• Job Description

  Req#: JR-01410

  Looking for a new challenge?
  
  Take a look at our current vacancies. If you see a vacancy that is right for you, we encourage you to apply!

  Senor Legal Counsel

  Are you a qualified lawyer looking for a new challenge, stimulating work, and a chance to have a big impact?

  Contract: Permanent

  Working hours: 35 hours per week Where possible, we are open to considering part time/flexible working patterns. Please let us know in your application your desired working pattern.

  Salary: from £86,800

  Reporting to: General Counsel

  London docklands

  O ur hybrid policy sees us all working at least four days across a fortnight in the office.

  Our legal team advises and supports the Financial Ombudsman Service across a broad range of legal areas. We advise on legal issues relevant to Ombudsmen’s decisions and to our broader work, help to build our approach to resolving disputes, and act for the FOS if we are challenged through the courts.

  We are looking for an experienced solicitor or barrister qualified in England & Wales to join us as Senior Legal Counsel. You will work with the legal team to provide advice to the FOS on all legal and jurisdiction matters and help us build our legal knowledge across the Ombudsman Service.

  The Financial Ombudsman Service is often at the cutting-edge of financial services law. As such, the legal issues we face are complex and can be novel. Our jurisdiction has expanded over the last few years, which means that we deal with a wider range of disputes and legal issues You will need the intellectual ability and breadth of legal knowledge to provide sound and clear answers to all manner of difficult legal questions.

  As Senior Legal Counsel, you will advise on the most complex and sensitive issues we receive in the team. You will be familiar with some of the law we apply, but where relevant law is unfamiliar you will be able to develop and extend your expertise by legal research. When required you will take a lead on specific areas and legal projects. You will need the judgement and confidence to deliver advice that impacts many people.

  We are a team and we operate as one. This means collaborating and sharing our knowledge and insights. We support less experienced members of the team in developing and learning and we work together to train others outside the team. You will be a vital member of this team and will participate in these activities to the full. You will need to have great interpersonal skills and to give a good account of yourself when making presentations.

  To be considered for this role, you’ll need to show us that you’ve got the skills and capabilities. You’ll have to meet the following minimum criteria:

  Minimum Criteria

  • Be a solicitor or barrister qualified in England and Wales.
  • Recent experience in the regulatory, commercial or public sector or in private practice.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Strong technical skills and experience in one or more of the following areas - public law, financial services law and regulation, litigation, information law, contract law and employment law.

  Desirable Criteria

  We would also like you to have the following skills:

  • Proactive problem solving skills, identifying solutions supported by the law with an eye to wider implications for clients.
  • Strong prioritisation skills and ability to be flexible.
  • Ability to build good relationships with internal clients to help you fully understand their needs and advise on our recommended approach on legal matters.
  • Strong drafting and negotiation skills.
  • Experienced in supervising trainee solicitors, providing training and coaching.

  Why Financial Ombudsman Service?

  We are a values led organisation. Our values define our culture, influence our decisions, and underpin our vision and strategy. They set out how we play our PART through Purpose, Ambition, Respect and Trust. You can learn more about our values here: https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/who-we-are/aims-values

  We also offer an attractive, competitive salary and flexible benefits to suit our people. Here’s a list of some of the many benefits and perks you can get for working with us:

  • 25 days holiday entitlement, with the option to buy extra or sell days
  • Generous pension
  • Employer provided benefits such as Private medical insurance, virtual GP, Critical illness cover, Life assurance cover, to name a few
  • Choice of voluntary benefits including Technology scheme, Cycle to work scheme, Will-writing service amongst others
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Extensive opportunities for personal and career development
  • Fully equipped on-site gym open 24 / 7 (London office only)
  • Extensive Well-being resources including on-site therapists (London office only)
  • Beautiful and bright London office looking over the Thames and near to mainline stations
  • Our employee led networks do fantastic work in educating and raising awareness across a range of experiences and support us in being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. You can get involved, too!

  How do I apply?

  To apply, please upload a single document that includes your most up to date CV and your supporting statement (of no more than 500 words) addressing the following questions:

  • what attracts you to this job and the Ombudsman Service
  • why your skills and experience make you the right person for the job

  Applications need to be submitted by 11:59pm Sunday 29th October 2023

  Shortlisted candidates will be asked to interview. First interviews will take place week commencing 6 November 2023, and shortlisted candidates will be invited to a second interview the week commencing 13 November 2023.

  Due to high application numbers this advert may end earlier than the date specified, so please don't delay and apply now!

  We’re proud to be an inclusive employer

  We view diversity as fundamental to our success and welcome applications from underrepresented groups across all communities.

  We’re committed to being a great place to work– attracting and developing people from the widest possible range of backgrounds. We want everyone to perform at their best and feel able to be themselves. We understand that if we’re diverse and inclusive, we’ll better understand different perspectives, which is fundamental to our job resolving financial complaints.

  We welcome applications from Black and other ethnic minority candidates, and female candidates, for all positions and particularly so for senior leader positions as they are under-represented within the Financial Ombudsman Service at this level.

  We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. This means that we will put disabled candidates entering under the scheme through to the next stage of the recruitment process should they meet the minimum criteria for a role. A minimum criterion needs to be measurable from reviewing a candidate’s CV/supporting statement. Exceptions may apply if due to the volume of applications we are not able to interview all eligible candidates who qualify under the scheme. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about any reasonable adjustments you need, please email hrsupport@financial-ombudsman.org.uk and let us know your preferred method of contact.

  Find out more

  Check out below channels to find out more about everyday life at the Financial Ombudsman Service – and don’t forget to follow us while you’re there!

  • LinkedIn: Financial Ombudsman Service
  • Our careers page: https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/who-we-are/join-us

  Good luck with your application!

• About the company

  The Financial Ombudsman Service is an ombudsman in the United Kingdom.

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