We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they don't tick every box. If you're excited about working for us and have most of the skills or experience we're looking for, please go ahead and apply. We’d love to hear from you!
About the role
We have an exciting 12-month fixed term contract opportunity for a highly experienced, business-minded litigation lawyer to join us in our Disputes and Contentious Risk team. As Principal Legal Counsel, you will join a collaborative, supportive legal team with great ideas and big ambitions for the future of HL. We provide legal advice, support, and challenge across the HL Group. We manage legal risks and use commercial, legal, and business partnering skills to support HL in achieving its strategic objectives, while ensuring HL meets its legal and regulatory obligations.Reporting into the Director of Disputes and Contentious Risk, the Principal Legal Counsel will primarily be responsible for the provision of litigation services to the business, ensuring effective management of contentious legal and litigation risk across the HL Group.
You will possess a range of experience from within the retail Financial Services industry to complement our passionate and skilled team in delivering a best-in-class service and be able to demonstrate this via pragmatic and knowledgeable application.
What you’ll be doing
- Providing expert and pragmatic litigation services to the business, effectively managing legal and litigation risk.
- Supporting the legal team and the business in managing litigation workstreams, including disclosure, expert and witness evidence.
- Liaising with external lawyers and counsel in litigation management.
- Assisting with the development of the legal team’s training and knowledge function, including delivering training in litigation, where required.
- Taking an active role in supporting the Director of Disputes and Contentious Risk in shaping the legal team’s strategy and in achieving its strategic goals.
- Building and maintaining networks internally and externally and keeping abreast of developments in relevant law and regulation.
About you
- Qualified Solicitor (10+ years PQE)
- Experience in litigation and contentious financial services matters, preferably within a retail context, and ideally with in-house experience.
- Excellent understanding of Financial Services litigation, UK financial service laws, including FCA regulation and the FOS.
- Ability to proactively and effectively collaborate with business stakeholders, translating complex matters into easily understood pragmatic legal advice.
- Comfortable working in a dynamic environment and across a broad range of matters.
- Excellent technical and drafting skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Excellent attention to detail.
Interview process
This will be a two-stage interview process, consisting of a competency based interview and a case study.
Working Schedule
This role is based in Bristol head office, BS1 5HL. This role is a 12 month FTC, full time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. For this role we offer a hybrid flexible working pattern to enable you the option of working from home and coming into the office.
Why us?
Here at HL, we’re the UK’s number 1 investment platform for private investors, based in Bristol. For more than 40 years we’ve helped investors save time, tax and money on their investments.
To achieve our mission, we believe we have a workplace like no other, with constant learning, dynamic teams, and a great ethos. We're steered by core values that promote service, quality, innovation, and opportunity in everything we do.
What's on offer?
- Discretionary annual bonus* and annual pay review
- 25 days* holiday plus bank holidays and 1-day additional Christmas closure
- Option to purchase an additional 5 days holiday**
- Flexible working options available, including hybrid working
- Enhanced parental leave
- Pension scheme up to 11% employer contribution
- Income Protection and Life insurance (4 x salary core level of cover)
- Private medical insurance*
- Health care cash plans - including optical, dental, and outpatient care
- Health screening programme
- Help@hand - confidential support including mental health counselling and remote GP
- Wellhub - unlimited access to fitness providers and wellness coach sessions
- Variety of travel to work schemes with bike storage and shower facilities
- Inhouse barista and deli serving subsidised coffee and sandwiches
- Two paid volunteering days per year
* dependant on role level
** only available to select during our annual benefits window, in November each year
Hargreaves Lansdown is an inclusive employer that values diversity in its workforce. We encourage applications from all individuals without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age.
This role may also be available on a flexible working or part time basis – please ask the Recruitment & Onboarding team for more information.
Please note, we are unable to provide employment sponsorship to candidates.
Skills Required
- Qualified Solicitor with 10+ years PQE
- Experience in litigation and contentious financial services matters
- Experience within a retail financial services context
- In-house legal experience (ideally)
- Excellent understanding of UK financial services law, FCA regulation and the FOS
- Ability to translate complex matters into pragmatic legal advice and collaborate with stakeholders
- Excellent technical and drafting skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication and stakeholder influence skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Right to work in the UK without sponsorship; able to work from Bristol head office (hybrid)
What We Do
We’re the UK’s number 1 investment platform for private investors, based in Bristol, where we now employ over 1,700 people. For more than 40 years we’ve helped investors save time, tax and money on their investments. Today we're trusted by over 1.7 million clients. Our service allows clients to bring all their ISAs, pensions, SIPPS, and savings into one easy to manage place, allowing them to be in control.
