IT STARTS HERE
Santander (www.santander.com) is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organisation, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible.
This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.
Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.
THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE
Santander UK is looking for a Legal Counsel based out of London or Milton Keynes.
The Legal Counsel role is in the Operations & Infrastructure Legal team, which sits within the wider Digital, Technology & Operations Legal team, which overall advises on Digital, Technology, Operations, Infrastructure, Payments, Data Privacy and Intellectual Property.
In this high-profile role, you’ll be providing legal advice relating to a wide range of agreements that support Santander UK’s operations and infrastructure, including drafting, negotiating and advising on contracts for outsourced and material services (many of which will involve service providers subcontracting to cloud providers), consultancy services (including IT), marketing and sponsorship, intra-group arrangements, insurance distribution (from a commercial contracts perspective), cash management services, employee platforms and rewards, and strategic projects. You will also advise on the regulatory regimes that apply to the provision of services to Santander as a ring-fenced bank in the UK.
If you’ve performed a similar role previously, this could be a great opportunity to develop your career.
We’re shaping the way we work through innovation, cutting-edge technology, collaboration and the freedom to explore new ideas. To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:
working closely with stakeholders across the Bank to deliver expert, accurate, concise, commercial and cost-effective legal advice that is readily understandable to non-lawyers, and which facilitates business decisions;
demonstrating creativity and innovation in reaching practical solutions on complex subject matters and be comfortable challenging when appropriate to ensure compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements;
sharing technical skills, experience and best practice with colleagues and the wider business and support other departments through training and the development and updating of legal templates and checklists;
keeping abreast of external developments in the law and financial services industry to enable Santander UK to react appropriately and in line with best practice, continuously seeking to improve processes, practices and policies; and
answering legal queries from internal customers as well as managing external suppliers/ stakeholders to successfully deliver advice, projects and other outcomes on a timely basis
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organisation. We’re enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring.
The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
These are the essential requirements you need to be successful in this role:
experience providing legal advice that is readily understandable to non-lawyers (Required);
excellent knowledge and experience of outsourcing, working on complex commercial contracts, and commercial contract law (Required);
excellent knowledge of the regulatory regime impacting outsourcing and material arrangements in financial services, for example the Prudential Regulation Authority’s (PRA) Supervisory Statement on Outsourcing and Third Party Risk Management (SS2/21) (Required); and
good understanding and working knowledge of data protection issues applicable to contracts that involve sharing / processing of personal data is required, but you are not required to be a subject matter expert in data protection; and
ability to manage and influence stakeholders (Required).
It would also be nice for you to have:
experience dealing with a large volume of matters and competing demands (Preferred); and
excellent project management skills, with an ability to manage multiple, conflicting interests and deadline (Preferred).
QUALIFICATIONS
You will either be a qualified solicitor registered on the roll of solicitors for England and Wales, or be fully admitted to the Bar of England and Wales, or hold a Scottish or foreign jurisdiction equivalent.
WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT
At Santander, your contribution matters. We recognise the difference you make every day, and we make sure you feel valued, supported and rewarded in return.
Here, recognition goes beyond pay. It’s about the pride you feel in your work, the impact you have on customers and communities, and the opportunities you have to grow and thrive — personally and professionally.
30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, which increases to 31 days after 5yrs service, with the option to purchase up to 5 contractual days per year
£6,000 car allowance per year
Company funded individual private medical insurance
Protection for you and your family, with company-funded death-in-service benefit and income protection insurance, and the option to take advantage of discounted rates for additional life assurance and critical illness cover.
Share in Santander’s success by saving or investing in our share plans.
As a Santander UK employee, you are able to request staff versions of our products like our Edge Current Accounts and Credit Cards with no fees, as well as apply to many other deals and discounts in Santander products and services
Competitive rewards that reflect the real impact you make and the value you bring.
Wellbeing that goes beyond work — we work with a range of wellbeing partners across our 4 pillars of wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial) to give you access to a suite of apps, discounted gym and fitness access, weekly online classes, flexible healthcare and mental health support.
Support for every life stage — from menopause and pregnancy to parenthood and beyond, with enhanced family leave, childcare options and tailored wellbeing support.
Time to give back through volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference in the communities we serve.
Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what’s possible across our international network.
Ready to be recognised? It starts with you.
LOCAL COMPLIANCE
At Santander, we’re proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone — regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation.
We’re committed to creating a recruitment experience that’s accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates.
We want our people to thrive — at work and at home — while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow.
To make this possible, our roles are site-based with a hybrid working pattern, where colleagues are expected to attend the office at least 12 days per month (pro-rata for part-time roles).
When applying, please consider the travel distance, time and cost to your chosen office location(s).
Right to work in the UK
All candidates must have the right to work in the UK to commence employment with Santander.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply.
If there’s anything we can do in the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, get in touch. Whether it’s a copy of our application form in another format or additional assistance, we’re available through email. You can contact us at resourcing@santander.co.uk.
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