Legal Counsel

As one of the fastest-growing building societies in the UK - with a proud heritage and bold ambitions for the future - it's easy to see why we stand out. Everything we do is driven by our desire to Help People Live Better Lives: supporting our members, strengthening our communities, and acting with integrity at every step.

To support our growth, we've created a brand-new in-house legal role. We're looking for someone to join our Legal & Governance team with the passion and skills to make a difference. You'll advise on commercial contracts and other matters that affect our mortgages and savings operations, and partner with colleagues to spot and manage legal, commercial and ethical risks.

This is a role with variety, visibility and impact - giving you the chance to influence how we do business in a supportive, purpose-driven organisation.

Main Responsibilities

You'll work with the General Counsel & Secretary to:

• draft, review and negotiate a range of commercial and customer agreements, e.g. supplier contracts, intermediary terms of business, software licences and NDAs;
• design, implement and maintain CLM processes, tools and templates;
• review and maintain loan documentation e.g. offer letters and security documents;
• provide general advice across other areas, e.g. mortgages, savings, consumer protection, privacy and data protection;
• identify legal risks, carry out horizon scanning, and support risk mitigation;
• work with external counsel where specialist input is needed, ensuring value and quality;
• develop colleagues' understanding of legal requirements, contracting processes and best practice through training and education; and
• support with board and committee matters, corporate governance and company secretarial activity, where required.
  
  

What We're Looking For

• You'll be a qualified solicitor or barrister in England & Wales with post-qualification experience gained in an in-house commercial environment.

Experience in financial services is desirable.

You must be proficient in drafting and reviewing commercial contracts, with a solid grasp of relevant legal principles and the ability to apply your knowledge in given situations.

Similarly, proficiency in Microsoft 365, especially Microsoft Word and tracked changes, is critical, as is a desire to adopt legal tech tools to drive continuous improvement.

You'll need to be organised with a close attention to detail, and a clear communicator.

The role is hands-on and the team is busy, so the ability to manage multiple priorities independently and work flexibly are key.

Why join us?

This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who's ready to take a step forward in their legal career within financial services. You'll join a supportive team, get exposure to different parts of the business, and play a part in driving meaningful change. If you're ambitious, values-driven, and excited to grow - we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Get In Return

• £60,000-£80,000 per annum (depending on skills and experience)
• Intelligent working - split your time between home and our Brierley Hill office;
• 30 days' holiday + bank holidays + 'Moments that Matter' days (birthdays, weddings, getting your house keys, welcoming a grandchild - the moments that count)
• Up to 8% pension contribution
• Life assurance at 4 salary
• Full Private Medical Insurance for you and your family
• A healthcare plan for everyday essentials like dental and optical
• Access to our Salary Sacrifice schemes: Cycle to Work and Electric Car schemes
  
  

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

We're building a culture where everyone feels respected, supported and valued. Diversity isn't a tick-box for us - it's a strength we actively champion. Whoever you are, and whatever makes you you, you'll be welcomed here and encouraged to thrive.

And there's more

We're a Certified B Corp and officially a Great Place to Work in the UK - and for good reason. Head over to our careers page to discover what life is like at The Dudley: who we are, what drives us, and why joining us could be the best move you make next.

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