Legal Counsel - Legal Strategy

The Legal Counsel – Legal Strategy will support Shawbrook’s central strategic legal function, working closely with the Head of Legal Strategy. The role will assist in shaping, coordinating, and executing key corporate and strategic matters, including M&A, finance and treasury initiatives, corporate advisory, HR, and regulatory change projects. The Legal Counsel will provide expert legal insight and governance, enabling the wider Legal Services team to focus on BAU activity.

Key Role Responsibilities

Leadership and Collaboration

• Assist in leading strategic legal projects, with oversight and guidance from the Head of Legal.
• Act as a trusted adviser to internal stakeholders, collaborating across functions.

Strategic Legal Support

Identify and manage legal risks across central, strategic legal matters, including:

• Mergers & Acquisitions (including integrations and group reorganisations)
• Corporate advisory for the Group and Board-level decision-making
• Finance and treasury initiatives (e.g., funding structures, capital markets activity)
• HR support and strategic people-related initiatives
• Complex regulatory and strategic change projects

Delivering Value & Reducing External Legal Spend

• Support efficient delivery of strategic legal work internally, reducing reliance on external counsel where possible.
• Assist in managing external legal advisers, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality service.
• Translate external advice into clear, actionable guidance for internal stakeholders, with support from the Head of Legal.

Governance, Risk & Controls

• Contribute to legal risk management frameworks, controls, and policies.
• Support the Company Secretariat team with advice to strengthen governance across strategic projects.
• Ensure legal risks are understood and proactively managed, escalating complex issues to the Head of Legal.

External Counsel Management

• Assist in managing the external legal panel for strategic matters.
• Assist in ensuring quality, efficiency, and commerciality of external legal engagements.
• Support panel reviews, performance management, and allocation of work, under the direction of the Head of Legal.

Capability Building & Training

• Participate in and facilitate training to enhance legal awareness, strategic thinking, and risk management capability.
• Promote legal knowledge-sharing and best practices across the organisation.