Senior Legal Counsel - Insurance Distribution Lawyer

Working Hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share, or full-time basis

Location: London or Swindon

Closing Date: 13th July 2025

The opportunity:

This is a busy, interesting and demanding role for an experienced insurance distribution lawyer supporting an innovative and fast-moving area of the business.  As a senior solicitor within a wider legal function, you will advise Zurich’s Life and General Insurance business working closely with senior investment stakeholders and Zurich management.

Many of our employees work flexibly in a variety of different ways, including part-time, flexible hours, job share, an element of working from home or compressed hours. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may need.

What will you be doing?

Key responsibilities:

• Deliver pragmatic, high-quality and informed legal advice, expertise and support to the Life and General Insurance areas of the business with particular reference to Life retail and GI retail (including travel) distribution arrangements;
• Proactively and collaboratively work with the other senior distribution lawyers to enable the provision of an effective and seamless legal service to the business;
• Effectively identify and manage legal risk across commercial and retail General Insurance;
• Identify and advise upon UK and EU regulatory and legal developments impacting the business including, where required, liaising with Zurich Group Legal;
• Provide legal assistance and advice on other matters (including General Insurance; sales and distribution arrangements; general commercial matters) as required by the Head of UK Transactions Legal Team. 

Specific Focus

• Actively and independently support to delivery specific distribution projects as the sole or lead legal adviser;
• Draft, review, negotiate and deliver agreements relating to Insurance distribution, e.g. delegated authority agreements (underwriting and claims) – including TOBAs, and reinsurance;
• Provide legal advice on insurance laws and regulations along the business value chain, from product development to distributing products in the market, supporting the business to achieve its strategic and commercial goals - including the distribution of insurance products and the development/maintenance of insurance products.
• Supervise and monitor external legal resource;
• Ad hoc support for General Insurance work;

Who are we looking for?

Your skills and experience:

• Substantial PQE with proven experience in a similar role;
• Extensive distribution ideally in the commercial/retail insurance environment or in private practice with a solid background in Life and/or General Insurance;
• Excellent knowledge of the UK regulatory and legal framework for financial services, distribution arrangements;
• Very high-quality technical and legal skills, including in drafting, negotiation and analysis;
• First class interpersonal and communication skills with a strong ability to work collaboratively and in a team;
• Excellent commercial and business acumen and ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with all stakeholders and inspire confidence as a trusted adviser. 
• A practical approach to problem solving. We are looking for a candidate that can approach challenges and complex situations positively and be a strong team player.

What will you get in return? 

Everyone’s different. That’s why at Zurich, we offer a wide range of employee benefits so our people can choose what fits them and their life. Our benefits provide real flexibility so our people can make considered choices and tailor their benefits throughout the year. Our benefits include 12% defined non-contributory pension scheme, annual company bonus, private medical insurance and the option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday. 

Follow the link for more information about our benefits - Employee benefits | Working at Zurich Insurance UK 

Who we are:

At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world and the best global insurer. Together we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people, and our planet. With over 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company who are a long-standing player in the insurance industry.

We’ve made a promise to each other and every employee; to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.

If you're interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives, and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.

Our Culture:

At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion, which we’ve won numerous awards for. We want our people to bring the whole of themselves to work and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs, or culture. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our customers, and so are committed to treating all of our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We’ve an environment that places a real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social, and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We’re also committed to continuous improvement, and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.

We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest-established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we’ve awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.

So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us. #LI-hybrid