Senior Legal Counsel

About the role

The Legal team at AXA XL Americas is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel with extensive experience in the admitted and surplus lines P&C insurance industry. Reporting to the Head of Legal – US Insurance, this role involves serving as a trusted advisor to senior business unit leaders and executives, providing strategic legal support to underwriting units, and playing a key role in shaping the future of the Americas Team.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted adviser to senior business unit leaders and executives, focusing on delivering commercial solutions while considering regulatory and licensing considerations.
• Deliver strategic and practical legal guidance to senior business leaders, positioning AXA XL as a differentiated market leader.
• Participate actively in enterprise risk management initiatives, identifying potential legal risks and collaborating with business leaders to develop effective mitigation strategies.
• Manage change effectively, multitask efficiently, and navigate legal and regulatory challenges to support business needs.
• Regularly interact with senior business leaders on complex or sensitive legal matters, understanding their positions and considering long-term consequences.
• Work closely with senior legal leadership, including the General Counsel, Insurance Americas, on legal projects spanning US, Canada, and Bermuda.
• Coordinate with the Global Legal Functions team on behalf of the North American Legal Team (US, Canada & Bermuda) on global legal projects.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of insurance and non-insurance legal agreements, including collateral agreements, third-party administrator agreements, service agreements, etc.
• Provide legal advice and technical subject matter expertise to underwriting units on policy forms, reviewing and analyzing existing products, and collaborating with underwriting on the creation and development of new products.
• Maintain outstanding relationships with US insurance regulators, ensuring all business activities adhere to regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Offer cross-functional legal support to internal operational areas such as Credit, Finance, Claims, Operations, and Marketing/Communications.
• Retain and manage outside counsel as necessary.

Qualifications

• Law Degree from an accredited law school, and licensed attorney in at least one state.
• Extensive experience in-house and/or law firm experience in commercial property and casualty insurance.
• Broad experience with multiple business lines and a diverse range of disciplines including insurance contract law, insurance regulatory matters, product development, and various commercial matters.
• Knowledgeable in insurance laws and regulations, with experience in multiple lines of business and hands-on product development preferred.
• Experience working as a trusted adviser to business clients.
• Ability to work without close supervision, solve complex problems efficiently, prioritize tasks under time pressure, and demonstrate strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and excellent communication and negotiation skills.

Skills

• Proactive problem-solver who facilitates discussions and engages with colleagues at different levels of seniority.
• Creative, outside-the-box thinker with a passion for mentoring and developing others.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, collaboration, negotiation, and presentation skills.

What We Offer

• Inclusion: AXA XL is committed to equal employment opportunity and diversity, fostering an inclusive culture and enabling business growth.
• Total Rewards: Competitive compensation, personalized, inclusive benefits, and a commitment to rewarding long-term contributions.
• Sustainability: Integral to our business strategy, focusing on protecting nature, addressing climate change, and integrating ESG considerations.
• Benefits: A wide range of benefits including a competitive retirement savings plan, health and wellness programs, and learning opportunities.