Legal Counsel

· Division: Business Services

· Team: Legal, Compliance and Risk

· Location: Leeds

About Alpha FMC

Alpha Financial Markets Consulting is a leading global consultancy to the financial services industry. Founded in 2003, we have worked for over 20 years to bring together specialist, sector-focused strategy, management consulting and technology expertise to support the entire client transformation lifecycle. Having partnered with more than 1,200 clients worldwide across the asset and wealth management, alternatives and insurance industries, Alpha is truly a trusted advisor for complex change programmes. We now have over 1,180 consultants working with clients across North America, the UK, Europe, Middle East and APAC. In 2024, in recognition of our successful track record and strong growth prospects, Alpha was acquired by Bridgepoint, one of the world's leading quoted private asset growth investors. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are delighted that many of our team have built long and fulfilling careers with us, many staying over a decade. We believe this is because Alpha offers a genuinely rewarding place to work: a meritocratic environment where your career can flourish, and a welcoming culture where you can be yourself, connect with others and thrive. As we look to the future, we’re excited to be looking for new Alpha colleagues - individuals who are collaborative, innovative and ambitious. We hope you will join us and help shape the next chapter of our growth journey.

Why join Alpha Business Services?

· Be part of something successful - We’re an established professional services firm with an ambitious growth trajectory. Your work directly supports and impacts our business success and makes a real contribution to the company's success story.

· Unlock your potential - You’ll grow through meaningful work, real exposure to new challenges and continuous learning. Stretch your skills, take ownership of key responsibilities and access progression opportunities as our company grows.

· Belong to a great international team - Our culture is collaborative, supportive, and social. You’ll work with people who value teamwork, celebrate success and genuinely enjoy working together.

· Thrive with us - Benefit from flexible working, market-aligned pay and benefits and a supportive environment that helps you do your best work

Overview of Business Services

While consultants focus on delivery client value, our 'Business Services’ function ensures that the company runs efficiently and appropriately across a number of operational areas: People, Operations, IT, Legal and Finance. Together, these teams ensure the consultants are fully supported - working from a strong operational base that’s efficient, innovative and compliant. Business Services doesn’t just enable delivery; it empowers Alpha’s long-term success.

Overview of Legal, Compliance and Risk

The Legal, Compliance and Risk team plays a critical role across Alpha’s activities globally. Legal Services manages contractual engagement with clients, partners and vendors and provides other general legal support to the business. Corporate Services supports Alpha’s acquisitions and manages Alpha’s corporate structure and equity schemes. Compliance and Risk ensures that the business complies with its legal and regulatory obligations across all business activities, while assisting the business to identify and manage risk. The Legal, Compliance and Risk team is a trusted advisor to the business helping its growth organically, by acquisition and through new geographical and services activities.

Role & Requirements

Role: We are looking to hire a Legal Counsel into the Legal, Compliance and Risk team. Key responsibilities will include:

· Providing support to the business in respect of contractual relationships with new and existing clients, including reviewing, drafting and negotiating

• MSAs,
• Terms and conditions of engagement,
• SOWs,
• NDAs and
• Sub-contract arrangements

· Reviewing and negotiating supplier contracts (particularly with IT product and services providers) and partnership arrangements with providers of technology solutions.

· Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a broad range of IT/tech and professional services agreements, including:

• SaaS agreements, cloud hosting, software licensing
• Partner/reseller and referral agreements
• Data Processing Agreements, joint controller clauses, data transfer mechanisms (including SCCs and the UK International Data Transfer Addendum)
• InfoSec/IT requirements, including customer security questionnaires and annexes

· Drafting and maintaining template documentation across Alpha’s business units.

· Ensuring contracts comply with applicable law, industry regulations and Alpha policies

· Working closely with all Alpha’s business divisions, with particular focus on UK, MENA and APAC

· Providing support on other legal matters on an ad hoc basis

Qualifications:

Must have:

· Qualified solicitor in England and Wales (or equivalent common law qualification).

· 2 to 4 years’ post-qualification experience in a law firm or in‑house environment (technology, SaaS, IT services, consulting or financial services preferred).

· Solid experience drafting and negotiating SaaS, IT, and professional services contracts.

· Strong understanding of UK and EU data protection law (UK GDPR, EU GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018) and standard privacy contracting.

· Ability to engage directly with business teams and provide clear, practical advice.

· Excellent negotiation and communication skills.

· Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Good to have:

· Experience of working in the professional services and/or financial services industries

· Experience of advising on contracts governed by laws other than English law, particularly in MENA and APAC

Location and working pattern:

Alpha is proud to offer a hybrid working arrangement wherein staff are able to combine office and home working. This would typically mean 2-3 days in the Leeds Alpha office; however the exact arrangements will be confirmed based upon the role and responsibilities. Occasional travel might be required, more likely at senior levels.

Benefits & Compensation

· Competitive salary with annual profit-sharing opportunity

· 25 days’ holiday additional to bank holidays

· Private Medical Health Insurance

· Life Insurance

· Mobile phone and Company laptop

The Legal, Compliance and Risk team is a trusted advisor to the business, supporting Alpha’s growth organically, through acquisition, and via new geographical and service activities. This role offers the chance to make a real impact in a collaborative and internationally focused environment.

At Alpha, diversity, equity and inclusion are critical to our success. Our priorities show a focus on fostering an inclusive, equitable workplace where individuals are treated fairly regardless of gender or background. We welcome applications from disabled people and are committed to making our recruitment process and workplace accessible and inclusive for everyone.