Senior Counsel

Responsibilities:

• Provide legal and regulatory leadership to Bermuda (re)insurance operations, including ILS & Third-Party Capital, (re)insurance wordings, underwriting compliance, and claims process.

• Oversee Bermuda HR/Employment matters.

• Lead ABL’s regulatory compliance strategy, including filings, approvals, and examinations; engage with Bermuda Monetary Authority and international regulators, partnering with UK & US Compliance teams as needed.

• Lead work related to Bermuda contracts, including drafting, editing, reviewing, and negotiating key contractual terms.

• Partner with Group Senior Counsel & Assistant Corporate Secretary to support corporate secretarial function, Bermuda Executive Committee, and insurance company board meetings across multiple legal entities. 

• Translate complex corporate law and regulatory concepts into clear, understandable terms for business leaders, and relevant Ascot stakeholders. 

• Regular interaction with all aspects of Ascot’s businesses, supporting underwriters, operations, IT, Finance, Corporate Development and HR, in addition to the legal department’s own teams.

• Supports capital movements and other corporate actions; oversees KYC and diligence inquiries.

• Support ABL initiatives to address evolving legal and regulatory requirements in key jurisdictions, including ESG, AI, privacy and cybersecurity.

• Work closely with the Group General Counsel on the implementation of the department's strategic direction, including modernizing the legal and compliance framework to prepare Ascot for its next phase of growth.

• Commit to The Ascot Way: As a senior member of the Legal function, the Senior Counsel, Ascot Bermuda Limited, will demonstrate The Ascot Way in their daily interaction with colleagues, fostering colleague engagement and development, collaboration, inclusivity, and individual accountability.

Requirements:

• Juris Doctor, LLB, or equivalent legal qualification required.

• Minimum of 5 -7 years of experience in either a law firm or relevant in-house position.

• Strong understanding of commercial insurance issues preferred, including distribution, risk-sharing, and intercompany contracting. Experience in P&C or Specialty P&C a strong plus.

• Experience with reinsurance and handling of HR matters (incl. employment and separation contracts, covenant enforcement, and equity compensation) are a strong plus.

• Excellent communication, organizational and time-management skills.

• Business savvy and results-focus are a necessity. This person will understand their client’s need is not just to understand legal issues but to obtain a particular business result, and persistently work to meet that need.

• Able to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and effectively prioritize matters for multiple clients.

• A self-starter, who is comfortable working independently or as part of a collaborative team, with the initiative and desire to assist with multiple projects simultaneously.

• Ability to quickly adapt and learn new areas that might fall outside his/her scope of experience.

• Strong organization, project-management skills, and a proven ability to balance multiple priorities in a dynamic environment are crucial.

• Comfort in a role responsible for developing or improving new organizational processes, as needed.

• Diplomacy, persistence, and collaboration skills are required to build appropriately healthy relationships with regulators. 

• Proven skills managing/participating in cross-departmental efforts and persistently working to take appropriate action until a matter is resolved. 

• Strong desire to learn and gain exposure to other legal and business areas. 

• Ability to travel as needed

• Admitted to practice law in Bermuda, or eligible and willing to obtain admission prior to or promptly following the start date.