Legal Counsel

Legal Counsel

Equiniti is a leading international provider of shareholder, pension, remediation, and credit technology. With over 6000 employees, it supports 37 million people in 120 countries.

EQ is a fintech that connects the future of capital, communications, and governance, building trust and confidence in every market we serve. We are TRUSTED to deliver on our commitments, COMMERCIAL in building long term value, COLLABORATIVE in our approach and we IMPROVE by continually enhancing our skills and services. There has never been a better time to join EQ.

Core Duties/Responsibilities

As Legal Counsel you will support our EMEA region (and potentially our other territories) with broad ranging, commercially focused legal support that will ultimately enable the success and growth of our business, drive compliance and limit risk exposure.

• Work to deliver proactive, efficient and robust legal advice to a range of stakeholders on a variety of legal topics across multiple businesses and jurisdictions.
• Draft and negotiate agreements, contracts and other legal documents with a view on risk management.
• Think creatively to find solutions which support the success of our business.
• Support tender bid submissions within a specific area and optimise chances of winning.
• Assist with product development and the integration of new businesses.
• Proactively evaluate processes and procedures, identifying risks and non-compliance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Build and maintain networks internally and externally around the world.
• Build knowledge of the industries in which we operate and keep abreast of trends and developments.
• Manage your own day to day legal workload.
• Provide high quality legal input, ensure that all legal matters are properly supported.
• Challenge poor business practices and promote best practice within EQ.
• Uphold and champion EQ governance at all times.

The objectives and purpose of EQ Investment Services Legal team are as follows:

• To create commercial advantage for the EQ business.
• To champion and embed 'best-in-class' commercial processes, systems and capabilities that are essential to winning new business, balancing clients' requirements with EQ's commercial objectives.
• To manage exposure to risk through optimal contract drafting.
• To provide trusted, independent legal advice and strategy relevant to EQ's business.
• To uphold and champion EQ's governance.
• To be at the forefront in Legal technology and best practice to deliver efficiencies and value.

Skills, Capabilities and Attributes

• High degree of professional ethic and integrity.
• Legal qualification, this is a 2 to 3 year PQE level role.
• Skilled commercial contracts lawyer with sound business acumen.
• Understanding of FCA compliance environments and regulation would be advantageous.
• Understanding of Employee Share Plan structures would also see the candidate in a good place for the role.
• Knowledge of data protection legislation.
• Sound judgement and ability to analyse situations and information.
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively, adapting style to suit audience.
• Confident and assertive while remaining approachable.
• Adaptable and able to take on variety of tasks.
• Excellent technology skills with an interest in emerging technologies, such as large language models and machine learning.
• Excellent drafting skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative.
• Good verbal and written communication skills

What We Offer (UK ONLY)

• Save For Your Future - Equiniti Pension Plan; Equiniti matches your pension contributions up to 10%

• All Employee Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) - Gives all EQ Colleagues the opportunity to benefit if the current owners successfully sell the company for a profit.

• Health and Wellbeing - Employee Assistance Programme: counselling, legal & wellbeing support for colleagues and their households. Life assurance cover at 4x salary with the ability to purchase enhance cover.

• Employee discounts - Discounts and cashback at your favourite high street stores through our EQ Wins Platform.

• Flexible Benefits - The ability to purchase a wide variety of benefits through our flex plan; gadgets, travel insurance, will writing, holiday trading and more

• Time Off - Typically 29 days holiday + bank holidays. 2 volunteer days to get involved with a charity of your choosing.

• Winning together - Equiniti ICON award vouchers; recognising the individuals going above and beyond to help the business succeed.

• Learning & Development - Investment in LinkedIn Learning for all colleagues.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Please note any offer of employment is subject to satisfactory pre-employment screening checks. These consist of 5 year activity & GAP verification, DBS or Access NI, Credit, Sanctions & CIFAS checks