Paralegal

ParalegalAbout finova

finova is the UK’s largest cloud-based mortgages and savings software provider, supporting over 60 leading lenders, 3000 mortgage brokers and 200 financial institutions. Our suite of award-winning software includes a Core Banking Platform, Broker Platform and finova Connect, a range of solutions that connect lenders, intermediaries, and consumers. Fast implementation and open architecture are at the centre of our technology, giving our customers the flexibility to integrate into their existing system or configure solutions to meet the needs of their business.

About the role

Reporting to the Head of Legal, you will play a pivotal role in our contracting process. No two days are the same at finova, so if you like variety in your role and would like an opportunity to build your experience and knowledge across the legal function, then this role will be a good fit for you!

About You

You will be a legal expert for finova and you will feel comfortable collaborating with other members of the team and wider Group. You will be happy to work directly with clients, suppliers and a range of internal stakeholders and your communication skills will support this.

In terms of your experience, your attitude is everything, but we'd particularly love to see your:

• Commercial contract drafting experience with a focus on software and services related agreements with clients, suppliers, and prospects.

• Experience collaborating with, and providing legal support to sales, finance, marketing, human resources, and operation functions.

• Understanding of negotiation and good contract drafting skills.

• Highly organised, efficient and adaptable; able to proactively plan workload, manage prioritises and respond immediately to changing or ad hoc requirements.

• Ability to work well in a team and good interpersonal skills.

• Ability to communicate legal matters to non-legal audience (e.g., sales, finance, marketing, human resources, and operations functions) and covey relevant information in a clear, concise and timely manner.

• Experience conducting legal research.

Required Skills & Experience

• Law degree from a common law jurisdiction (or equivalent professional training) or Legal Practice Course (or equivalent professional training).

• Strong knowledge of contract and commercial law.

• Solid experience in technology law, especially software licensing.

• Knowledge of financial services regulation will be highly advantageous.

• Experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department as a paralegal (or equivalent) within a start-up or growth stage company is preferred.

• Experience working with sales teams would be helpful.

• Detail-oriented and strong written/oral communication skills.

• Confident, inventive, flexible, proactive, and pragmatic.

• Highly efficient organisation skills will be key along with the ability to work independently to identify and manage priorities in a busy workload.

• A team player and resilient.

• Ability to produce high quality written work.

What will you be doing:

Your day to day will involve working with a spectrum of stakeholders across the business on a variety of tasks which will include:

• Supporting the business with contracts from inception through to execution.

• Conducting legal research and keeping on top of any new industry relevant legislation.

• Reviewing, drafting, and preparing commercial contracts such as NDA’s, Licence and Support Agreements, Service Agreements, Supplier/Sub-contracting Agreements and Statements of Work.

• Advising on a range of commercial areas.

• Preparing final version contracts for execution.

• Supporting the maintenance of the legal mailbox and ensuring that emails are responded to in a timely manner.

• Maintaining and updating standard contract templates and other legal documents.

• Contributing to process improvement and driving efficiency within the Legal Department.

• Evaluating, communicating, and proposing solutions for any potential risks associated with contracts, regulations and legal compliance.

• Any other relevant legal support.

What will you get from joining the finova family? Flexible Working:

• 25 days holiday in each calendar year plus bank holidays

• Bank Holiday trading: flexibility to work bank holidays and take another day off that fits your values, beliefs or celebration calendar better

• Increasing your work life balance, holiday trading allows employees to buy an extra 5 days holidays

• Work from anywhere in the world for up to 4 weeks a year

• We recognise the importance of juggling family and work life therefore finova offer a flexible hybrid working policy

• We’re open to applicants from all walks of life, please feel free to ask us if you require flexible working and we’ll do our best to accommodate

Looking After You:

• Life Assurance, Group Income Protection and Private Medical Insurance

• Pension scheme via Salary Exchange

• Employee Assistance Programme with counselling sessions available

• Virtual GP to save you time in trying to get an in-person appointment

Family Friendly policy:

• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

• Paid time off for fertility treatments and pregnancy loss

Extra Perks:

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Access to a huge range of benefits & discounts for shops, restaurants and gym memberships

• Free fresh fruit daily

• Share your passions and Interests with like-minded people through our colleague networks and social groups - from book clubs to fitness challenges and group parties

Giving you the chance to give back:

• Give-As-You-Earn scheme allowing you to support your favourite charities straight from your monthly salary

• One days paid volunteering day a year

Equal Opportunity Statement

Diverse teams really are the best teams, we promote a working environment in which diversity is recognised, valued and encouraged. We acknowledge the multi-cultural and diverse nature of the UK workforce and society in general. We are committed to principles of fairness and mutual respect where everyone accepts the concept of individual responsibility. Our policy seeks to ensure job applicants and employees are treated fairly and without favour or prejudice. We are committed to applying this throughout the entire employee lifecycle.

We know that some candidates (and, from the research we've seen, especially women) may feel less inclined to apply for a role if they don't quite meet every requirement of the role. If you like the look of a role but you're not 100% sure if your skillset will meet our requirements, please reach out and we will be happy to talk through your experiences.

Personal Data

finova retains applicants’ personal data on our HR System for the purpose of reviewing and evaluating applications and contacting candidates to discuss job opportunities. For unsuccessful candidates, finova will retain your personal data and CV for the duration of 6 months.