Job Title Head of Legal Utmost International has retained Brightwater Executive exclusively to assist them their search for this Head of Legal Appointment.
All queries will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence and should be directed to Estelle Davis at Brightwater Executive About the Company Utmost International encompasses two core business lines, Utmost Wealth Solutions and Utmost Corporate Solutions.
Utmost Wealth Solutions is our insurance-based savings, investment and wealth solutions arm, which serves our European clients, with offices also located in Luxembourg, the Isle of Man and Guernsey.
Utmost Corporate Solutions is our specialist employee benefits and group risk solutions arm (covering Life, Income Protection, Critical Illness and Savings Solutions), which serves our European and international corporate markets.
Their growth story to date along with their long-standing customer partnerships is enabled by a team of highly collaborative, customer centric and responsive industry experts.
About the Position Reporting to the Chief Risk Officer, the Head of Legal position will play a pivotal role towards supporting and enabling our clients strategic road map, working closely with the wider cross functional senior leadership teams both locally and across different hubs.
Leading and mentoring the in-house legal team, the successful candidate will provide expert legal advice, ensuring compliance with industry regulations, and mitigation of key legal risks.
Key Responsibilities Legal Leadership: Lead and manage the legal team, providing strategic direction, mentorship and professional growth.
Ensure robust oversight of resources (internal and external counsel).
Ensure operational efficiencies are met and transaction deadlines are completed in a timely manner to align against the corporate goals, balancing operational and strategic priorities.
Contract Management: Manage directly and oversee the teams workload across: Drafting, reviewing, and negotiations of commercial contract agreements (asset management, custody, intermediary, vendor), along with outsourcing master agreements, and other legal documents.
Advisory Role: Provide proactive legal advice to the Board and senior management on a wide range of issues, including regulatory compliance, corporate governance, litigation and legal risk management.
External Coordination: Coordinate with external legal counsel as needed and management and oversight of budget spend.
Legal Regulatory Responsibilities: Lead interactions with key regulatory stakeholders (i.e.
Financial Services & Pensions Ombudsman) and in relevant cross border life insurance industry forums.
Remain current on legal and regulatory developments within the EU.
Risk Management: Collaborate with key stakeholders within the Risk and Compliance teams and provide such assistance as required to ensure the firms compliance with applicable legal and regulatory matters.
Identify and mitigate legal risks associated with the company's operations and transactions.
Stakeholder Management: Preparation and presentation of legal reports to the Board and senior management as required.
This role is a controlled function as defined by the Central Bank Reform Act 2010, Regulations
Any appointment will be conditional upon satisfying the company that the jobholder meets the requirements as set out in the Fitness and Probity Standards issued by the Central Bank.
Experience/Requirements Qualified solicitor or barrister in Ireland with ideally 7-10 years + post qualification experience.
Ideally from a mid/top tier firm or an in-house role within financial services.
Sound European cross border insurance experience or life assurance product knowledge would be advantageous.
Adept communication, negotiation, and leadership skills with proven experience in providing solution focused advice on a variety of legal matters.
Strong cross functional team collaborator, commercially astute and highly developed and successful negotiation skills.
The ideal role holder should be able to demonstrate a pragmatic and balanced view of the role together with pro-active advisory support for business opportunities and long-term strategic initiatives.
Skills Corporate Law Contract Negotiation Legal Risk Assessment Strategic Legal Advice Team Leadership & Mentorship Litigation Management Excellence and best practise skills in report writing and communications Contact Utmost International has retained Brightwater Executive exclusively to assist them with a formal executive search for this Head of Legal Appointment.
All queries will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence and should be directed to Estelle Davis at Brightwater Executive Skills: risk Compliance Contract Management legal leadership