Senior Legal Counsel

Responsible for providing full range of legal advice and services

BE THE DIFFERENCE

At AIA we don’t simply believe in being ‘the best’. We believe in better – because there’s no limit to how far ‘better’ can take us. Everything we do is driven by our purpose to make a difference by helping people embrace Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. And every one of our people has an important role to play. If you want to make a difference by helping shape a healthier, better-protected Australia, read on.

The opportunity:

The Senior Legal Counsel must manage competing timeframes to deliver accurate and timely commercial legal services to the Company to a superior standard.In line with the Company’s channel structure, the Senior Legal Counsel will primarily focus on either the Group or Retail & Direct channels. The role will also include providing legal advice and support to a range of support services functions (such as Risk, Compliance, Investments, Actuarial, Finance, Marketing, Human Resources and IT) and major projects & initiatives, as allocated by the General Counsel and/or Head of Legal.They will also provide guidance and mentoring to Legal Counsel in the team.

Please note this role is initially a fixed term contract approved to December 2024 with view to extend based on the project forecast.

To do this successfully you will:

• Provide legal advice and services on issues concerning the rights, obligations and privileges of AIA
• Represent AIA to customers, suppliers, competitors and government agencies
• Provide resolution of business or technical issues by identifying legal solutions and recommending a course of action
• Examine legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting lawsuits
• Assists with implementing legislative changes that affect the business, responds to regulatory enquiries and provides support during all stages of product development and associated campaigns.

Successful applications will demonstrate:

• A very good level of commercial awareness to understand the perspective and requirements of the business within legal and regulatory constraints.
• High level analytical skills.
• Understanding of the legal and regulatory environment impacting on financial services and life insurance business activities.
• Knowledge of the insurance market and the operation of insurance companies.
• Excellent judgment and decision making ability.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  - Confident communicator.
  - Ability to take instructions from all segments of the business and respond clearly and effectively.
  - Ability to explain difficult legal

Required Education, Skills & Certifications:

Education:

• A law degree from a top tier university (Australian or other common law jurisdiction).
• A second degree in a commercial, actuarial or financial discipline would be an advantage.

Experience:

• Post-qualification experience in a commercial legal environment, such as a top tier / high quality mid-tier law firm or quality in-house legal department
• Experience in / familiarity with the financial services sector would be an advantage.

Certifications/licenses:

• Admission to practice as a solicitor in an Australian jurisdiction.
• Admission to a common law jurisdiction outside Australia will also be accepted if the candidate has other experience / qualifications that demonstrate an understanding of, or ability to adapt to, Australian legal practice.

Why choose AIA:

At AIA, we’ve made a promise to help people live healthier, longer, better lives. And it starts with our own people.

• Access our training and development to build on your current skills
• Career development through internal mobility opportunities
• Work for a business helping millions of Australians and make a difference to someone’s life everyday
• Access additional leave days a year to recharge and refresh yourself
• Enjoy wonderful Health and Wellbeing initiatives that support you
• Work with supportive and inclusive managers
• Flexible working arrangement

At AIA Australia, we’re proud to help guide, support and protect the wellbeing of over 3.5 million Australians. As part of the AIA Group - the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group – it is our ambition to engage one billion people to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives by 2030.  Lots of companies like to say they’re different. What makes us truly different at AIA, is the difference we make in people’s lives. We are proud that this difference has been recognised in the 2023 ANZIIF awards by being named Life Insurance Company of the Year.

AIA is different. Are you?

If you want to be part of an organisation that helps people live better every single day, apply via the link.