Legal Counsel – York

Role: Legal Counsel
Location: York (Hybrid working, 2 days a week in the office)
Salary: Negotiable depending on experience
Working Pattern: Full-time or 4 days per week considered

We’re seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to provide high-quality in-house legal advice across a broad range of commercial and operational matters. Working closely with stakeholders across the Benenden Society and its subsidiaries, you’ll deliver clear, pragmatic and commercially focused legal solutions that enable informed decision-making while effectively identifying and managing legal risk.

This role offers the opportunity to work across a broad legal portfolio, partnering with senior stakeholders and contributing to decisions that directly impact both the business and our members. You’ll play a key role in supporting commercial initiatives, operational change and strategic projects, while developing your expertise within a supportive and values-driven environment.

Key responsibilities

• Partnering with stakeholders across the business to develop proportionate legal solutions aligned to organisational priorities, member outcomes and risk appetite.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Leading legal negotiations with suppliers, service providers and other counterparties, working collaboratively with senior stakeholders and subject matter experts.
• Advising on product, service and operational changes, identifying legal implications and helping teams achieve positive outcomes for current and future members.
• Identifying legal and commercial risks at an early stage and working with colleagues to manage and mitigate them effectively.
• Developing, reviewing and enhancing template contracts, business collateral, corporate policies and processes to ensure they remain practical, consistent and fit for purpose.
• Managing legal matters with an appropriate degree of autonomy, escalating complex, novel or high-risk issues where required.

Skills and Experience

You’ll be a qualified legal professional with strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance legal risk with practical business outcomes.

• Qualified Solicitor with 5+ years post-qualification experience.
• Experience gained within an in-house legal team and/or advising commercial clients in private practice.
• Proven experience delivering legal advice across a broad range of commercial contracts and business matters.
• Ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly and succinctly to both legal and non-legal audiences.
• Strong commercial judgement and experience of providing pragmatic, solutions-focused advice within a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the confidence to build relationships and positively influence senior colleagues.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and take ownership of matters through to completion.

Why Benenden Health?

With a 120-year history, Benenden Health is a unique place to work. Whatever the department, no two days are ever the same and the opportunities are as diverse as the members we serve.

Working for a business with a strong commitment to ‘doing the right thing’, you can expect a broad range of benefits, including.

• Health & Wellbeing: Free Benenden Health membership, Benenden Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Work-Life Balance: Hybrid working and 35 days’ holiday, including bank holidays.
• Financial Benefits: Pension with up to 10% employer contributions, employee discounts and cashback schemes.
• Career Development: Training, professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Lifestyle Perks: Cycle to Work scheme, free onsite gym, free parking and complimentary hot drinks at our York office.
• Giving Back: Opportunities to support local charities, employee events and Give as You Earn initiatives.

We believe that different perspectives make us stronger. At Benenden Health, we’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to be their authentic self. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and communities, and are committed to providing an accessible recruitment process. If there’s anything we can do to support you during your application or interview, please let us know.

Any offer of employment for this role will be made under Benenden Health terms and conditions.

What to expect next

We aim to make our recruitment process as straightforward and transparent as possible. For this role, you can expect:

1. Application Review – We’ll carefully review your application against the requirements of the role

2. First Interview (Teams) – A virtual interview with the hiring manager to learn more about you

3. Second Interview (In Person) – An opportunity to meet the team and visit our office

4. Offer – If successful, we’ll make a formal offer and guide you through the next steps