Senior Legal Counsel – Permanent – Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh. Our hybrid model requires colleagues to be in the office a minimum of 40% of their time.
Salary: £77,840 – £116,760 depending on experience.
Closing date: 23rd April 2026.
Job Summary
A trusted Senior Legal Counsel who can influence Aegon’s strategic thinking and support key business decisions. You’ll provide high‑quality legal and technical advice that directly influences our business decisions and supports the delivery of innovative, compliant product propositions. You’ll lead the legal work on major strategic projects, analyse and interpret complex regulatory change, and ensure our product documentation meets the highest standards. You’ll work closely with senior leaders across the organisation, including executive‑level stakeholders, building strong relationships and acting as a trusted adviser. You’ll also support the resolution of complex disputes, represent Group Legal across governance forums, and provide expert guidance on ad‑hoc matters where your deep technical expertise is needed. This is a strategic, high‑impact role where your specialist knowledge will shape decisions that help Aegon continue to deliver for its customers.
Key Responsibilities
* Deliver expert legal and technical guidance on strategic proposition initiatives, ensuring clear interpretation of evolving pension legislation and regulation.
* Lead the delivery of legal work on product development initiatives, ensuring advice is timely, pragmatic and commercially focused.
* Ensure customer‑facing contractual documentation – such as scheme rules, policy conditions, applications, declarations and trusts – is accurate and fit for purpose.
* Provide expert guidance on complex and high‑stake pensions disputes, evaluating risks and recommending pragmatic solutions.
* Represent Group Legal and/or the Head of Legal (Propositions) on governance committees to influence and support business decision‑making.
* Provide specialist legal guidance on ad‑hoc complex queries across the business.
* Support wider Group Legal & Board Office priorities, including work beyond core proposition matters when required.
Qualifications & Experience
* A qualification as a solicitor or advocate/barrister (Scotland and/or England).
* Expert knowledge of technical pensions law and the wider pensions regime (HMRC, DWP, The Pensions Regulator).
* Experience gained in‑house or in private practice within a specialist pensions environment.
* Knowledge of ISAs, GIAs, platforms, trust law, investment funds or fund management agreements.
* The ability to advise, influence and build credibility with senior leadership, including executive stakeholders.
* Strong communication skills and the confidence to provide clear, solution‑focused legal and commercial advice.
* Expertise in analysing complex legislation and regulatory material and applying it pragmatically to business needs.
* Excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to work autonomously, prioritising effectively.
* Experience leading strategic projects and influencing key decisions.
Benefits
* We’re serious about your future and our enhanced pension scheme is now in place. We ask you to contribute 3% of your salary to your pension and we’ll put in 9%. If you decide to contribute more, we’ll match it up to a combined total of 20% of your salary (that’s 7% from you and 13% from us).
* A discretionary bonus, depending on personal and company performance.
* Annual car allowance.
* 38 days leave per year (including bank holidays, pro‑rated for part‑time).
We also offer private medical cover, life assurance, critical illness cover, enhanced parental leave and a variety of lifestyle benefits, including retail discount vouchers, cycle‑to‑work scheme, subsidised restaurant and online GP appointments.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their age, disability, race, religion/belief, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity.
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