Job Description

Shape the future of pensions investment as Senior Legal Counsel at LGPS Central.

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Working for a major provider of asset management services to local government pension schemes, the Senior Legal Counsel has accountability for leading on legal advice for significant business initiatives, overseeing a portfolio of transactional and other critical legal work and advising the business at a senior level.


As the Pool grows in line with Government ambition, this role will be central to ensuring strong legal oversight, supporting new fund launches, and safeguarding Partner Fund interests.


If you're a senior lawyer with experience in financial services, pensions, or institutional investment, this is a unique opportunity to make an impact.

What you'll be doing:

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As a Senior Legal Counsel, here is a flavour of what you'll get involved in:

Providing legal advice to the business teams in respect of all asset classes managed by LGPS Central and the corporate structure. Assist the Head of Legal in setting policies and procedures that manage the legal impact of external factors. Provision of pragmatic, business focused legal advice to seek to mitigate/optimise risk in respect of all matters within remit illustrating a clear understanding of legal, financial, regulatory, conduct and reputational risks. Ensuring relevant internal policies and standards are complied with, manage and provide oversight of legal impact of external factors or disputes relating to asset management services and operations. Assisting the Head of Legal in any input to relevant risk management forums including inputs from stakeholders and sharing outputs, engagement in industry bodies, engaging with regulators and government and supporting responses to consultations and proposed legislative change. Supporting the Head of Legal in all aspects of work with a high degree of independence and autonomy. Coaching/mentoring of the Legal Counsel(s) and/or any paralegals within the team through knowledge sharing and guidance. Delegating and supervising legal matters across the team, as appropriate. Managing the quality control of legal advice from the Legal Counsel, any Trainee or Paralegal (internally) and external legal advisors. Anticipating issues and estimate legal risks strategically. Base decision making process on ethics and integrity. Lead by example and create associations of trust and respect with key internal and external stakeholders. Negotiate with external parties (regulators, external counsel, clients) as appropriate. Identify need for external advice; specify and coordinate the delivery of such advice. Handling ad hoc queries from the business, supporting the deal teams, litigation and managing contentious issues.

About Us

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LGPS Central (LGPSC) Ltd is the FCA regulated asset manager for eight local authority pension funds across the Midlands. LGPSC is jointly owned on an equal shares basis by those Partner Fund, and it is responsible for managing 45bn+ of their assets. It is one of eight Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) asset pools in the UK.


LGPS Central's Partner Funds are:

Cheshire Pension Fund Derbyshire Pension Fund Leicestershire Pension Fund Nottinghamshire Pension Fund Shropshire Pension Fund Staffordshire Pension Fund West Midlands Pension Fund Worcestershire Pension Fund

The Company is committed to responsible investment and has made responsible investment a core part of the investment process in every asset class.


LGPS Central offers a friendly and diverse, hybrid working environment with a range of employee benefits. The Company moved to new premises at i9, Wolverhampton Interchange in January 2022, close to local transport links.

Our objective is to be a leading investment management company working with and for our Partner Funds. With a focus on value for money and performance we want to aspire to be one of the best because this is how we will deliver the superior investment returns and low costs for our Partner Funds.

Requirements

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A Overall broad legal knowledge (corporate, commercial, financial, etc) Transactional experience across the investment and investment funds sector advantageous. In depth understanding of how legal issues effect organisations. Experience of negotiating agreements. High degree of professional ethics and integrity. Good judgement and analytical skills. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to anticipate legal issues or risks.

Qualifications

Must be a qualified solicitor with a minimum of 5 years PQE. Educated to Degree level. LPC or equivalent.

Other

Professional membership of the regulatory body for practicing business law in England and Wales.

What do we offer?

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We are proud to provide our people with a premium and exclusive benefits package and we are continually improving the rewards we offer. Here are a few of the valuable rewards that you will enjoy:

Competitive salary An enhanced and generous Pension Scheme 30 days' paid holiday plus bank holidays 2 days paid volunteering days An extra paid Company Day in addition to paid holidays Excellent Learning & Development Opportunities Welfare and Family friendly policies Enhanced pay for new parents Access to our Employee Assistance Programme 247 Health & Wellbeing Support Vitality Private Medical Insurance Hybrid Working Company Service Awards Cycle to Work Scheme Company Electric Vehicle Scheme Nominees of the Family Friendly Employer of the Year 2022 Personnel Today Awards 2022 Winner of the Cultural Awareness Initiative of the Year FT Advisors Diversity in Finance Awards 2023 * Winner of Diversity and Inclusion Award LAPF In Investments Award 2023