The Pensions Ombudsman
Senior Counsel (Flexi, Hybrid + Benefits)
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Senior Counsel (Flexi, Hybrid + Benefits)
Pensions Ombudsman: openings for Senior Counsel – Canary Wharf
📍 Agile Working: 20% office attendance | Culture: Full/part-time permanent contract, flexible working
About the Role
The Pensions Ombudsman, an independent body outside government/pensions industry, investigates pension complaints. Their legal service is key to resolving disputes for a secure retirement system, ensuring factual, impartial outcomes.
The Legal Team supports operations and ensures regulatory compliance. We are hiring a Senior Counsel to manage legal work, lead policy and litigation, foster legal-capacity growth across the Ombudsman’s casework teams, and partner with Senior Leadership.
Key Responsibilities
📜 Casework
- Prioritise and oversee legal delivery to meet business objectives and performance metrics.
- Work closely with Lead Lawyers to drive high-quality consistency across Casework (e.g., sensitive cases, hearings).
- Decide fast-track solutions vs escalating matters to senior leads.
- Advise stakeholders on jurisdiction, processes (e.g., evidence assessment), and strategy for high-profile/advisory matters.
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📢 Policy
- Review all critical correspondence (MPs, regulators) and press responses for legality.
- Offer legal perspective to strategic planning and assess emerging risks.
- Represent TPO externally (events, networks).
🔴 Litigation
- Direct litigation workflows, risk assessments, and court appearances.
- Advocate for TPO when required.
- Oversee the Ombudsman’s Annual Reports Appeals section.
🏛️ Management
- Lead legal team performance and accountability.
- Line manage 6 Lead Lawyers (e.g., 121s, appraisals).
- Develop team leadership, engage talent, and shape career progression.
About Us
🧩 Independent. Free service, final, binding decisions backed by statutory powers. 🗺️ Impact. Resolves disputes and daylight updated industry standards. 💒 Diversity. Accredited Disability Confident Employer; value all backgrounds.
Benefits: A Culture That Grows With You
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- Competitive pay: £86,749/annum pro-rata (100%eus, part-time by agreement)
- Pensions: Civil Service Defined Benefit scheme + other options
- Leave: 27.5-32.5 days (buy/sell annual entitlement) + generously reimbursed sabbaticals
- Support: Learning/development programme, confidential coaching, plans for advancement
- Health & Well-being: Eye tests, flu jab reimbursement, subsidy cycle scheme, fitness discounts
- Rewards: Discretionary scheme, annual performance bonus
- Vibe: Staff Networks, socials
Technicalities
✈️ Hiring timeline: Rolling shortlisting (no fixed closing) – Last POSTED: July 14, 2026. Interviews from July 20.
👥 Appointable permit: Your details retained for 6 months beyond competition.
🌐 Apply via the [link] (address omitted) – update: recent vacancies with similar criteria may trigger reserve retention.
Diversity Note: Equal opportunities principle applies; successfully shortlisted candidates kept for relevant future vacancies.
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