Head of Legal: Policy, Product & Regulation: Handelsbanken

Handelsbanken is a full-service bank for both personal and corporate customers and has a nationwide branch network in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Great Britain and Netherlands. The bank was founded in 1871 and currently has close to 12,000 employees working in more than 20 countries.

Since the early 1970s, Handelsbanken's organisation has been strongly decentralised and operations are always based on customer's requirements. This means that all business decisions regarding individual customer relationships with the Bank are taken close to the customer.

We have more satisfied customers than peer banks and are one of the most cost-effective listed full-service banks in Europe. Every year during the past 40 years we have had higher returns on equity than the average of our peer banks.
This newly created role has been created following the formation of a new department within legal focusing on legal policy, product development and support and adherence to all applicable regulation.

The individual will have responsibility for managing the current team of 8 and ensuring the team remains fit for purpose as the bank continues to grow.

Whilst the team does not ordinarily provide direct support to the branches the output from the team has a direct impact on their activity and productivity so a good understanding and consideration of how policy decisions, instructions and guidance will impact on them and our customers is essential.

Specific responsibilities of the department include:
- Ensuring the legal documentation is drafted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, and as appropriate Scotland;
- Ensuring the legal documentation is drafted in accordance with UK regulations, such as BCOBS, COBS, MCOB, UTTCR;
- Ensuring all commercial contracts protect the banks risks;
- Providing support to Global/UK Product Owners to ensure new products are developed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales (and Scotland) and comply with UK regulations;
- Having oversight and providing advice on any claims made against the Bank;
- Having oversight and providing advice on any legal action brought against customers, e.g. defaulting customers;
- Ensuring that conflicts of interest are identified, documented and avoided, or are managed in accordance with external and internal regulations
- Ensuring internal procedures and instructions are described as appropriate

Specific responsibilities for the individual include:
- Liaison with key stakeholders across the UK organisation and 5 Regional Banks
- Ongoing management of a current team of 8
- Developing the strategic direction of the department
- Contributing to the wider management of the whole legal department
- Responsibility for the departments income / expenditure, in line with the internal market;
- A member of the UK Bank Product Committee;
- A participant in Steering groups for major projects.
- Development Potential
- Support and training will be provided as required albeit the successful applicant is expected to be experienced in this area. The successful applicant will be expected to develop the role to meet the needs of our growing Bank.

Qualifications
This role is for an individual who has the competence and confidence in this area of expertise to provide the business with sound commercial legal advice.
The successful applicant must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills in both written and spoken English. An integral part of the job will be to interact proactively and confidently with senior management and product owners.
- The successful applicant must:
- Be a qualified Lawyer;
- Have a Banking background;
- Understand UK Law and regulation.

If you're interested in this role, please apply now or forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us.

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BCL Legal is an equal opportunities employer.