Job Title: Senior In-House Lawyer
Location: Bexhill (Hybrid)
Role Overview
As a Senior In-House Lawyer you will be a trusted legal advisor to the business, providing high-quality, commercially focused legal support across a broad range of matters. The role combines advanced technical legal expertise with leadership responsibilities, including people management, legal operations support and strategic contributions to the direction of the Legal team. You will support and deputise for the Head of Legal, take ownership of key legal areas, strategic initiatives and team development.
Responsibilities
* Provide expert legal advice across the business, including complex, high‑value and strategic matters.
* Draft, negotiate and advise on a wide range of commercial, outsourcing, technology and insurance‑related contracts.
* Lead on complex or high‑risk transactions, ensuring risk identification and mitigation.
* Advise on regulatory requirements, policy wording and customer journeys, translating legal issues into clear business guidance.
* Align legal advice to commercial objectives and risk appetite, acting as a strategic partner to stakeholders.
* Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, influencing decision‑making at leadership level.
* Provide strategic legal input into business initiatives, product development and change programmes.
* Anticipate legal and regulatory developments and advise on forward‑looking risks and opportunities.
* Support the Head of Legal in legal operations including technology, systems, process improvement and efficiency initiatives.
* Identify opportunities to improve legal service delivery, scalability and consistency; contribute to data, reporting and KPI development.
* Directly manage legal administration staff – work allocation, prioritisation, performance management, development and coaching.
* Promote a culture of high performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
* Mentor and coach junior lawyers and trainees, supporting capability development across the team and contributing to training initiatives.
* Lead and deliver strategic legal or business projects, take ownership of defined legal workstreams or specialist areas, drive change initiatives and support implementation.
Qualifications
* Significant post‑qualification experience (typically 11+ PQE) in‑house or in private practice, with experience in insurance, financial services or regulated environments highly desirable.
* Experience in managing and mentoring others in a legal capacity.
* Significant experience contributing to legal operations and change/transformation initiatives.
* Advanced contract drafting and negotiation experience, including complex and high‑value agreements.
* Strong regulatory and risk‑management capability.
* Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills; able to interpret complex legal and regulatory landscapes.
* Disability‑confident applicant; no sponsorship will be offered.
Benefits
* Competitive salary and £5k car allowance.
* Flexible hybrid working approach.
* Competitive bonus scheme – eligibility for annual 4Cs performance bonus.
* Physical wellbeing: private medical insurance (PMI), home care and health plans.
* Financial wellbeing: life assurance cover, income protection at no extra cost, matched pension contributions up to 10%, and additional perks such as discounts, cashback and financial wellbeing support.
* Mental wellbeing programme: mental health app, colleague assistance programme, in‑house mental health first aiders and support groups.
* 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, with option to buy or sell a week; additional facilities such as healthcare cash‑back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, cycle‑to‑work and tech schemes.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer and treats people fairly regardless of gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.
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