get to know some of our people who are pushing the boundaries of technology, finance and more around the world.