Legal Counsel

Join to apply for the Legal Counsel role at SmartSearch. Who Are We SmartSearch’s distinctive Anti‑Money Laundering verification software protects our clients by offering the most advanced and comprehensive features available from an AML provider. SmartSearch has grown rapidly by fostering an incredibly collaborative and supportive culture. As we continue our ambitious growth plans, we will strive to remain a truly exciting, rewarding, and unique place to work. How You Will Make a Difference As Legal Counsel at SmartSearch you’ll play a key role in shaping the future of the business. Your expertise will guide it through complex legal, data privacy and risk landscapes as it expands. Your work will directly impact SmartSearch’s ability to provide award‑winning AML & KYC compliance to regulated businesses and win customers through trusted identities. Varied Day‑to‑Day Responsibilities Assisting the General Counsel on a variety of strategic matters and issues Commercial Contracting & Negotiation: Negotiate and deal with a wide range of commercial contracting issues, including global framework agreements, client agreements, referral agreements, data‑sharing agreements, and software supply contracts, liaising with procurement manager as appropriate Manage the legal front door and legal inbox where queries can come from many teams within the business Data Privacy: Advise on legal and data privacy risks on new and ongoing business projects, product launches and go‑to‑market offerings, preparing DPIAs, privacy notices, RoPAs Corporate Governance: Identify ways to mitigate risk and develop new policies/procedures in support of the control and governance agenda Advises and influences decision‑making, contributes to policy development and takes responsibility for operational effectiveness, collaborating closely with other teams Legal Operations & Technology Enablement: Identify areas for business improvement and work to improve processes, looking for efficiencies in systems to improve our reach and manage the company’s overall risk and increase employees’ ability to self‑serve, including developing and maintaining scalable contract templates Stakeholder Education & Training: Inform and educate colleagues across the business about legal and commercial risk issues, including by providing employee training; foster a culture of compliance and ethical business practices AI & Emerging Tech Compliance: Monitor and advise on legal risks associated with AI, machine learning, and other emerging technologies integrated into the SaaS offering What We Are Looking For in a Candidate Qualified solicitor, barrister or legal executive with experience advising on a range of commercial and technology‑related matters, including drafting and negotiating commercial contracts Data privacy experience essential In‑house experience not essential Commercially focussed A self‑starting attitude and the ability to effectively manage conflicting demands from stakeholders Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including drafting of contractual terms and the ability to interpret and explain contractual provisions for the benefit of colleagues or deliver training Strong IT skills in Word, PowerPoint and use of AI Organised, methodical and strong attention to detail Strong analytical skills and solution‑oriented mindset Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders Efficiency mindset – to identify efficiencies or better ways of working and seek to implement them Hands‑on, curious approach to stay ahead of the ever‑changing legal and regulatory landscape both for SmartSearch and its client base What Life Is Like at SmartSearch We are a multi‑award‑winning tech company with an aspirational mentality Recent recognitions include: named in the Renowned RegTech100 list for 2024, listed in the Top 100 Fastest Growing Tech Companies by Northern Tech Awards 2024, and named Technology Provider of the Year by Corporate Finance Awards 2024 Great Place to Work Certified since 2022 Excellent progression opportunities due to our growth, with personal development goals, regular feedback and support Diverse and inclusive group, proactively encouraging D&I and supporting social responsibility through our DE&I Group, charities, support for local schools, wellbeing champions and partnerships with external suppliers Company Benefits 25 days holiday rising to 30 with each year of service Private Medical Insurance covering dental and optical Company pension scheme Life Assurance – 4x your annual salary 1 day paid volunteering per year Enhanced maternity / paternity offerings Employee Assistance Programme Cycle to work scheme On‑site gym Job Details Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level Employment type: Full‑time Job function: Legal Industry: Software Development #J-18808-Ljbffr