STPD - Transaction Legal - Vice President

Job description

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. Purpose of the Role The Legal Counsel will be a member of the Structured Finance and Group Affairs team within STPD-Legal Group. The role will involve drafting, reviewing and advising on a broad range of finance documentation, and supporting and advising on the structuring and execution of such transactions in accordance with internal requirements and policies and external regulations. The Legal Counsel will have a particular focus on supporting a wide range of structured finance and credit risk transfer transactions, including lender financing (e.g., back-leverage facilities), portfolio acquisitions and disposals (including by way of synthetic risk transfer), significant risk transfer transactions, margin loans and other structured funding and credit risk mitigation arrangements. The Legal Counsel will act as legal adviser to the Bank to help manage contractual, legal, regulatory risks and developments and assist with the legal implications of the Bank’s strategic vision, goals and values. The individual may also be involved in projects as a representative of such Legal team. "The anticipated salary range for this role is £96,000-£144,000, with the final offer determined based on the candidate’s skills, experience, role scope, location, and relevant market factors. In addition to base salary, the role may be eligible for a discretionary incentive award and a competitive benefits package, including core benefits such as pension provision."​ Background and Organisational Context The person should be a qualified banking lawyer with experience from a reputable law firm and/or financial institution, and with strong interpersonal skills who will act as a legal advisor to all levels of the Bank in the EMEA region as well as for SMBC group globally where required on matters of a legal nature. Experience in structured finance matters (such lender financing, portfolio acquisitions/disposals, significant risk transfer transactions, margin lending and/or other structured funding or risk mitigation arrangements) is preferred as the person will primarily support business activities in these areas. The person will be liaising with stakeholders of a broad range of seniority across various groups in the Bank as well as customers of the Bank where required in relation to a broad range of transactional documentation and legal issues, as well as representing the STPD-Legal Group in important bankwide projects and committees where relevant. Scale and Scope The person will be an integral member of the STPD-Legal Group and must be capable of handling complex work. The person will work closely with STPD-Legal Group team members and stakeholders across the Bank to ensure that the Bank’s strategy and objectives are satisfied and that legal risks are minimised where possible. The person will understand the commercial dynamic of the Bank and will therefore need to possess the necessary maturity and experience. Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities Reviewing, drafting and negotiating new and existing structured finance and general finance documentation, including lender financing (e.g. back-leverage facilities), portfolio acquisition and disposal documentation (including synthetic structures), credit risk transfer documentation (including significant risk transfer transactions), margin loan documentation, and related term sheets and mandate documents for business stakeholders across the EMEA region with and without support from external legal counsel; Advising on legal, structuring, due diligence and execution issues in connection with such transactions, and liaising closely with business promotion groups and operational and back office teams on such matters; Coordinating and undertaking legal due diligence in respect of portfolio acquisitions, disposals and risk transfer transactions, including managing external counsel and assessing diligence findings; Monitoring and advising on regulatory matters and market developments relevant to structured finance, synthetic securitisation and credit risk mitigation transactions; Providing legal advice to any other part of the SMFG group if requested, including Tokyo Head Office in relation to matters of English law and review/ drafting documentation for overseas offices where governed by English law; Drafting and/or reviewing Bank wide standard documentation and drafting other miscellaneous documents required by the Bank internally or externally; Dealing proactively with questions of a legal nature which arise throughout EMEA Region as a result of the Bank’s customer relationships, operations, regulatory obligations and corporate governance; Ensuring that company policy is followed in legal matters (but not to check credit department approvals unless specifically asked); Proactively identifying and escalating important legal issues and risks to the relevant level of management; Proactively contributing to the development of the Bank (including contributing to new product initiatives) and actively working for the elimination of legal risk; Supporting general finance work undertaken by STPD-Legal Group as and when required, such as, for example, confidentiality agreements, engagement letters and release/reliance letters; and Being a member of or deputising for members of various SMBC BI and EMEA Region committees or projects which the STPD-Legal Group are involved in. Knowledge, Skills and Experience Qualified lawyer with approximately 4 to 8 years’ post qualification experience, with solid experience in structured finance, general banking and credit risk transfer transactions which has been gained at a reputable law firm and/or financial institution. Good familiarity with market standard loan documentation and structured finance products and transaction structures. Person will be expected to attend CPD training courses in order to keep updated in relation to market loan documentation developments and new and emerging legal issues, particularly in the context of structured finance products. Good competence around drafting documentation and using bankwide systems, including Microsoft CoPilot and Microsoft Office. To build good interpersonal relationships with stakeholders and to be a team player. To be able to manage and direct the legal aspects of the legal department’s work to bankwide project committees. To be open and approachable and operate with a high degree of autonomy. Participate in specific industry bodies and professional associations where appropriate. Challenges Develop an understanding of the Bank’s commercial operations and policies so as to provide pragmatic advice. Manage legal risk in accordance with the constantly changing regulatory requirements which apply to financial institutions. Assist stakeholders to understand applicable legal risks. Work at a fast pace across a broad range of different business areas. 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. Competencies Customer Focus Driving Change Driving Results Embraces Diversity Enterprise Leadership Judgement and Decision Making Risk Management Strategic and Visionary Trust and Integrity 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. We are committed to transparent and equitable pay practices. Compensation is determined using objective criteria, including skills, experience, and role responsibilities, and applied consistently throughout our recruitment processes. We do not request candidates' pay history and are committed to preventing unjustified pay disparities.