Director, Senior Legal Counsel - Disputes

Location: London, GB

Swiss Re is seeking a highly experienced legal professional to join our global legal team, overseeing complex disputes, arbitrations, and investigations for our businesses worldwide. You will take ownership of high‑profile matters and play a hands‑on role in case strategy and resolution, collaborating closely with senior stakeholders across business units, global functions, and Group Legal & Compliance. This role carries significant visibility at the most senior levels of the organisation as a trusted advisor and thought leader on topical, high‑impact legal issues.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the MD, Global Head of Disputes & Financial Crime Advisory, the Senior Legal Counsel, Disputes (UK), helps to shape Swiss Re’s dispute resolution strategy and provides guidance on complex, high‑stakes matters affecting global operations. This role suits a proactive, solutions‑oriented lawyer able to dive into detail while communicating the bigger picture to drive effective outcomes in a dynamic, global environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Manage non‑claims litigation and oversee internal and external investigations in line with Swiss Re’s risk appetite, regulatory priorities, and reputational profile
• Partner with senior stakeholders to proactively identify and mitigate emerging areas of risk, including cross-border risks
• Lead case resolution through courts, arbitration, or mediation, including conducting witness interviews, drafting discovery responses, and creating settlement agreements, to optimise financial, reputational, and operational outcomes across jurisdictions
• Oversee multi‑jurisdictional transactional/ M&A disputes and HR litigation, ensuring stakeholder alignment and consistent legal positions across geographies
• Cultivate positive working relationships with team members and outside counsel; work collaboratively with internal clients and legal and compliance colleagues, and share knowledge in formal trainings across a variety of platforms
• Respond to government queries and support colleagues on re/insurance claims involving coverage and other contested matters as appropriate
• Contribute to periodic legal reporting and group initiatives

About You

You demonstrate strong leadership and strategic thinking in managing litigation and dispute portfolios, maintain a can‑do attitude, and respond swiftly and decisively to emergent issues. You enjoy collaborating across diverse backgrounds, functions, and regions, and you communicate complex concepts clearly to senior audiences.

Key requirements include:

• Qualified to practice law in the UK (Solicitor of England & Wales or equivalent UK jurisdiction) with senior-level experience in complex, multi‑jurisdictional litigation and investigations, including work involving insurance/reinsurance; in-house experience preferred
• Outstanding presentation, written, and oral communication skills with a proven record of presenting effectively to senior executives and/or boards
• Strong strategic and analytical skills with a solutions-oriented approach to litigation and dispute resolution, delivering high‑quality, timely, client‑focused advice that integrates legal, commercial, reputational, and ethical considerations
• Effective and inclusive leadership with a demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional initiatives and manage outside counsel; experience mentoring junior lawyers preferred
• Collaborative approach and global mindset suited to operating across jurisdictions and cultures
• Knowledge of e-discovery practices and procedures

Hybrid working

Swiss Re operates a hybrid work model; the expectation is that you will be in the office (or at a site for essential business activities) at least three days per week.

About the Team

The Dispute Resolution & Financial Crime Legal Advisory team supports all Swiss Re businesses and group functions globally. The team includes litigators, eDiscovery professionals, financial crime lawyers (including competition and sanctions), and employment lawyers. We leverage each other’s expertise while continually expanding our knowledge base.

About Group Legal & Compliance at Swiss Re

Group Legal & Compliance ensures that legal and compliance risks—pervasive across financial services—are systematically identified, assessed, and mitigated, protecting the firm, enabling strategy execution, supporting operations, and providing governance support and assurance as to the level of compliance throughout the company.

If it sounds like this is the role for you, send us your CV, and we look forward to meeting you!

The base salary range for this position is between £128,000 and £192,000 (for a full-time role). The specific salary offered considers:
• the requirements, scope, complexity and responsibilities of the role,
• the applicant's own profile including education/qualifications, expertise, specialisation, skills and experience.

In addition to your base salary, Swiss Re offers an attractive performance-based variable compensation component, designed to recognise your achievements. Further you will enjoy a variety of global and location specific benefits.
Eligibility may vary depending on the terms of Swiss Re policies and your employment contract.

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