Graduate Trainee (Legal)

Job Description About abrdn At abrdn, our purpose is to enable our clients to be better investors. Clients worldwide trust us to find future-fit investment opportunities to deliver the outcomes they want. Our technology and insight help empower them to make better decisions, while the powerful partnerships we build help to enhance the expertise that we offer. And by enabling clients to invest responsibly, it helps us to build a better world. About the Role There is an opportunity to join the Edinburgh legal and company secretariat team at abrdn in September 2024 for a two-year, Scots-law traineeship. Our legal and secretariat team touches all parts of the business, supporting all of our growth vectors – Investments, Adviser and Personal – while playing a role in helping the company reach its strategic aims, protecting our reputation and looking after our clients’ and customers’ needs. Not only will trainees develop technical knowledge of asset management, but they will have a breadth of opportunity across many different kinds of legal work, including contracts for services, private & public company obligations, corporate transactions, and client disputes. We look for driven people with excellent analytical skills. An ability to see the bigger picture is important too – to help you to make balanced decisions, and communicate clearly with whomever you’re working with, regardless of seniority. From the day you join, we expect to give you the opportunity to be involved in a range of projects with seasoned professionals across all growth vectors. Trainee Programme The trainee programme normally includes a total of approximately three trainees, combining secondees from principal legal advisers and our in-house trainee team. While you will report to the Head of the General Counsel’s Office, trainees rotate through four six-month seats, working flexibly across teams to meet our business partners’ needs in all of the growth vectors. We offer a well-rounded programme for a variety of substantive experience rewarded by a competitive compensation package with excellent benefits. During your traineeship, you will work towards your entry qualification to the Law Society of Scotland. We will provide access to mandatory training under the PEAT 2 programme through one of our external firms and other providers, giving our trainees the ability to network more broadly in the Scottish legal community. There will also be talks and workshops from other teams, to provide insight into many different commercial and technical matters. This programme gives legal graduates the chance to initiate their career while gaining high-quality skills and experience. About You We are looking for motivated candidates with a commercial attitude who will have completed the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice by the start date and demonstrate:

• Communication skills: Clear and effective written and verbal communication.
• Team Work: Collaboration and breaking down boundaries when working with others.
• Trust & Integrity: Work delivered with integrity and to high ethical standards.
• Planning & Prioritising: Proactive and takes initiative. Accomplish tasks efficiently, prioritising objectives based on relative value, importance, and urgency.
• Attention to detail: Accuracy, consistency and organisation in work.
• Analytical: Collection and analysis of information to facilitate and support decisions. Problem Solving skills.

Application Process The application process is made up of four stages:

• CV & online application;
• Online tests;
• Pre-recorded video interview;
• Assessment centre (group activity, case study presentation, panel interview).

Our Inclusive Culture We have a long-term commitment to building inclusive work environments; we value diversity in our workforce and welcome enquiries from everyone. You can find out more about our inclusive culture here. Please contact us (entrylevel.recruitment@abrdn.com) if you require reasonable accommodation to be made to any stage of the recruitment process. Our Early Careers team will be pleased to discuss your needs and ensure that these are accommodated. Our Benefits There's more to working life than coming home with a good salary. We have an environment where you can learn, get involved and be supported. When you join us, your reward will be one of the best around, including 40 days annual leave, a 16% employer pension contribution, private healthcare and a range of flexible benefits including gym discounts, season ticket loans and access to an employee discount site amongst many others. You can read more about our benefits here. We’re committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all forms of difference are valued and which is free from any form of unfair or unlawful treatment. We define diversity in its broadest sense – this includes but is not limited to our diversity of educational and professional backgrounds, experience, cognitive and neurodiversity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief and ethnicity and geographical provenance. We support a culture that values meritocracy, fairness and transparency and welcomes enquiries from everyone. We value diversity in our workforce and welcome enquiries from everyone. Please contact us if you have a disability which requires any adjustments to be made to any stage of the recruitment process. Our Early Careers team will be pleased to discuss your needs and ensure that these are accommodated. We’re committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all forms of difference are valued and which is free from any form of unfair or unlawful treatment. We define diversity in its broadest sense – this includes but is not limited to our diversity of educational and professional backgrounds, experience, cognitive and neurodiversity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief and ethnicity and geographical provenance. We support a culture that values meritocracy, fairness and transparency and welcomes enquiries from everyone. If you need assistance or an adjustment due to a disability please let us know as part of your application and we will assist.