Senior Counsel (Flexi, Hybrid + Benefits)

The Pensions Ombudsmanis growing fast and isa great placeto work. We have an exciting opportunity for aSenior Counselto join our team based in Canary Wharf currently 20% office attendancein accordance with our Agile working Policy after 6 weeks induction period which requires 3 days (pro rata) office attendance..You will be working full or part-time on apermanent contractand will receive a competitive salary of£86,749per annum pro rata. We offer several pension options as part of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, including defined benefits. In addition, we are an accredited Disability Confident Employer, and we welcome applicants from under-represented groups.

As well as a starting salary of£86,749per annum pro rata, we offer:

• 27.5 days annual leave increasing to 32.5 depending on length of service plus theoptionto buy and sell annual leave
• Discretionary staff reward scheme
• Comprehensive support for growth with learning and developmentprogrammeto boost your career
• 24/7 Free confidential employeeassistanceprogramme
• Discounted health benefits and employee discount scheme across hundreds of retailers
• Access to Staff Networks and social activities
• Sabbatical after qualifying period
• A culture of reward with annual performance bonus
• Eye test and flu jab reimbursements
• Access to a Cycle to work scheme

We are an accredited Disability Confident Employer and welcome applications from under-represented groups. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and has a sense of belonging.

Asa totally independentbody, not part of the pensions industry or government, we investigate and make decisions when someone has been unable to resolve a complaint about how their pension has been managed. Our service is free, but we have legal powers to make decisions that are final, binding, and enforceable in court.

Our work can be challenging and high-profile, delivering a fair outcome for the individual and highlighting where thepensionsindustry can improve. Focusing on the facts, we must be balanced, fair, andtotally independent.

The Legal Team works with the Casework functionat every level; with lawyers and caseworkers collaborating to setobjectives, agree workflows and provide aligned Legal support enablingconsistent delivery of the Casework function. You will be part of the in-house Legal Team to supportCaseworkTeams,theSenior Legal Leadership Team,the Pensions Ombudsman, the Executive and the Corporate Board to exercise their functions according torelevant legislation,policiesand practices.

AsSenior Counsel, your rolewill be to support TPO to exercise its functions according to relevant laws,policiesand practices. You will achieve this by leading on and progressing policy matters, ensuring business critical cases are concluded appropriately, supervising the handling of litigation work, and developing stakeholder relationships. You will report to the Deputy Chief Operating Officer (Legal)

• Plan andprioritiselegaldelivery across Casework teams,and ensure shared Legal and Casework Teams'objectivesand performance metrics are delivered
• Oversee the Legal Team's work with Casework teamsto ensureappropriate, consistent, quality legal support, through management of the Lead Lawyers who lead those relationships.Enhance thecapability and capacityof the Casework functiontomeet TPO's increasing demand
• Provideadvice and support for business-critical cases,e.g.sensitive or high-profile cases,cases requiring oral hearings, or legally complex cases. Apply judgment and legal analysis where the law is unclear.Apply sound judgment to know when to 'sign-off' on matters arising and when to refer to the Legal DCOO
• Provide support and advice on legal, jurisdictional,proceduraland regulatory issues which may arise on matters under investigation, such as the sufficiency of evidence, merits of opposing arguments, informationrequestsand strategy

• Review business critical draft correspondence, includingcorrespondence to Members of Parliament and regulatory bodies
• Review press queries andhelp to prepare responses
• Support the LegalDCOOonstrategic planning,considering TPO's wider corporate aims andobjectives
• Identifymatters of relevance or concern from horizon scanning which might affect the Ombudsman's casework,powersorjurisdiction
• Represent TPO at external stakeholder and networking events

• Oversee and supervise litigation relating to TPO's determinations and investigation processes, ensuring the Ombudsman is kept up to date with proceedings and is advised appropriately on litigation risk and participation decisions
• Attend hearings whererequiredand, if applicable, as advocate on behalf of TPO
• Lead on the Appeals chapter for the Annual Report

• Take oversight,responsibilityand accountabilityforlegal deliveryand performance.Enhance performance and productivity within the Legal Team
• Line management of Lead Lawyers, including 121s, performance management and appraisals
• Provide excellent leadership skills, ensuring the team are motivated and engaged
• Develop LeadLawyers andotherson theircareer path, setting clearobjectivesand providing opportunities for growth and developmentin both 'soft' and technical skills

Please refer to theJob Descriptionfor further information

We will shortlist and interview on a rolling basis, without waiting for a set closing date. Therefore, this vacancy may be withdrawn at short notice.

Closing date:14th July 2026 at 11:59pm

Interview dates:From 20th July 2026 on a rolling basis

In line with our policy, candidatesdeemedappointable through a fair and open competition will be kept on a reserve list for up to 6 months. If vacancies with sufficiently similar essential criteria arise, we may make offers to thoseon this reserve list. These vacancies may be in other teams in theorganisation

If you have the skills and experiencerequiredto become ourSenior Counsel, please click 'apply' today