Legal Counsel (Asset Management)

Location: London, United Kingdom; office attendance at least four days per week, with flexibility to work from home one day per week

Company

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is an investment business within hirify.global, with more than 2,300 employees and over 550 investment professionals serving clients across global asset classes and markets.

What you will do

• Draft, review, amend, negotiate, and advise on Investment Management Agreements and related legal and commercial agreements for standard segregated mandates and Liability Driven Investment mandates.
• Provide legal support for institutional distribution activities across EMEA.
• Draft and advise on intra-group agreements in collaboration with internal Tax and Finance stakeholders.
• Coordinate external legal advice and manage external lawyers when required.
• Respond to general and ad hoc legal queries from the business.
• Research and advise on developments in law, regulation, and practices affecting the institutional fund industry, including UK and offshore pooled products.

Requirements

• Qualified solicitor in England & Wales, or equivalent, with 3–6 years of relevant post-qualification experience.
• Proven experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating Investment Management Agreements and related amendments.
• Experience advising asset management or investment businesses in an in-house legal team within asset management or financial services, or at a reputable law firm.
• Understanding of the UK and wider EU regulatory environment.
• Exposure to and understanding of a broad range of investment fund structures and strategies.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks independently in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines, escalating issues and risks to the Senior Institutional Business Lawyer when appropriate.
• Ability to draft contracts with minimal supervision, particularly Investment Management Agreements.
• Strong attention to detail, critical thinking, appreciation of investment concepts, and ability to balance business risk with business opportunity.
• Ability to provide practical, commercial advice and maintain effective relationships with business, global, and General Counsel’s Organization stakeholders.

Culture & Benefits

• In-person collaboration is foundational, with employees working in the office at least four days per week and from home one day per week.
• Some roles may require additional in-office attendance or different office expectations, to be discussed during the hiring process.
• Permanent, full-time position within the Legal Affairs function.
• Inclusive, performance-based culture focused on diversity of thought, development, contribution, and equal opportunity.
• Flexible working requirements can be discussed with the recruiter.