We’re Together – the market leading property finance experts with an entrepreneurial spirit.

Based in Cheadle, South Manchester, we’ve been established since in 1974 and have built a team of over 750 colleagues who are passionate about supporting individuals and businesses achieve their property ambitions by making finance work for them.

We pride ourselves on our common sense approach to lending and offer a range of mortgage and secured loan products to individuals and businesses who are typically underserved by mainstream lenders. Our customers are central to everything we do and we work hard to support them to turn challenges into opportunities which make our customers' property ambitions a reality.

The Legal Counsel is part of the Together Group Legal team and is responsible for proactively managing a variety of legal matters and litigation caseload. Working closely with the Senior Legal Counsel and more junior members of the Legal team, the Legal Counsel will help determine and implement the strategic approach to managing litigious and other legal matters affecting the Group including a caseload of claims in house. In addition, the Legal Counsel will manage a wider array of legal matters which will vary from time to time according to the needs of the business, but which is likely to include a portfolio of supply contract and NDA negotiations, recoveries and enforcement related work and management of insurance claims. Over time, it is expected that the right candidate will expand the role to develop additional responsibilities in other areas affecting the Group and requiring legal input.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supervising and working closely with the Paralegal/ other more junior team members to proactively manage a varied litigation caseload
• Drafting witness statements, defences and other Court documents for claims
• Reviewing and responding to letters before action
• Instructing and managing external counsel and/or Solicitors
• Conducting case analysis and preparing succinct summaries of key information
• Presenting regular MI and trend analysis on claims impacting the Group
• Working closely with the General Counsel and Senior Legal Counsel on strategic approach
• Working closely with other teams across the Group, including Distribution, Operational, Customer Complaint, Risk and Compliance teams
• Assisting with horizon scanning activity as required from time to time
• Assisting with claims relating to all insurance policies from notification to conclusion; liaising with insurers, brokers, third parties and internal stakeholders
• Build and maintain strong relationships to manage brokers, insurers, external solicitors, claim managers, and business stakeholders
• Devise a strategy and policy for insurance and claims management including data management and reporting
• Drafting and negotiation of Non Disclosure Agreements
• Assisting with a number of non-complex supplier contracts (target of at least 5 at any one time), ad hoc business queries and any other assistance required to the wider Legal department
• Assisting the General Counsel and Senior Legal Counsels as required from time to time and over time, expanding role to develop additional responsibilities in different areas of law affecting the Group.

Essential skills and experience:

• Litigation experience (preferably with a volume element in the financial services sector)
• Strong drafting and case management skills
• MI collation and trend analysis
• Developing knowledge of regulatory framework within which Together operates
• Supervision experience and experience of supervising and acting as a point of referral for junior team members
• Highly efficient, organised and pragmatic
• Ability to analyse presented facts and succinctly summarise key points and factors
• Good communicator at all levels; upwards, downwards and with business stakeholders
• Positive team player
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work to deadlines
• Desire to expand skill set and experience into additional areas of law
• Experience of instructing and managing external counsel
• Ability to contribute to strategic discussions
• Ability to work in a busy and fast paced environment

Desirable skills and experience:

• Experience of consumer litigation
• Experience of supply contracts
• Experience of advising within the confines of a regulated business
• Knowledge and experience of other areas of law
• Previous in house experience

• We are anticipating that this role would be suitable for a solicitor with at least 3yrs PQE

Benefits working at Together

• 27 days holiday (increasing with service), plus bank holidays
• Buy & sell holidays
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Matched pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Critical illness cover
• Health cash plan
• Private medical insurance
• Free access to company holiday homes
• Travel season ticket loans
• Ride to work scheme
• Free local gym access
• Local bar / restaurant discounts

Together Money embraces diversity and inclusion, and are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Not only do we welcome difference – we celebrate it, support it and really value our colleagues for who they are. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills.