The Pensions Ombudsman is growing fast and is a great place to work. We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Counsel to join our team based in Canary Wharf currently 20% office attendance in 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 a permanent contract and will receive a competitive salary of £86,749 per 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 £86,749 per annum pro rata, we offer:
- 27.5 days annual leave increasing to 32.5 depending on length of service plus the option to buy and sell annual leave
- Discretionary staff reward scheme
- Comprehensive support for growth with learning and development programme to boost your career
- 24/7 Free confidential employee assistance programme
- 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
Diversity and Inclusion
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.
Who are we?
As a totally independent body, 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 the pensions industry can improve. Focusing on the facts, we must be balanced, fair, and totally independent.
Purpose of the role
The Legal Team works with the Casework function at every level; with lawyers and caseworkers collaborating to set objectives, agree workflows and provide aligned Legal support enabling consistent delivery of the Casework function. You will be part of the in-house Legal Team to support Casework Teams, the Senior Legal Leadership Team, the Pensions Ombudsman, the Executive and the Corporate Board to exercise their functions according to relevant legislation, policies and practices.
As Senior Counsel, your role will be to support TPO to exercise its functions according to relevant laws, policies and 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)
Key duties
Casework
- Plan and prioritise legal delivery across Casework teams, and ensure shared Legal and Casework Teams’ objectives and performance metrics are delivered
- Oversee the Legal Team’s work with Casework teams to ensure appropriate, consistent, quality legal support, through management of the Lead Lawyers who lead those relationships. Enhance the capability and capacity of the Casework function to meet TPO’s increasing demand
- Provide advice 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, procedural and regulatory issues which may arise on matters under investigation, such as the sufficiency of evidence, merits of opposing arguments, information requests and strategy
Policy
- Review business critical draft correspondence, including correspondence to Members of Parliament and regulatory bodies
- Review press queries and help to prepare responses
- Support the Legal DCOO on strategic planning, considering TPO's wider corporate aims and objectives
- Identify matters of relevance or concern from horizon scanning which might affect the Ombudsman’s casework, powers or jurisdiction
- Represent TPO at external stakeholder and networking events
Litigation
- 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 where required and, if applicable, as advocate on behalf of TPO
- Lead on the Appeals chapter for the Annual Report
Management
- Take oversight, responsibility and accountability for legal delivery and 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 Lead Lawyers and others on their career path, setting clear objectives and providing opportunities for growth and development in both ‘soft’ and technical skills
Please refer to the Job Description for 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: 24th July 2026 at 11:59pm
Interview dates: From 27th July 2026 on a rolling basis
In line with our policy, candidates deemed appointable 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 those on this reserve list. These vacancies may be in other teams in the organisation
If you have the skills and experience required to become our Senior Counsel, please click ‘apply’ today
