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
We have an exciting opportunity for a transaction manager (qualified or non-qualified) with a solid track record of DCM experience (with experience in structured notes, repackaging, hybrid and securitisation is helpful) to join a collegial Securities Legal team in London which is a part of the energetic SMBC EMEA legal team. The role will report to the Head of Securities Legal team.
The primary role of the Securities Legal team is to support securities transactions of Capital Markets Department (“CMD”, in particular, DCM) in the effective management of legal and reputational risks through the documentation and execution of transactions. The Securities Legal team provides transactional and structuring advice to front office for their proposed pitches/products. This includes liaising with external counsel and third parties (e.g. trustees, fiscal agents) to obtain quotes to assist the front office's competitive pitch proposal. The role will be required to work both autonomously and collaboratively with a broad range of front office stakeholders in the EMEA region as well as other jurisdictions such as New York, Hong Kong, Sydney and Tokyo.
The following are imortant requirements for the role:
- The Transaction Manager may be a qualified solicitor or equivalent and has worked in a City law firm (or in another in-house legal team with a relevant skill set) focusing on DCM products including hybrid, repackaging, structured notes, and/or securitisation.
- Knowledge of English securities law and regulation, as well as a working knowledge of commercial law and an appreciation of how other legal systems operate.
- Strong communication skills and adept at establishing professional credibility at all levels within the business, with the ability to build effective working relationships with key stakeholders.
- Strong levels of business understanding and commercial acumen.
- Proficiency in European language, in particular French, would be an advantage given our wide coverage of jurisdictions.
- Ensure a practical and pragmatic attitude to the provision of legal services which enables business to be carried out efficiently, effectively and safely in a way consistent with BI's appetite for legal risk, exercising their judgement to ensure these objectives are met
Business Area
The role is in the Securities Legal Team (currently a team of 8) of the STPD-Legal Group, which forms part of the wider Strategic Planning Department and currently consists of around 40 lawyers based in London. In addition, within the EMEA region, there are around 10 lawyers based in Frankfurt, Paris, Dubai and Dublin.
The role will also have opportunities to work across a broad range of legal, compliance, risk management, operations and other staff across the EMEA region, supporting various firm-wide projects as part of EMEA Legal team.
Position Description
To join the Securities Legal team who manages legal and documentation risk for BI's CMD transaction.
- The products we cover include: (i) for DCM, bonds/notes on a syndicated or non-syndicated basis, either standalone or drawdowns, covering vanilla, structured (including repacks), hybrid, high-yield or securitisations, EMTN programmes (establishment, update, drawdowns) and liability management (ii) for ECM, shares, rights issues, convertible/exchangeable bonds and REITs, typically on a syndicated basis; (iii) for M&A, the review and negotiation of engagement letters and NDAs. The team also covers repacks and structured notes for Fixed Income team and covered warrants for Equity team. In addition, the team supports front office colleagues in respect of transaction-related due diligence processes.
- We provide legal and documentation support for CMD, SMBC EU (mainly, Frankfurt and Paris) and ADGM branch, and support transactions executed across multiple jurisdictions and regulatory environments.
- Volumes of transactions vary over the course of the year and it is necessary to manage peaks of demand at certain times and ensure uninterrupted high quality service to the Front Office teams. For example, the team looks after over 200 EMTN programmes.
Challenges we face are:
- Balancing regular workload (which can be high in volume and/or demands a quick turnaround time) and involvement in the firm's legal projects.
- Providing high standards of legal advice in a constantly changing legal and regulatory environment, across multiple jurisdictions.
- Due to the nature of our work, some work may be required after business hours and/or weekends.
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.