Role overview The Director, Legal Counsel will be supported by a newly qualified lawyer and responsible for supporting the business as follows: Legal, Compliance and Risk support to Corporate Finance, Debt Advisory, Financial Advisory and Forensic Services Provide legal support across FRP service pillars and support the CSG and management but not for example legal advice within Restructuring cases Oversight of FCA regulated mandates within Corporate Finance Support senior management in legal matters and be part of the Central Services Group Key Responsibilities Leadership and Strategy: Lead the in-house legal team , providing guidance and support as necessary. Act as a key advisor to senior management on compliance and legal matters. FCA Regulatory Compliance Oversight: In relation to the FCA regulated entity (FRP Corporate Advisory Limited), oversee the completion and submission of FCA returns via Regdata and applications via Connect. Manage the approval/removal of individuals as SMF3 (Executive Director) and certified staff on the FCA register. (Corporate Finance) Ensure the certification of staff, including annual renewals and issuance of certificates are conducted efficiently. (not Restructuring) Compliance and Regulatory Advice: Provide expert advice on the application of SM&CR rules to existing and new locations. (Corporate Finance) Oversee the review and classification of Corporate Finance assignments as regulated/unregulated and clients as retail/professional. Review engagement letters and new client forms to ensure they have been correctly completed and signed off. (Corporate Finance) Advise on ICAEW ethical/compliance issues and data protection matters, including Subject Access Requests and data breaches – across FRP. Board and Meeting Support: Participate in and take minutes for FRP Corporate Advisory Limited board meetings, providing compliance and legal insights. Participate in periodic senior team meetings for Corporate Finance pillar, providing any compliance and legal input. Draft and present the annual SYSC compliance report and maintain the Corporate Finance compliance manual. Training and Development: Develop and deliver training programs on client take-on processes and compliance requirements. Liaise with auditors on FCA returns and compliance issues, ensuring all queries are addressed promptly. (Corporate Finance) Legal and Documentation Support: Provide high-level advice on engagement letters, NDAs, and other legal documents. (Across FRP) Maintain and update centralised template documents, ensuring they meet current legal, regulatory and market standards across FRP. Review and advise on supplier contracts, recruitment agency terms, location license agreements, and tender documentation across FRP. Support the service pillars on complex engagement issues across FRP. Advise on proposed client-requested changes to standard engagement letter templates, NDAs (FRPs and 3rd parties) and FRP standard terms and conditions, including liability caps across FRP. Maintain FRP insider lists and various company policies. Handle annual related party transaction reports and ERS HMRC returns. Supervise the Credit Control function and participate in the Policy Review Group and Operational Risk Committee for FRP. Additional Responsibilities: Attend fortnightly Corporate Finance pipeline calls to discuss any compliance issues. Oversee the collation of monthly new client take-on and conflict searches and prepare comprehensive monthly reports. (Corporate Finance) Provide strategic support for other compliance-related matters. Deal with ad hoc legal issues as they arise, such as fee disputes, fee funding arrangements, and potential conflicts of interest. Support Forensic, Financial Advisory, and Valuation teams on engagement issues. Prepare and review tender and panel renewal documentation. Participate in the Policy Review Group and Operational Risk Committee. Qualifications Qualified lawyer with at least 7 years PQE preferably within professional services. Strong understanding of FCA regulations and compliance requirements. Proven leadership and team management skills. Excellent organisational and communication skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Proficiency in using compliance management software and tools. Preferred Skills Experience with regulatory reporting and applications. Familiarity with SM&CR rules and their application. Strong attention to detail and analytical skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.