Santander International

Head of Legal, Santander Financial Services plc (SFS) Ready to lead and shape the legal strategy of a dynamic financial services business? We're looking for a Head of Legal to support Santander Financial Services plc (SFS), providing expert legal advice, oversight, and risk management across the organisation. This is a senior, high-impact leadership role where you'll act as a trusted advisor to the Board and Executive, helping to balance commercial ambition with legal integrity while ensuring SFS operates within its risk appetite and regulatory obligations. If you're commercially minded, confident influencing at senior level, and passionate about managing legal risk in a complex financial services environment, this is an opportunity to make a real difference. What you'll do Strategic legal leadership Act as the Head of Legal for SFS, providing or procuring high-quality legal advice and support across the business. Advise the Board, Executive, and control functions, ensuring legal risks are clearly understood and effectively managed to support informed decision-making. Participate in Board and senior management meetings, contributing beyond a pure legal perspective. Identify, assess, manage, and report legal risk in line with SFS and Santander UK Group risk appetites, frameworks, and policies. Proactively anticipate legal and regulatory change impacting SFS, particularly where there are financial, regulatory, or reputational implications. Address root causes of legal and business risk issues to reduce future exposure and strengthen controls. Support the bank in meeting its financial crime compliance obligations, including AML, sanctions, anti-bribery, and tax evasion risk management. Business partnering & stakeholder engagement Build strong relationships across SFS and the wider Santander UK Group to ensure a consistent and coordinated legal approach. Act as a credible, trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, with the gravitas to influence key decisions. Engage and oversee external law firms, managing external legal spend within approved budgets. Provide SME support to key projects and workstreams across their lifecycle. Commercial & operational excellence Provide pragmatic, cost-effective, and commercially focused legal advice that enables business delivery. Ensure template documentation is robust, enforceable, and aligned with Santander UK standards. Continuously improve processes, practices, and policies in line with good industry practice. Promote strong culture and behaviours aligned with risk and regulatory expectations. What we're looking for Experience & expertise Significant senior legal experience within financial services, ideally covering private banking, wealth management, retail or commercial banking. Proven experience advising Boards and Executive teams in complex, regulated environments. Strong track record of identifying and managing legal risk within defined risk appetites and governance frameworks. Experience overseeing external legal counsel and managing legal budgets. Broad exposure to distribution, outsourcing, platform, and service contracts within financial services. Regulatory & technical knowledge Advanced understanding of the UK and Crown Dependency financial services regulatory frameworks and industry practice. Strong knowledge of applicable UK law and regulation relevant to SFS activities, including: FSMA (including RAO and ring-fencing) PRA Rulebook FCA Handbook Cross-border regulatory considerations Skills & mindset Strong commercial judgement, balancing legal integrity with business objectives. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence, challenge, and engage senior stakeholders. Credibility and gravitas as a trusted advisor. Proactive, solutions-focused, and able to prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment. Committed to continuous improvement and knowledge development. Qualifications Solicitor with a current Practising Certificate for England and Wales. Fully admitted to The Bar of England and Wales. Scottish, Crown Dependency, or equivalent foreign jurisdiction qualification. Lead the legal agenda for a dynamic and strategically important financial services entity. Work directly with the Board and senior leaders on high-impact decisions and regulatory matters. Shape legal risk management in a business operating across UK and Crown Dependencies. Be part of a collaborative Legal & Corporate Governance community within Santander UK. Make a meaningful contribution to delivering strong governance, protecting customers, and enabling sustainable business growth.