Transaction Legal Vice President
London, LND, GB, EC2M 2AT
SMBC: A trusted partner for the long term
Here at SMBC Group, we want to help you find the next step in your career so read on to discover if this opportunity is the one for you. We like to recognise potential in our people, so we welcome your application even when your experience doesn’t perfectly align with the job description. Whilst we’ll always strive to be better, we’re proud of our inclusive culture, and encourage our applicants and colleagues to be their authentic, unique selves.
Who we are
United by a sense of purpose towards our customers – to be a trusted partner for the long-term – and our universal banking platform in EMEA, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future.
Role Summary
The banking lawyer’s role is to be a key point of contact to assist the corporate banking, asset finance/transport, real estate finance, transaction banking, trade finance and syndicated lending front office departments through the review, drafting and negotiation of a wide range of legal documents. These documents will include (amongst others) short and long form facility agreements, term sheets, transaction legal opinions, non-disclosure agreements, reliance/release letters, trade finance documentation and other similar documents. The banking lawyer will become allied to two or more front office departments, leading regular coverage meetings and acting as a key legal contact person. The banking lawyer with liaise with front office and other stakeholders on a daily basis as part of their work. The banking lawyer will also work closely with other STPD-Legal Group members and SMBC group stakeholders to proactively support the efficient execution of such documentation in accordance with internal requirements and policies and external regulations in order to manage legal risk.
In addition to the above key tasks, the banking lawyer will also assist members of the STPD-Legal team with other transactional matters or projects as required.
The person should be a lawyer qualified with a top tier law firm with experience of banking transactions, strong interpersonal skills. Previous in-house legal experience would be an advantage.
The person will have a good understanding of transactional banking and finance/corporate work and be used to liaising with stakeholders of a broad range of seniority. Experience of asset finance and/or an interest in AI/tech for lawyers would be an advantage but not critical.
The person will be an integral member of the STPD-Legal Group and must be capable of handling complex work. The person will understand the commercial dynamic of the Bank and will therefore need to possess the necessary maturity and experience. The person must be comfortable working on numerous concurrent matters as well as leading or assisting other STPD-Legal members on transactions/projects as they arise.
The person will work closely with STPD-Legal Group team members and stakeholders across the Bank to ensure that the Bank’s policies are followed and that legal risks are minimised to the extent possible.
Business Area
Strategic Planning Department - Legal
Position Description
The banking lawyer will be responsible (supervised by more senior members of the STPD-Legal Group) for the following tasks:
Acting as an allied coverage lawyer to two or more front office departments, leading regular coverage meetings and acting as a key contact legal person
Providing proactive advice on specific transactional contract matters encountered on individual departmental transactions with special focus on the corporate banking, transport, real estate finance, transaction banking, trade finance and syndicated lending front office departments.
In connection with the above, reviewing, drafting and negotiating:
- standard form facility agreements and finance documents based on internal templates
- long form bilateral and syndicated facility agreements and related documents
- term sheets
- mandate letters
- guarantee issuance facilities
- trade instruments
- security documentation
- external legal opinions
- non-disclosure agreements
- reliance/release letters and
- other transactional documents (e.g. comfort letters, commitment letters, indicative proposals, etc)
and in each case ensuring that these meet the Bank’s requirements and relevant guidance.
Where necessary, leading liaison with external lawyers in relation to the above
Assisting members of STPD-Legal Group as required (or where applicable, leading) on transactional/project work.
Ensure that company policy is followed in legal matters.
Being proactive to raise and escalate important legal issues and risks with relevant level of management.
Proactively contribute to the development of the Bank and actively work for the elimination of legal risk.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Qualified lawyer in the range of approximately 2+ years post-qualification experience from a reputable law firm or other financial institutions who has experience on of transactional banking and finance/corporate matters.
Excellent competence around drafting documentation and using bankwide systems and Microsoft office.
Excellent communication skills (including a business level of spoken and written English); commercially minded; ability to assess potential risks versus benefits.
Ability to work under pressure; ability to manage a number of issues/reviews/projects concurrently. accurate, timely and thorough; self-motivated; proactive; ability to work as part of a team.
Ability to attend CPD training courses in order to keep updated in relation to new and emerging legal issues.
To be open and approachable and act with integrity.
Experience of asset finance and/or an interest in AI/tech for lawyers would be an advantage but not critical.
Competencies
What we offer
For all the expertise and experience you bring to help us make a difference, it’s only sustainable if we support you to build your career and be your best self so we offer competitive company benefits, centred around promoting positive well-bring and work-life balance. We also believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all team members perspectives and contributions are valued. Initiatives in place which promote a diverse and inclusive culture and healthy work life balance include hybrid working, Sport & Social Clubs and Diversity and Inclusion networks.
As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings. See below some of the benefits on offer to you:
- Hybrid and flexible working
- Competitive paid leave days
- Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance and life and invalidity insurance
- Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services
- Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities
- Ambitious remuneration package
So, if you like a challenge and want to continuously grow and develop in a role where you will be supported along the way by a dynamic and diverse team, apply today!!
We recognise our role as a bank to support social change and welcome all applications, including those from groups often under-represented in financial services. We value the uniqueness of professional and personal, backgrounds and perspectives as they play a vital role in continuing the sustainable growth of our organisation. We’ll ensure reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process are offered due to a disability or long-term condition whenever requested.