Corporate Counsel

Job Description

This is an opportunity to join Ascot Group - one of the world’s preeminent specialty risk underwriting organizations.

Designed as a modern-era company operating through an ecosystem of interconnected global operating platforms, we’re bound by a common mission and purpose: One Ascot. Our greatest strength is a talented team who flourish in a collaborative, inclusive, and entrepreneurial culture, steeped in underwriting excellence, integrity, and a passion to find a better way, The Ascot Way.

The Ascot Way guides our people and our organization. Our underwriting platforms collaborate to find creative ways to deploy our capital in a true cross-product and cross-platform approach. These platforms work as one, deploying our capital creatively through our unique Fusion Model: Client Centric, Risk Centric, Technology Centric.

Built to be resilient, Ascot maximizes client financial security while delivering bespoke products and world-class service — both pre- and post-claims. Ascot exists to solve for our clients’ brightest tomorrow, through agility, collaboration, resilience, and discipline.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Senior Corporate Counsel, the Corporate Counsel will be a key member of the US Corporate Legal team with a focus on contract negotiation, commercial transactions and corporate governance. This is an opportunity to have a significant impact in a fast-growing company, and the right professional will play a notable role in further developing Ascot US’ business.

Responsibilities

• Regular interaction and work with all aspects of the Ascot US businesses, supporting underwriters, operations, IT, Finance, Corporate Development and HR, in addition to the legal department’s own Regulatory and Products teams .
• Review and negotiate various types of contracts, including distribution agreements (i.e. producer, TOBAs, program administrator agreements, profit commission schedules), office leases, employment agreements, NDAs, IT procurement and SOWs, and myriad third-party vendor agreements.
• Work with U.S. General Counsel, Senior Corporate Counsel and other senior executives on complex strategic and commercial transactions including managing outside counsel, overseeing legal due diligence, negotiating purchase/sale or key distribution contracts, drive contract closings, and supporting advice intended for the board of directors.
• Communicate and coordinate significant transactions with all relevant Ascot stakeholders.
• Work closely with other members of the Ascot’s Legal team to address complex and varied legal, regulatory and compliance matters related to corporate governance, finance initiatives, insurance and other matters supported by the US Corporate Legal team.
• Manage multiple outside counsel relationships, engagements, and budgets.
• Work closely with Controller and CFO team to support finance operations, including investments and certain auditor interactions, and manage or assist with any capital raising or debt issuance.
• Opportunities may exist to advise on litigation, arbitration, and other dispute resolution matters.
• Knowledge of labor and employment law and M&A is a plus.
• Assist the Senior Corporate Counsel with preparation of board materials and other Corporate Governance activity.
• Collaborate closely with Ascot regulatory and products lawyers on complex matters and regulatory interactions, as required.
• Perform other related duties and ad hoc projects as required.
  
  

Minimum Requirements

• Juris Doctor required.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in either a law firm or relevant in-house position.
• Strong understanding of commercial insurance issues preferred, including distribution, risk-sharing, and intercompany contracting. Experience in P&C or Specialty P&C a strong plus.
• Experience with reinsurance and handling of HR matters (incl. employment and separation contracts, covenant enforcement, and equity compensation) are a strong plus.
• Strong organization, project-management skills, strength in leading a team amid multiple competing priorities, and the ability to drive challenging matters to completion are crucial.
• Business savvy and results-focus are a necessity. This person will understand their client’s need is not just to understand legal issues but to obtain a particular business result, and persistently work to meet that need.
• Excellent communication (both written and verbal), organizational and time-management skills.
• Proven skills managing/participating in cross-departmental efforts, and the knowledge to collaboratively work until a matter is resolved, as opposed to waiting for others to advance an effort.
• A self-starter, who is comfortable working independently and “rolling up their sleeves” or in leading or playing a part on collaborative teams.
• Ability to quickly adapt and learn new areas that might fall outside his/her scope of experience. We recognize the potential of this role to become a senior attorney and even a future leader within our organization. The right candidate will receive guidance from seasoned attorneys who are invested in nurturing talent as a key part of our long-term strategy.
• The successful candidate will have an ability to act independently, to think matters through fully and drive them as close to completion as possible seeking guidance as appropriate.
• Strong desire to learn and gain exposure to other legal an
• This position may be filled at a different level, depending on experience***
  
  

Compensation

Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to experience, subject matter expertise, and skills. The base pay is just one component of Ascot’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual cash bonus, long-term incentives, and other forms of discretionary compensation awarded by the Company.

• The annualized base pay range for this role is: In New York is: $140,000 - $175,000.
  
  

Company Benefits

The Company provides a competitive benefits package that includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):

Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical (including prescription coverage), Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Commuter Account, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, AD&D, Work/Life Resources (including Employee Assistance Program), and more

Leave Benefits: Paid holidays, annual Paid Time Off (includes paid state /local paid leave where required), Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability, Other leaves (e.g., Bereavement, FMLA, Adoption, Maternity, Military, Primary & Non-Primary Caregiver)

Retirement Benefits: Contributory Savings Plan (401k)