Deputy GC Job at USS (London)

Job Description

In your role as Deputy GGC, you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset. This role will provide a great opportunity to act as a strategic partner and deputy to the Group General Counsel (GGC), supporting the leadership and performance of the GGC function and deputising as required. The role provides senior legal leadership, ensures high-quality advice to key stakeholders, and helps shape and deliver the strategic direction of the function.

Job Responsibility

Act as a formal deputy to the GGC, representing them across Boards, Committees, Executive forums and external engagements as required
Take delegated accountability for key decisions, issues and stakeholder relationships in the GGC's absence
Partner closely with the GGC in shaping and driving the strategic direction and priorities of the GGC function
Provide leadership and direction across the function as part of the GGC Management Team, ensuring alignment, pace and focus on the most critical objectives
Work with the GGC Management Team to ensure that the legal function is appropriately resourced and structured to meet current and future business needs
Drive the development of a high performing team, including succession planning, capability building and talent development
Coach and develop a 'learning' culture within the GGC function with a clear focus on continuous improvement
Foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that supports innovation, accountability and professional development
Role model USS-wide collective leadership, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team to champion USS's culture, values and ways of working
Provide strategic legal leadership on complex and high-impact issues facing the USS Group, ensuring clear, pragmatic and commercially aligned advice to Boards and senior stakeholders
Act as a trusted adviser to the GET, the USSIM Executive and the USSL and USSIM Boards, and their respective Chairs and sub-committees
Oversee the provision of legal advice to Boards and Committees, ensuring consistency, quality and clarity of output across the function
Provide direction to ensure the function is well positioned to anticipate and respond to regulatory and external developments
Provide strategic oversight, in partnership with the GGC Management Team, to ensure that policies and procedures supporting legal and governance activities remain effective, proportionate and aligned to organisational needs
Drive expectations and standards for legal advice and reporting, ensuring it is consistently high, clear, and aligned with the organisation's standards
Partner with the GGC to shape and deliver the GGC strategy and priorities of the GGC function, ensuring alignment to wider organisational objectives
Lead or sponsor strategically significant initiatives, particularly those with material legal, regulatory or governance implications
Ensure the function is forward-looking and responsive to regulatory developments and changing business priorities
Drive innovation, simplification and continuous improvement in how GGC support is delivered
Ensure that the GGC function is well represented and understood across the organisation and provides appropriate training/other information to support the wider operation of the business
Build excellent relationships with peers in other funds across the UK and internationally and leveraging those relationships effectively to ensure that USS is aware of legal and regulatory risk trends and that the GGC function continues to evolve in line with best practice
Maintain involvement with external professional bodies and provide insight on external trends and developments that may impact upon the future direction and strategy of USS Group

Requirements

Proven experience of leading and developing a high performing legal team, taking the lead on both complex technical issues and general management
Experience of providing strategic advice at board and non-executive committee level, and insight into the key success factors for effective non-executive governance, management of conflicts of interest and executive/non-executive relationships
The gravitas and credibility to be a trusted adviser to senior executives and non-executive directors combined with excellent judgement
Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills and an ability to simplify complex legal issues so that non-lawyers can easily engage with them
Track record of successfully building effective relationships across an organisation and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders
Proven ability to build and leverage a network of relationships that are important to the organisation and its stakeholders
Significant previous experience as a Head of Legal (or equivalent) in a complex business, within the financial services sector or a law-firm partner with comparable expertise
Direct and extensive experience of FCA regulation, investments and significant commercial contracts (including outsourcing agreements)
Proven track record of effectively collaborating with teams across an organisation
Significant experience of managing relationships with key suppliers (including panel law firms)
Substantial budgetary management experience and proven ability to manage the provision of excellent value legal and governance advice and support

Nice to have

Proven track record in running projects, affecting positive change across a range of business areas and working with a panel of external advisors
Experience of engaging with regulators, particularly financial services and/or pensions supervision
Experience working with a complex board and providing advice in a complex stakeholder environment
Exposure to issues related to OPS or pension funds

What we offer

Great starting salary
Generous annual leave package
Access to a high quality pension scheme provided through Universities Superannuation Scheme
Supportive people policies (including enhanced occupational sickness pay and family friendly pay)
Financial contributions towards your personal development to help you maintain your physical and mental wellbeing
Access to a range of health and wellbeing services i.e., private healthcare, discounted gym membership
Learning and development opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and talent
Employee Volunteer Day's to support the communities where you work and live
Cycle to Work Scheme

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Deputy GC

Job Description

Job Responsibility

Requirements

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