Overview

Location: Based from our Birmingham/London/Edinburgh offices with hybrid working options. Flexible working: All roles are open to part-time, job-share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process. Closing Date: 10/10/25. Salary and benefits: From £100,000 plus an indicative bonus range of 16%-32%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more.

We are Phoenix Group, a long-term savings and retirement business. We offer a range of products across our market-leading brands, Standard Life, SunLife, Phoenix Life and ReAssure. We are a FTSE 100 organisation focused on transitioning our portfolio to net zero by 2050 and continuing to grow.

The Role

This is an excellent opportunity to join us as a Legal Counsel on a permanent basis to work in a highly motivated legal team. The role demands high energy and self-confidence, pragmatism and curiosity to learn. It focuses on supporting the Asset Management function, particularly in capital markets, asset origination and structuring, within Phoenix’s Corporate & Commercial, Shared Services, Retirement Solutions & Asset Management legal team.

Our Retirement Solutions & Asset Management business unit oversees Phoenix Group assets in excess of £290 billion. We aim to be best in class in-house asset manager by expanding internal capacity for sourcing and managing direct illiquid asset origination alongside mandates with external investment managers. The role requires managing a variety of legal tasks, managing legal risks, horizon scanning, and active participation in the wider Phoenix General Counsel function. Our lawyers are expected to take an active interest in the wider business and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to RS&AM teams supporting the delivery of business objectives including private placements, securitisations, bonds, real estate finance, and structured products
• Manage external counsel on transactions, ensuring costs are managed appropriately
• Draft, review, and negotiate documentation supporting asset management operations and asset origination
• Handle investment management agreements and cross-border distribution contracts
• Ensure alignment with UK and EU regulatory frameworks
• Advise on legislative and regulatory changes affecting asset management operations
• Ensure compliance with FCA conduct rules, Consumer Duty, and other applicable regulations
• Identify and assess legal risks across the business unit
• Provide risk mitigation strategies and ensure decisions are legally sound

What are we looking for?

• An English or Scottish Qualified lawyer with experience gained either in-house or in private practice
• Strong understanding of financial services and asset management structures, either through private practice or in-house
• Understanding of the operations of an asset manager, asset classes and investment vehicles
• Ability to translate complex legal concepts into actionable business advice
• Ability to work across other legal disciplines required to support a Life Insurance company

Essential Criteria

• Experience in-house or from private practice in structured finance and/or asset origination
• Experience working in or with Financial Services with a key understanding of regulatory and legislative frameworks
• Ability to balance legal risk with business needs, advising stakeholders on risk tolerance and options
• Excellent communication skills to convey complex legal issues clearly to non-lawyers

We want to hire the whole version of you. We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best. We’re reviewing applications as they come in, so apply early to avoid missing out.

Find out more about:

• Guide for Candidates: thephoenixgroup.pagetiger.com/guideforcandidates
• Find or get answers from our colleagues: www.thephoenixgroup.com/careers/talk-to-us

EEO statement and accessibility: We’re committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best.

Note: We are reviewing applications as they come in; apply early to avoid missing out.