Asset Management Associate, Documentation Specialist

The company:

A leading global financial services firm are seeking an Asset Management Legal, Associate, Documentation Specialist to support the legal team within one of their core asset management divisions.

The role:

This is a key role in the asset management division managing the ever more complex legal risks associated with it entering as agent into derivative documentation on behalf of a wide range of underlying clients. It would suit a candidate who exhibits pro-activity to set things in motion and to suggest improvements to current processes and help them evolve and adapt to rapidly changing requirements. It is also important to have, or quickly develop, a sense of the practical application and impact of the changes in these areas in order to help the business think through the potential consequences and the optimal solutions - some of these may have far reaching impacts as to how it trades for its clients and the investment objectives that it is able to realistically achieve for them.

An important part of this role will involve dealing with external asset management clients, the asset management business (inc all of front, middle and back office), the broader industry (and representing the division in industry wide discussions), and regulators as well as liaising with legal counterparts, both outside the firm and within the firm, the latter being most particularly in the US and Asia-Pacific.

About you:

• Strong educational background.
• At least 3 years material exposure to OTC derivatives and other trading documentation, ideally from the buy side perspective.
• Team player with the ability to be pro-active in a challenging business environment, whilst adhering to firm policies and group practices.
• Pro activity and able to react quickly and confidently under pressure.
• Able to work within but also suggest improvement to processes.
• Personable and confident with ability to interact well directly with the business team and to take on responsibility for key business relationships.
• Drafting and negotiation skills.
• Familiarity with key regulatory overlay to the derivatives market in Europe, ideally also with some knowledge of associated US regulatory issues.

Competencies:

• Technical Skills - Demonstrates strong technical skills required for the role, pays attention to detail, takes initiative to broaden his/her knowledge and demonstrates appropriate financial/analytical skills
• Drive and Motivation - Successfully handles multiple tasks, takes initiative to improve his/her own performance, works intensely towards extremely challenging goals and persists in the face of obstacles or setbacks
• Client and Business Focus - Effectively handles difficult requests, builds trusting, long-term relationships with clients, helps the client to identify/define needs and manages client/business expectations
• Teamwork - Gives evidence of being a strong team player, collaborates with others within and across teams, encourages other team members to participate and contribute and acknowledges others' contributions
• Communication Skills - Communicates what is relevant and important in a clear and concise manner and shares information/new ideas with others
• Judgement and Problem solving - Thinks ahead, anticipates questions, plans for contingencies, finds alternative solutions and identifies clear objectives. Sees the big picture and effectively analyses complex issues
• Creativity/Innovation - Looks for new ways to improve current processes and develop creative solutions that are grounded in reality and have practical value
• Influencing Outcomes - Presents sound, persuasive rationale for ideas or opinions. Takes a position on issues and influences others' opinions and presents persuasive recommendations