Head of Legal Serv

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Legal Services at West Yorkshire Pension Fund, which is one of the largest regional funds in the Local Government Pension Scheme (‘LGPS’).This is a newly established role, and you will be responsible for setting up a small in-house legal team.

West Yorkshire Pension Fund (WYPF) manages c£20 billion of assets, much of it managed via an in-house investment team of approximately 30 staff; and is part of the £60 billion Northern LGPS Asset Pool.

WYPF provides pension administration for WYPF, 3 other LGPS funds and over 20 regional fire authorities (in respect of the Firefighters Pension Scheme) via our administration shared service, covering over 500,000 members and almost 1,000 participating employers, which include local authorities, further and higher education institutions, academy schools and housing associations.

WYPF is overseen by City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (‘Bradford Council’), which has established governance arrangements to ensure WYPF operates effectively and delivers the LGPS pensions and other benefits at a sustainable and affordable cost to employers and local taxpayers.

As WYPF Head of Legal, you will be responsible for all legal work for both the administrative and investment areas of WYPF. You will be responsible for ensuring that the WYPF Legal Team provides a comprehensive, cost effective, responsive and quality legal service to the benefit of all stakeholders.

You will have a high degree of initiative to balance the commercial imperatives of the WYPF and align them with Bradford Council’s governance processes. You will oversee and review day-to-day legal work undertaken by other members of the team and advise on more complex legal work, managing the relationships with external specialists as required. You will make sure all legal work is prepared for execution in line with relevant regulations and legal standards.

You will ensure legal and constitutional regulatory compliance, governance, risk management, provide advice and guidance that secures efficient, effective and timely decision-making, and high standards of conduct within WYPF and the wider Council. The post holder will work closely with WYPF Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer, Assistant Directors, Bradford Council’s legal team, Northern LGPS Pooling partners and other strategic partners to achieve WYPF objectives.

Specifically, within investments, the post holder will need to build an understanding of relevant financial services regulation and the structuring of investment vehicles both in the UK and overseas.

Who are we looking for?

Our essential criteria is simple, you must demonstrate:

• Five years post-admission experience as a solicitor or barrister with preferably three years' experience in local government pensions or direct experience of the corporate governance of local authorities.
• Experience of legal work in either contract law, general pensions law, financial services, pension scheme or local government.
• Knowledge and/or interest in investment management (e.g. master custodial relationships, securities, funds, direct property, indirect private markets funds)
• Be able to draft and/or oversee drafting of shareholder agreements, letters of intent, private markets LP/GP partnership agreements
• Knowledge and awareness of key issues facing local government, including Best Value and new legislation which affects the duties and responsibilities, and the statutory framework of local government.
• Clear and effective communicator who uses plain language and engenders the confidence of officers, members and others.
• Clear thinker and capable organiser who applies best practice in all areas.
• Must be able to perform all duties and tasks with reasonable adjustment, where appropriate, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

What can we offer?

Salary: Circa £70,000

37 hours (part-time working requests considered)

You will also enjoy the kind of great benefits you would expect from a large employer. These include hybrid working, generous annual leave, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, Super Flexi, Vivup – employee benefits and shopping discount scheme, Metro Pool Cards, Travel Card Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme, Car Parking Discounted rates, Home and electronics staff offer scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, Electric Vehicles, Car Loan Scheme, Gym Discount among others.

To apply, please send a copy of your CV to comms@wypf.org.uk. Completed applications must be submitted by 8 November 2024.

If you would like an informal discussion please contact Euan Miller, WYPF Managing Director on 01274 433947.