Job Description
Legal & Wordings Counsel Sydney, Australia We are seeking an experienced Legal & Wordings Counsel, specialising in insurance law, to join our Australia Legal team based in Sydney
The ideal candidate will have an influental background in insurance law and/or insurance policy drafting and an outstanding familiarity with the Australian wholesale insurance market
What you’ll be DOING What will your essential responsibilities include
Providing expert legal advice and support to our underwriting business partners on a wide range of insurance-related legal issues, with priority in drafting insurance policy wordings in all lines of business, reinsurance agreements, contract construction, and risk assessment
This will include reviewing existing products and those of our partners and co-insurers, and providing clear but legally cogent analysis and explanations on individual clauses right through to entire product wordings
Supporting underwriters in new and existing product development, and in achieving underwriting discipline through compliance with internal underwriting directives and compliance requirements, as well as ad-hoc clause coverage analysis in collaboration with the APAC Europe Litigation team
Collaborating with cross-functional business partners, including senior management, HR, claims, compliance, finance and risk teams, to provide legal guidance and support on strategic initiatives and business operations
This is expected to include but is not limited to: third party service agreements, outsourcing agreements, business agreements with insurance intermediaries, NDAs and confidentiality terms, terms of assignment and/or novation of insurance policies and/or ancillary contracts
Proactively looking for opportunities to contribute constructive feedback to the business, including providing regular feedback on legal issues identified through product reviews, as well as legal training on both product wordings and other relevant legal issues
Overseeing changes in insurance legislation and regulations primarily in Australia, ensuring that our product wordings and business partners are fully informed of the changes that may impact our wordings and our key business functions are supported in any changes that are required to be made
Supporting strategic product wording related projects run by our Australia Legal team, and our Global / APAC Europe Wordings teams
You will be a member of the Australia Legal Team
You will report directly to our General Counsel, Australia and will have a dotted line to an APAC Europe Wordings manager
What you will BRING We’re looking for someone who has these abilities and skills: Required Skills and Abilities: Qualified lawyer admitted to practice in Australia (or a comparable common law jurisdiction) and holding (or eligible to hold) a current Australian practicing certificate with post qualification experience, ideally within an insurer, a law firm (with a focus on insurance advisory work), or an insurance intermediary
Proven experience in insurance law, with a top-notch understanding of insurance contracts, insurance product development, claims handling, and insurance regulatory compliance, with a focus on wholesale insurance classes
Proven technical, analytical and problem-solving capabilities in insurance contract interpretation, product development and/or claims handling
Experience in the use of contract analytics technology tools a plus
A comprehensive understanding of what the business, legal and compliance needs are for individual insurance classes, with a focus on wholesale insurance products
Outstanding communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively and self-directed collaborate with internal and external stakeholders
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, with a proactive and solution-oriented approach to project management and stakeholder management
Intellectual curiosity, with an exceptional attention to detail and an ability to consider and approach challenges from all angles and with a diverse and open-minded approach
Who WE are AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, is known for solving complex risks
For mid-sized companies, multinationals and even some inspirational individuals we don’t just provide re/insurance, we reinvent it
How
By combining a comprehensive and efficient capital platform, data-driven insights, leading technology, and the best talent in an agile and inclusive workspace, empowered to deliver top client service across all our lines of business − property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty
With an innovative and flexible approach to risk solutions, we partner with those who move the world forward
Learn more at axaxl.com What we OFFER Inclusion AXA XL is committed to equal employment opportunity and will consider applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and origins, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic
At AXA XL, we know that an inclusive culture and enables business growth and is critical to our success
That’s why we have made a strategic commitment to attract, develop, advance and retain the most inclusive workforce possible, and create a culture where everyone can bring their full selves to work and reach their highest potential
It’s about helping one another — and our business — to move forward and succeed
Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability and inclusion with 20 Chapters around the globe
Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter Learn more at axaxl.com/about-us/inclusion-and-diversity
AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Total Rewards AXA XL’s Reward program is designed to take care of what matters most to you, covering the full picture of your health, wellbeing, lifestyle and financial security
It provides competitive compensation and personalized, inclusive benefits that evolve as you do
We’re committed to rewarding your contribution for the long term, so you can be your best self today and look forward to the future with confidence
Sustainability At AXA XL, Sustainability is integral to our business strategy
In an ever-changing world, AXA XL protects what matters most for our clients and communities
We know that sustainability is at the root of a more resilient future
Our 2023-26 Sustainability strategy, called “Roots of resilience”, focuses on protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, and embedding sustainable practices across our operations
Our Pillars: Valuing nature: How we impact nature affects how nature impacts us
Resilient ecosystems - the foundation of a sustainable planet and society – are essential to our future
We’re committed to protecting and restoring nature – from mangrove forests to the bees in our backyard – by increasing biodiversity awareness and inspiring clients and colleagues to put nature at the heart of their plans
Addressing climate change: The effects of a changing climate are far-reaching and significant
Unpredictable weather, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels cause both social inequalities and environmental disruption
We're building a net zero strategy, developing insurance products and services, and mobilizing to advance thought leadership and investment in societal-led solutions
Integrating ESG: All companies have a role to play in building a more resilient future
Incorporating ESG considerations into our internal processes and practices builds resilience from the roots of our business
We’re training our colleagues, engaging our external partners, and evolving our sustainability governance and reporting
AXA Hearts in Action: We have established volunteering and charitable giving programs to help colleagues support causes that matter most to them, known as AXA XL’s “Hearts in Action” programs
These include our Matching Gifts program, Volunteering Leave, and our annual volunteering day – the Global Day of Giving
For more information, please see axaxl.com/sustainability.