Derivatives Legal Counsel

Legal Counsel (Derivatives & Structured Finance) Role: VP Location: London Sector: Investment Banking | Financial Services Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Benefits Reporting to: Head of Legal

About the Role

We are working with a leading international financial institution seeking a commercially focused Legal Counsel to join its EMEA Derivatives & Structured Finance legal team.

This is a broad, business-facing role supporting derivatives trading, treasury and risk solutions activities across the region. The successful candidate will provide legal advice on a wide range of OTC derivatives transactions, regulatory developments and strategic business initiatives, partnering closely with front office, risk, compliance and operations stakeholders.

The role offers exposure to complex and high-profile transactions, alongside the opportunity to contribute to regulatory change projects, product development and legal risk management initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, draft and advise on a wide range of derivatives documentation, including ISDA Master Agreements, Credit Support Annexes, collateral arrangements, client clearing documentation and related transaction documents.
• Provide legal support to trading, sales, treasury, operations, credit risk, collateral management and other business functions on legal issues arising from derivatives activities.
• Advise on new products, transaction structures and strategic business initiatives.
• Support the implementation of legal and regulatory developments affecting derivatives markets, including EMIR, UK EMIR, Dodd-Frank, MiFID II, SFTR and other relevant regulations.
• Advise on close-out, netting, default and collateral enforcement matters.
• Work closely with risk, compliance and credit teams to identify and manage legal risk.
• Develop and maintain legal templates, policies, procedures and training materials.
• Support regulatory remediation projects, documentation repapering exercises and wider legal initiatives.
• Manage relationships with external counsel where required and ensure effective oversight of outsourced legal support.

Skills & Qualifications Required

• Qualified solicitor or similar qualification.
• Approximately 4-8 years' post-qualification experience as a rough guide.
• Experience gained within a leading law firm, financial institution or a combination of both.
• Strong technical expertise in derivatives law and regulation, with extensive experience negotiating and advising on ISDA documentation.
• Knowledge of securities financing transactions and experience with GMRA and/or GMSLA documentation would be advantageous.
• Strong commercial judgement with the ability to balance legal risk against business objectives.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently while building effective relationships across multiple business functions and jurisdictions.
• High attention to detail, strong problem-solving capability and a collaborative approach to working within a team.

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