Legal Counsel 1-5 PQE

Your new companyYou'll be joining a leading UK insurance and financial services group that is experiencing sustained growth and continued investment. Known for its customer-centric approach, strong governance and innovation-led strategy, this organisation supports a large and diverse UK customer base. They are now seeking a Legal Counsel circa 1-5 PQE to join them in Bristol. With a collaborative culture and a clear commitment to responsible business practices, the company offers an environment where their in-house lawyers are encouraged to operate as true business partners and make a visible commercial impact.Your new roleAs Legal Counsel, you will be an integral part of an established in-house Legal function, providing pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice to stakeholders across the business. Working closely with senior leaders and cross-functional teams, you will support commercial contracts and strategic projects, managing matters from initial instruction through to completion. Reporting to a senior lawyer, you will act as a trusted adviser while developing exposure across a broad range of legal disciplines, including commercial property, litigation, intellectual property, employment and data protection. This role is ideally suited to a commercially minded lawyer who enjoys working at pace, balancing risk with business priorities and contributing to wider organisational objectives.What you'll need to succeedTo succeed in this Legal Counsel role, you will demonstrate:

• Strong experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to advise non-legal stakeholders
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver clear, timely and proportionate legal advice
• Sound commercial judgment and confidence in decision-making
• A proactive, delivery-focused and solution-orientated mindset

Desirable experience includes:

• Background within financial services or another regulated industry
• Knowledge of data protection law
• Approximately 1-5 years' PQE, gained either in-house or within a reputable commercial law firm

What you'll get in returnYou'll be rewarded with a competitive salary and a flexible, inclusive benefits package designed to support wellbeing, balance and long-term career development, including:

• Hybrid working - typically 2 days office-based, 3 days remote
• Generous annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus bank holidays
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Employer-supported pension scheme
• Flexible working arrangements and flexi-time
• Healthcare cash plan and wellbeing support
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Life assurance

Apply nowIf you're a commercially driven Legal Counsel looking to progress your in-house career within a growing, well-regulated organisation where your advice has real influence, this is an opportunity worth exploring. Please contact Harriet Chapman at Hays Legal for further information. Apply now to take the next step in your legal career.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk