Head of Legal & Assurance

Our client who are a global leader in providing professional services and technology solutions to the insurance industry are seeking an experience legal and compliance professional to join their group function.

Reporting to the Head of Assurance, this opportunity will be focused on supporting their InsureTech entity in a legal, compliance, risk and assurance capacity across its current operational hubs. This is a great opportunity to join a developing 2nd Line of Defence Function and gain exposure to a broad range of legal, compliance, risk and assurance matters (both in nature and national scope) in support of a global business with ambitious growth plans.

Key responsibilities –

• You will lead the legal, compliance, risk and assurance function of the Business Unit, alongside a (to be appointed) LatAm–based regional Head of Legal and Assurance for the Business Unit who you will effectively manage.
• You will be responsible, working with other members of the Group Assurance Team (including your direct report), for ensuring that the Business Unit operates in compliance with applicable legal, regulatory and other applicable requirements across the geographies in which it operates.
• You will build strong relationships with key stakeholders in the Business Unit through proactive engagement such that you are the first point of contact for the Business' Assurance needs as well as being the link to wider Assurance functions and capable of escalating and reporting on Assurance related issues to senior Assurance colleagues and wider senior management.
• You will support the business in designing and delivering its products, services and overall strategy in a manner compliant with applicable laws and regulations (including in particular relating to data privacy) and which achieves the businesses commercial objectives while minimising risk.
• You will ensure, working with the colleagues in the Group's central commercial contracts team, that the Business Unit's contracts (both supplier and customer) are fit for purpose and include appropriate protections for the Group, including through the implementation of Group–wide policies designed to optimise and standardise contractual terms and mitigate contractual risk. You will be required to assist with the review, drafting and negotiation of Business Unit contracts alongside the central commercial contracts team and act as a link between them and key Business Unit stakeholders.
• You will act as the Compliance Officer for the Business Unit, working in conjunction with the assurance team, where necessary, having responsibility for ensuring appropriate policies, procedures and training for the Business Unit are generally in place, including, where applicable, the implementation of Group–wide policies and procedures.
• You will, working with the Group Risk Function, be responsible for championing a risk and controls culture across the Business Unit and for the effective management of risk within the Business Unit's business
• You will provide a wide range of advice on legal and compliance matters relevant to the activities of the Business Unit's business and you will, together with other key stakeholders in the Business Unit and other Group Functions, identify and implement measures for the protection of the Business Unit's business, intellectual property and other assets.
• You will monitor legal and regulatory developments relevant to the activities of the Business Unit's business and operations and its clients in order to anticipate future risks and issues and provide updates to the Business Unit's senior management, Assurance colleagues and other key stakeholders where necessary to ensure the Business Unit is prepared to respond to any such developments.
• You will support the Group Company Secretary with the administration of legal entities which sit within the Business Unit's business and the implementation and compliance with internal corporate governance policies, controls and procedures.
• You will support the Group Head of Legal with the effective management of commercial disputes and litigation to which the Business Unit becomes involved including, where relevant, liaising with insurers and the effective reporting of such matters to members of the Group Assurance Function and other key stakeholders.
• You will assist with new business activities, acquisitions and/or disposals by the Group generally and specifically in relation to the Business Unit.

Person specification

• Qualified lawyer
• Experience working in–house professional services and/or technology firm.
• Strong understanding of the technology sector and products, as well as the legal, compliance and risk issues and developments impacting them.
• Good working knowledge of a broad range of technology–related contracts (both customer and supplier) and experience drafting and negotiating them with significant market players.
• Experienced within Compliance, having responsibility for ensuring appropriate policies, procedures and training are in place.
• Proactive, with ability to work independently and drive matters forward to achieve positive outcomes in often time–sensitive timeframes.
• Strong commercial outlook and financial acumen.
• High standard of professional ethics, integrity and gravitas.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills at all levels. Spanish language skills desirable but not required.

Eames Consulting is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.