Senior Legal Counsel - Underwriting and Claims

Senior Legal Counsel  - Underwriting and Claims

• Location: London

• Type: Permanent, full time 

• Hybrid role, happy to talk flexible working 

The Opportunity  

We have a great opportunity for a Senior Legal Counsel to join a highly regarded in house Legal team as a trusted legal advisor across our UK insurance and reinsurance operations, supporting them in the execution of their strategy by providing pragmatic solutions on a wide range of legal and regulatory matters. 

Having the right to work in the UK is a requirement for this role.  QBE may consider sponsorship at its discretion. 

About QBE     

At QBE, we get to the heart of what matters for our customers. And we do it all with a human touch.     

We’re an international insurer with more than 13,000 people working across 26 countries – which means we’re big enough for your ambitions, yet small enough for you to make a real impact. It’s an exciting time. We’re building momentum towards our vision to become the most consistent and innovative risk partner.    

What if you could have a positive impact – at work and in the world? As part of the QBE team, you’ll get to spend every day working with people who are passionate, talented and kind.  

Your new role 

• Provide clear, practical legal advice on a broad range of insurance and reinsurance related underwriting and distribution matters, regulatory developments, and business projects. 

• Support the Head of Legal, Underwriting & Claims in delivering legal strategy and frameworks for managing legal risk. 

• Structure, draft, review, and negotiate contracts with a focus on legal robustness and commercial viability. 

• Manage contentious matters, adhoc advice on claims related issues, contract interpretation, and legal and regulatory aspects of claims handling. 

• Deliver training on legal and regulatory topics. 

• Monitor and analyse legal developments and emerging risks, ensuring the business remains informed and compliant. 

• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the business and promote the Legal team as a valued and accessible resource. 

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of legal processes, controls, and risk awareness. 

• Represent the Legal team in cross-functional initiatives and support group-level projects. 

• Participate in the legal duty solicitor rota. 

• Foster strong internal relationships within the legal team.

About you 

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with a minimum of 7 years’ post-qualification experience.  

• A thorough understanding of English insurance law and the London insurance market and a good technical insurance knowledge across commercial insurance business 

• Experience advising on insurance distribution mechanisms and a swound understanding of UK general insurance regulation relevant to insurance distribution and product governance is essential 

• Experience of multi-jurisdictional work is preferable  

• Excellent drafting and client management skills 

• Ability to prioritise and work under pressure 

• Good presentation and negotiating skills 

• Experience of direct client contact 

• Confidence to act independently and make technical decisions within competence, with ability to judge when to seek advice 

• Forward thinking and proactive in approach to work 

Benefits   

We offer a range of benefits to help provide holistic support for your work life, whatever your circumstances. As a QBE employee you will have access to and benefit from: 

• 30 days holiday a year with the option to buy up to 2 additional days.   

• Flexible working - balancing work and life is important so our flexible working opportunities are open to all, this can include part-time, job share and compressed hours.   

• Pension – you are automatically enrolled into the QBE pension plan, which entitles you to receive employer contributions of 10% of your basic salary.   

To learn more about benefits of working with us, click  Rewarding our people - QBE European Operations  

Awards & Recognition 

We value our employee’s experience with us and are proud to have been recognised for the following awards: 

Insurance Post British Insurance Awards 2025:   

• Winner: Commercial Lines Insurer of the Year, Winner: Reinsurer of the Year - QBE Re, Winner: ESG, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year, Winner: Insurance Personality of the Year - Chris Wallace, Executive Director UK insurance 

• AXCO Global Insurance Awards 2024 Winner: Network Management of the Year  

• Insurance Business UK 5-Star Cyber Awards 2024: QBE rated as a 5-Star Cyber Insurer  

To learn more about our achievements, click here   

Apply now and let’s make it happen!   

If you’re looking for a career that combines your expertise and your empathy, click Apply today.  

Your career. At the heart of it.