Capital Markets Legal Counsel - Derivatives & Fixed Income - Assistant Vice President

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.

Capital Markets Legal Counsel

Is the next step in your career at SMBC Group EMEA? We’re seeking a Legal Counsel (Capital Markets) with a strong focus on Derivatives and Fixed Income products, based in Paris. 

The Legal Counsel is an intergral member of the Paris Legal Team within the broader Legal Team of SMBC EMEA Legal Team and shall work primarly on transactions and matters in connection with Derivatives & Fixed Incomes products. The Legal Counsel will draft, review and advise on the Derivatives and Fixed Income-related documentation and help with the execution of such documentation in accordance with internal requirements and policies and external regulations.  

Business Area

The primary role of the Paris Legal Team is to support all Business Lines in Paris in the effective management of legal risk and the documentation and execution of transactions and therefore, is responsible for the review and assistance in the execution of all transactions originated by DCM and Fixed Incomes Teams in Paris. Paris Legal Team also provides legal/transactionnal support to SMBC affiliates, managing the documentation and execution of their French Law/French Language related matters. Therefore, the Paris Legal Team plays an essential role in the transaction process for the whole Paris Branch and transactions cannot be executed in Paris without their review and sign-off.

The products that the Paris Legal Team will typically deal with include Transaction and Corporate Banking, Capital and Global Markets.

Position Description

The Legal Counsel will work closely with Front Office teams, including senior employees leading transactions, as well as Operations, Risk, and Finance teams.

The role involves supporting the Front Office in drafting, reviewing, and advising on a range of capital and global markets documentation, with a particular emphasis on derivatives and fixed income products. Key responsibilities include:

• Assisting with documentation for bonds/notes issued on a syndicated or non-syndicated basis, either standalone or drawdowns, vanilla, structured, hybrid, high-yield or securitisations; EMTN programmes (establishment, update, drawdowns) and liability management established under French and EU law.
• Supporting the negotiation and review of derivatives documentation, including FBF master agreements, ISDA and DRV master agreements, schedules, credit support annexes, and related security and intercreditor documentation.
• Providing transactional and structuring advice to front office for their proposed pitches/products. This includes maintaining a database of useful precedents (regarding timetables, jurisdictional advice, listing venue recommendations, fee structures) and liaising with external counsel and third parties (e.g. trustees, fiscal agents) to obtain quotes to assist the front office's competitive pitch proposal.
• Collaborating with senior lawyers on legal analysis and regulatory matters affecting capital markets transactions, including EMIR and other EU financial regulations.
• Contributing to legal research and updates on market practices and regulatory developments in the derivatives and fixed income space.
• Playing an active role in the life of the SMBC Group and to act as a role model for other departments. STPD-Legal is one of the most diverse departments in terms of gender and ethnicity at both junior and management levels.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• The Legal Counsel is accountable to Head of Paris Legal in the first instance and to the Head of Securities Legal in London Legal Team.
• The Legal Counsel must ensure a practical and pragmatic attitude to the provision of legal services in a way which enables business to be carried out efficiently, effectively and safely in a way consistent with SMBC's appetite for legal risk, exercising their judgement to ensure these objectives are met.

Requirements

Requirements

• The Legal Counsel may be a qualified lawyer or equivalent and has worked as an in-house legal team with a relevant skill set with between 3 - 5 years post-qualification experience.
• She/he must have general knowledge of EU 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.
• Demonstrates confidence and is adept at negotiating and influencing others.
• Excellent planning, organisation and coordination skills with the ability to work under pressure, to tight deadlines and on varying agenda, simultaneously flexing priorities when necessary.
• Strong levels of business understanding and commercial acumen.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Highly articulate and able to apply new skills effectively.
• Fluent in English and French. Any other EU language would be desirable (given our support to our European offices), but not a requisite.

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!!