Senior Legal Counsel

Join LGPS Central at a pivotal moment—where investment meets long term impact.The Senior Legal Counsel is a senior member of the Legal team responsible for leading designated portfolios of legal work and providing expert, commercially focussed and risk-based legal advice across LGPS Central.The role supports the General Counsel in delivering an effective, business-focused Legal and Governance function and is expected to lead complex legal matters, strategic initiatives, transactions and stakeholder engagement with their areas of responsibility.The Senior Legal Counsel acts as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, identifies and manages legal risk, and contributes to the development of legal capability, processes and continuous improvement across the organisation.Operating with a high degree of autonomy the postholder is expected to exercise sound judgement, collaborate effectively across functions and escalate material, novel or sensitive matters to the General Counsel as appropriate.The Senior Legal Counsel may supervise legal colleagues and may deputise for the General Counsel in relation to specific matters, governance forums or projects where delegated.What you'll be doing:Legal leadershipLead designated legal portfolios, business areas, asset classes, programmes or specialist practice areas allocated by the General Counsel.Provide commercially focused legal advice on significant corporate, commercial, investment, procurement, employment, governance and regulatory matters.Lead complex commercial, investment and supplier negotiations and support the business in achieving commercial objectives whilst appropriately managing legal and regulatory risk.Act as trusted adviser to senior stakeholders and contribute to effective strategic decision making.Support strategic initiatives, organisational change, fund launches, business growth and other major projects within the postholder’s area of responsibility.Anticipate emerging legal, regulatory and market developments and advise on potential impacts.Exercise independent judgment on matters within delegated authority.Determine when matters can be resolved autonomously and when escalation is required.Legal Risk and Regulatory SupportIdentify, assess and manage legal risks arising within areas of responsibility.Escalate material, high-risk, sensitive or precedent-setting matters to the General Counsel.Work closely with Risk and Compliance colleagues to ensure legal, regulatory, conduct and governance considerations are appropriately coordinated.Support responses to consultations, regulatory engagement and legislative developments affecting LGPS Central.Disputes and Contentious MattersManage and support disputes, litigation, complaints, investigations, regulatory enquiries and other contentious matters within the postholder's area of responsibility.Escalate significant contentious matters to the General Counsel and support the coordination of external legal advisers where required.Governance and Decision-Making SupportProvide legal support to governance committees, working groups and decision-making forums as required.Support effective corporate governance through the provision of clear and pragmatic legal advice.Assist with governance-related projects and initiatives delegated by the General Counsel.Legal Services DeliveryLead the delivery of complex legal matters and transactions from inception through to completion.Manage competing priorities effectively and ensure legal support is delivered in a timely, pragmatic and business-focused manner.Support the development and implementation of legal policies, controls, templates and guidance.Contribute to the continuous improvement of legal processes and service delivery arrangements.Develop and maintain precedents, playbooks, guidance notes and legal know-how resources.Promote knowledge sharing across the Legal and Governance team and wider business.Promote the effective use of legal technology, knowledge management and process improvement initiatives.Team and Capability DevelopmentCoach and develop junior legal colleagues.Share knowledge and contribute to team capability building.Provide appropriate supervision in accordance with professional obligations.Review work and support quality assurance activities where required.Contribute to recruitment, succession planning and talent development initiatives.Contribute to the strategic development of the Legal function.Support improvements to legal service delivery, resource management, technology adoption and business engagement.Promote a proactive and commercially focussed legal culture across the business.External Adviser ManagementManage external advisers on matters within the postholder's portfolio.Ensure external legal support is appropriately scoped and provides value for money.Review advice critically and translate recommendations into practical business outcomes.Monitor expenditure and report significant budget issues to the General Counsel.About usLGPS Central (LGPSC) Ltd is the FCA regulated asset manager for fourteen 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 £100bn+ of their assets. It is one of six Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) asset pools in the UK.LGPS Central’s Partner Funds are:Cheshire Pension FundDerbyshire Pension FundLeicestershire Pension FundNottinghamshire Pension FundShropshire Pension FundStaffordshire Pension FundWest Midlands Pension FundWorcestershire Pension FundGloucestershire Pension FundHampshire Pension FundSuffolk County CouncilWiltshire Pension FundNorfolk Pension FundOxfordshire Pension FundThe 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 i10, Railway Drive in September 2026, 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

Experience operating as a senior lawyer in a regulated environment.Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and challenge constructively.Experience leading complex projects, transactions or legal workstreams.Demonstrable ability to exercise judgement and manage legal risk independently.Experience supervising, coaching or developing junior lawyers.Ability to balance legal risk, commercial objectives and organisational priorities.Experience managing external legal advisers and legal spend.Strong written and verbal communication skills suitable for interaction with senior management and governance bodies.

Qualifications

Qualified solicitor with a current practising certificate.Significant post qualification experience, gained within financial services, asset management, investment management, corporate or commercial law.Any other experience of the investment or asset management sector would be advantageous.Professional membership of the relevant legal.What do we offer?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 salaryAn enhanced and generous Pension Scheme30 days' paid holiday plus bank holidays2 days paid volunteering daysAn extra paid Company Day in addition to paid holidaysExcellent Learning & Development OpportunitiesWelfare and Family friendly policiesEnhanced pay for new parentsAccess to our Employee Assistance Programme 247 Health & Wellbeing SupportVitality Private Medical InsuranceHybrid WorkingCompany Service AwardsCycle to Work SchemeCompany Electric Vehicle SchemeWinner of the Cultural Awareness Initiative of the Year FT Advisors Diversity in Finance Awards 2023Winner of Diversity and Inclusion Award LAPF In Investments Award 2023Winner of LAPF Investment InnovationWinner of Pool of the Year 2025