Overview
HSBC’s Legal function plays a critical role in supporting the bank’s global operations, managing legal risk, and ensuring the efficient and effective use of external legal resources. We work closely with leading law firms and alternative legal service providers (ALSPs) to secure the best commercial and strategic outcomes for the bank.
We are currently seeking an ambitious individual to join the Group Sustainability Legal team as a Senior Legal Counsel, working together with colleagues to provide legal subject matter expertise in the identification and pragmatic management of ESG legal risk.
The Group Sustainability Legal team is part of the Group Corporate and Treasury Legal Team (GCTL) in London. The Group Sustainability Legal team provides expert legal advice and business partnering to the Group Sustainability function, business lines and Group senior management and works closely with Group functions including Risk and Finance. Sustainability is a fast evolving area, with legal support required across a number of areas, including strategic approach, regulatory reporting and disclosure obligations, policy setting and risk management. Key areas of focus to date include supporting the publication of the Group’s net zero transition plan (including interim financed emissions targets), updates to the Group’s sustainability risk policies, the Group’s ESG reporting and disclosures, and legal support on the implementation of relevant sustainability regulations.
In this role, you will:
- Provide central legal support to the Group Sustainability function including the Sustainability Centre of Excellence.
- Provide central legal support to the Group Legal function regarding Group Sustainability matters.
- Assist with the review of HSBC’s ESG reporting and disclosures, including the ESG sections of the HSBC Holdings plc Annual Report and Accounts and related documents, and the Group’s Annual Modern Slavery Statements.
- Provide legal support on the implementation of relevant ESG regulations.
- Work closely with the Deputy General Counsel, GCTL and the Managing Associate General Counsel, Sustainability on emerging regulations and, horizon scanning regarding sustainability matters.
- Provide expert and professional legal advice, guidance and support to ensure that the legal and reputational risks in this area are identified, reported and mitigated.
To be successful in this role you should meet the following requirements:
- Qualified Lawyer with appropriate experience
- Experience in sustainability related matters, including in human rights, would be a strong advantage
- Knowledge and understanding of key UK, EU and global ESG regulations and disclosure frameworks, such as TCFD, Modern Slavery Act, CSRD and CSDDD, ISSB would be a strong advantage
- Ability to prioritise, take ownership of matters and work directly and manage multiple stakeholders
- Strong communication and inter-personal skills
- Lateral thinking/problem solving skills
The base location for this role is London with a hybrid working pattern.
