VP Legal Counsel Leveraged Finance - Global Investment Bank

We have partnered with a global investment bank who are seeking a VP Lawyer to join their highly regarded Leveraged Finance team in London. This is an exceptional opportunity for you to play a pivotal role in the origination and execution of complex financing transactions for financial sponsor clients across Europe and the US. The organisation offers an environment where your expertise will directly influence deal outcomes, while providing you with exposure to cross-border transactions.

Key responsibilities:

• Review and negotiate complex financing documentation, including commitment papers, ensuring all key aspects of execution are managed with precision and care.
• Provide comprehensive input on legal, structural, and commercial risks to deal teams, escalating issues as appropriate to safeguard transaction integrity.
• Oversee execution workstreams from a legal perspective, supporting timely delivery against demanding transaction timelines while maintaining rigorous standards.
• Assist in negotiations with borrowers, sponsors, and external counsel by contributing to drafting processes and resolving issues efficiently.
• Collaborate closely with Origination and Capital Markets teams to contribute to deal structuring, supporting the development of robust terms and protections.
• Support portfolio management activities by handling amendments, waivers, and consents, ensuring alignment with established documentation standards.
• Maintain up-to-date awareness of market terms and trends in leveraged finance, proactively sharing insights with colleagues to inform decision-making.
• Coordinate effectively with external counsel by instructing them appropriately and managing day-to-day deliverables throughout the transaction lifecycle.
• Ensure strict adherence to internal policies, governance requirements, and documentation standards at every stage of the process.
• Contribute to the development of internal guidance materials and processes while providing mentorship and review support for junior team members.

What will make you successful?

• Admission as a solicitor in England & Wales or equivalent qualification from a common law jurisdiction is required for this position.
• Extensive experience advising on leveraged finance transactions involving complex cross-border structures across European and U.S. markets is essential.
• Proven track record supporting documentation negotiations with borrowers, sponsors, and external counsel within investment banking or similar environments.
• Strong understanding of legal and commercial aspects of financing structures including acquisition financings, public-to-privates (P2Ps), restructurings, and structured products.
• Working knowledge of subscription finance documentation as well as familiarity with securities (bond) documentation is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously under supervision while consistently meeting critical deadlines.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills enabling effective collaboration across front office teams, risk functions, legal departments, and external parties.
• Experience reviewing junior team members’ work product coupled with a commitment to mentoring others within the group.
• Ability to maintain awareness of market trends in leveraged finance and share relevant insights proactively with colleagues.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates