Entity:
Customers & Products
Job Family Group:
Job Description:
BP Pension Trustees Limited (‘the Trustee’ or ‘BPPTL’) is the corporate trustee that manages the BP Pension Fund (‘the Fund’), bp’s UK defined benefit pension fund. The Fund, with assets of c.£20bn and c.57,000 members, is one of the UK’s largest private sector pension funds.
BP Investment Management Limited (‘BPIM’) is an FCA regulated entity which manages the Fund’s property and private equity portfolios.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer of BPPTL, the Senior Counsel will be responsible for providing legal, regulatory and compliance support to the Trustee Board, the Trustee Executive and BPIM.
The role holder will:
provide a combination of strategic, practical legal, regulatory and compliance advice, while ensuring the risks and implications are clearly understood
lead a small team of experienced lawyers, and the compliance function
manage the Fund’s external legal counsel relationships and oversee work being provided by them
Provide effective sound and practical legal and regulatory advice to the Trustee and BPIM Boards and the Trustee Executive and BPIM teams, where relevant managing the delivery of advice from external advisers
Coordinate the delivery of general commercial and corporate queries as they arise, e.g. conflicts, legal delegations, directors’ duties, non-disclosure agreements, KYC/AML queries from third parties
provide legal advice and support to Trustee Executive in negotiating key investment agreements
work with the BPIM private equity team to provide legal support as required
sign off on property litigation cases involving external counterparties and provide strategic legal advice on property-related matters
provide legal advice on corporate governance matters and other issues for example including ESG and climate
oversee work to implement and continue daily review of Senior Manager Certification Regime requirements, including regular training and supporting Compliance function with ongoing regulatory support
Support the legal team on pension litigation / TPO matters, providing strategic advice on next steps and resolution
Supervise work of the legal team on contracting with third-party advisers and suppliers, including consistency with wider bp position on negotiating terms (where relevant)
Build external pensions legal networks to reflect the best ways of working in the way the Fund operates. Also build a strong network with bp Group Legal to make use us relevant knowledge and working practices
Qualified to degree level with appropriate legal qualification and a valid and up to date UK practising certificate or equivalent
Minimum 15 years PQE either in-house (corporate and/or DB pension scheme) and/or in a Magic Circle/Silver Circle firm
Senior trusted legal adviser, able to work with key colleagues to identify, assess, prioritise and manage legal issues and to advise clients from a commercial perspective, including developing proposals defining and mitigating risk, ensuring legal compliance and provision of robust strategic and commercial practical advice
Comfortable working autonomously. Able to appropriately assess the need for external counsel and to choose the appropriate law firm, applying strong budget management
Excellent verbal, written communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate in practical succinct terms
Strong negotiation skills
Experience of working with regulators as the need arises
Track record of taking a proactive, energetic and collaborative approach to provision of legal support
Strong leader and great teammate, showing both diplomacy and flexibility
Demonstrates bp’s values, particularly the courage to speak up.
At bp, we provide an excellent working environment and employee benefits! We offer an open and inclusive culture and a great work-life balance. Tremendous learning and development opportunities are available to craft a career path, life and health insurance, medical care package and many others!
We support our people to learn and grow in a diverse and exciting environment. We believe that our team is strengthened by diversity. We are committed to crafting an inclusive environment in which everyone is respected and treated fairly. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform crucial job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
Travel Requirement
Relocation Assistance:
Remote Type:
Skills:
Legal Disclaimer:
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity/neurocognitive functioning, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to bp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you would like to request an adjustment/accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us.
If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.