Senior Legal Counsel

at  Allianz UK

Location: London or Guildford (Hybrid)
Salary: Dep on exp + benefits
Allianz is a global insurance company serving across 70 different countries, but from the very first day you join our team you’ll know that your contributions are valued. We offer world class learning and career development opportunities, while we celebrate an inclusive culture.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Act as matter lead on material arrangements, ensuring that legal and regulatory risks are appropriately identified, managed and reported.
• Provide comprehensive, accurate, timely and cost-effective legal and regulatory advice and services, which add value to the business.
• Ensure legal advice and legal agreements are clearly documented and enforceable. Provide input into Board and Committee papers where required.
• Support and work collaboratively with the Chief Legal Officer and other members of the Legal & Corporate Governance team, including assisting, advising and coaching where appropriate. Escalate and report on matters where appropriate to Lead Counsel, Head of Legal and Chief Legal Officer.
• Build solid relationships with business partners and work collaboratively with the other assurance functions in discharging their responsibilities
• Raise the level of awareness and understanding in the business of legal issues, risks and mitigation while aligning with commercial priorities and objectives of the relevant business owners.
• Provide legal representation at a senior level for Allianz in negotiations, discussions and meetings with customers, suppliers and business partners, assisting with relationship management. Represent the legal team on management forums and project teams set up to address issues across Allianz UK.
• Where appropriate, instruct and manage external legal advisers including managing the costs of such instruction.
• Keep own legal and business knowledge up-to-date.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Qualified solicitor or barrister.

Maintains excellent and up-to-date knowledge of relevant laws and regulations, including contract terms, regulation (including Solvency II, FCA Handbook and PRA Rulebook), corporate law, intellectual property law, competition law, data protection, financial promotions, Bribery Act, prize draws/competitions/other promotional activities, Consumer Credit Act, procurement, TUPE, PCI compliance.

• Ability to optimally manage a wide variety of work from operational to strategic.
• Good relationship management skills.
• Excellent oral and written skills with the ability to summarise matters for clients and external parties.
• Excellent negotiation skills with external counterparties. In the context of high-value transactions, uses negotiation and influencing skills, commercial acumen and ‘big picture’ strategic vision.
• Excellent drafting skills. Solid experience of drafting and negotiating commercial contracts including in the insurance sector.
• Familiarity with legal policies, procedures and systems. Familiarity with other Allianz corporate rules.
• Complies with applicable continuing professional development requirements and maintains a relevant practicing certificate (or equivalent).

Post qualification experience ideally in-house. Extensive experience advising in an in-house capacity (or in private practice) with approximately 8 years of post-qualification experience (or equivalent).
Comprehensive current knowledge of relevant law, legislation and regulation concerning financial services, in particular insurance/reinsurance, data protection, competition law, intellectual property, commercial law, IT, advertising and marketing and confidentiality.

Extensive legal experience including within the insurance sector in at least one or more of the following areas:

• commercial insurance contracts (TOBAs, delegated authority agreements, AR and other distribution arrangements; affinity deals; outsourcing arrangements; service agreements; broker contracts, co-manufacturing, remuneration, panel; reinsurance, commutations
• corporate transactions including transfers of insurance business (block transfers, Part VIIs) and acquisitions/disposals
• regulatory framework and requirements in particular for the primary and secondary insurance/intermediary market: FMSA, RAO, FCA and PRA rules including ICOBS, PROD, CASS, SYSC, connected contract and other exemptions, Solvency II, passporting, FOS etc
• intellectual property issues including brand protection work, procurement, marketing/advertising, prize promotions, and social media
• policy documentation: drafting or dealing with coverage and other related issues
• managing and advising on contentious insurance and other issues, disputes, litigation, arbitration and mediation
• other legal issues including data protection, competition law and Health & Safety Executive requirements.

Experience instructing and managing external legal advisers to obtain prompt, commercially-orientated and cost-effective advice.
Strong commercial and strategic mind-set, with a track record of reacting and adapting to and implementing change at pace.
Proven negotiating experience and relationship management skills.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this role is to act as senior legal counsel to Allianz UK, managing legal risk and providing commercially focused legal advice and support.