Senior Legal Counsel

JOB PURPOSE

To provide high‑quality, commercially focused advice and delivery across a broad range of matters, supporting the Chief Legal & Corporate Affairs Officer and with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels across the Bank. Operating within a small, team, the role combines a wide range of hands‑on legal work with company secretarial and wider governance responsibilities, including deputising for the Chief Legal & Corporate Affairs Officer as required. The role holder will be involved in a wide variety of legal and governance matters, helping the Bank meet its legal and governance obligations while supporting the delivery of strategic business objectives within the agreed risk appetite.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY DUTIES

• Provide pragmatic and commercial legal and governance advice within a UK private banking context.
• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of documentation, including client and product documentation and commercial/supplier contracts.
• Support the delivery of strategic initiatives, change projects and new product development, balancing risk with commercial objectives.
• Identify, assess and manage legal and regulatory risks, contributing to the development of frameworks, policies and processes.
• Support and deputise for the Chief Legal & Corporate Affairs Officer, acting as a key day‑to‑day legal contact for the business.
• Act as Secretary for Management and Board level Committees, including preparing and collating papers, minuting meetings, and advising stakeholders on governance pathways and decision-making.
• Key point of contact for shareholder matters, including responding to queries.
• Undertake legal and governance horizon scanning, providing insight and reporting on relevant developments.
• Manage external legal counsel, ensuring effective outcomes and cost control.
• Build strong relationships across the business, acting as a trusted adviser and translating complex issues into clear, actionable guidance.
• Contribute to the development of the legal function, including improving templates, processes and knowledge sharing.
• Handle business-as-usual legal queries, working flexibly across a broad range of issues and projects.
• Support and guide the adoption of technology, including AI, to enhance the delivery, efficiency, and insight of the Legal team.

REQUIRED QUALIFCATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, & SKILLS

• Qualified solicitor (Scotland or England & Wales), with significant post-qualification experience (typically 6+ years) gained in private practice and/or in-house.
• Strong technical expertise in commercial contracts and both personal and corporate law, with a sound understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to private banking.
• Experience operating in a highly regulated environment, ideally within banking, wealth management, or financial services, with a focus on delivering practical, business‑aligned legal advice.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn – the role will have broad responsibilities within a small business and the successful candidate will have to manage a broad range of competing priorities.
• The communication skills and gravitas to interact and influence and Board and executive level.
• Experience or a willingness to learn and devote a material portion of the role to company secretarial and corporate governance, including supporting Board and committees.
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills, with the ability to present complex legal issues clearly and influence decision-making.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability, with the ability to assess and proactively mitigate legal risk.
• The drive to operate autonomously within a small team, while maintaining a collaborative approach.
• Proven relationship‑building skills, with the ability to work effectively across the Bank and external stakeholders.
• Highly organised, with strong prioritisation skills and ability to deliver at pace.

About us

At Hampden Bank, we provide private banking as it should be: approachable, accessible expertise delivered through loyal, long-lasting client relationships. Personalised service is at the core of our business, with a culture that is built on relationships. We take the time to get to know our clients to help them achieve their aspirations.

Why join us

As a growing and ambitious company, we seek people to join our team who share our values; Proud Ownership, Absolute Integrity, Total Inclusivity, Winning Teamwork and Purposeful Growth. 

We are committed to an inclusive culture where everyone is comfortable to be their authentic self. We recognise, value and respect diverse cultures, knowledge, and identities. We work together to ensure collaboration, development, and success for everyone, supporting them to thrive and reach their potential.

We offer exciting career opportunities through professional and personal development, and have an extensive range of benefits you can enjoy.

To apply

Please submit your CV by the closing date. Please remember, on occasion we do receive more applications than expected we may bring the closing date forward, so please do apply promptly.

If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process, please let us know by contacting the People Team and we will endeavour assist you.

If you are excited about this opportunity and think you can bring value to the role and Hampden Bank, but your experience does not align perfectly with every aspect of what we are looking for, we would be happy to hear from you.

If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about the role, please contact the People Team and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Hybrid working / flexible working

We support hybrid working and our policy is that colleagues spend at least 60% of their working week in the office to connect and collaborate with their colleagues.

We are open to considering requests from candidates who are looking for flexible arrangements. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you are looking for, and we will explore what is possible for the role. We cannot promise to meet every request, but we will not judge you for asking.