Legal Director - RegCom

Company Description

ABOUT IQ-EQ

We’re a leading Investor Services group offering end-to-end services in administration, accounting, reporting, regulatory and compliance needs of the investment sector worldwide.

We employ a global workforce of 5,500+ people across 25 jurisdictions and have assets under administration (AUA) exceeding US$750 billion. We work with 13 of the world’s top 15 private equity firms.

Our services are underpinned by a Group-wide commitment to ESG and best-in-class technology including a global data platform and innovative proprietary tools supported by in-house experts.

Above all, what makes us different is our people. Operating as trusted partners to our clients, we deliver intelligent solutions through a combination of technical expertise and strong relationships based on deep client understanding.

We’re driven by our Group purpose, to power people and possibilities.

Job Description

Responsibilities

The primary purpose of this role is to take a lead and expert role on the contracting process for the Funds business (both G10 and Sapia, where acting as Manager) from onboarding and beyond, with the aim of ensuring that legal risk is adequately managed according to the regulatory risk environment and the business’s operational needs.

This role will be part of the RegCom funds senior team making decisions on an ongoing basis about strategy, people, processes and clients. This is likely to involve hands-on issue resolution and taking responsibility for delivering projects outside the requirements of the specific job function.

Tasks

Lead with clients as the point-person for contracting, including issuing proposals, reviewing and negotiating contracts between the Manager and clients

Maintain close relationships with commercial team to respond to RFPs appropriately and discuss strategy and structuring with clients

Member of, with a view to providing advice on legal risk to the ACE (Acceptance, Continuation, Exit Committee)

Provide legal advice to the Fund Operations and management team on the set-up, onboarding and compliance of AIFs and managed accounts

Review fund documentation from the Manager’s perspective, including offering documents, prospectuses, LPAs

Draft and/or review documentation that the manager is required to enter into, including management agreements, delegation agreements, advisory agreements

Update and maintain template database

Provide ongoing transactional support to the Fund Operations team, review any documentation required for the activity of the client fund/accounts;

Provide legal advice on compliance obligations including AIFMD, MiFID II to the operational team, compliance team, and other stakeholders

Lead a contract review process to identify any existing gaps in contractual and legal risk, including reporting to Boards on results

Member of the AIF Oversight Committee and advise members of legal risk]

Develop and maintain a full and complete understanding of operational and compliance matters within Fund Management

Manage issues and disputes with clients, liaising with Group Legal, insurers, and external counsel where appropriate. Provide advice on litigation risk to Boards

Liaise with legal counsel at IQEQ Fund Management in Ireland and Luxembourg to share best practice

Key competencies for position and level (see Group Competency model)

Communication and stakeholder management

Strong client focus and commercial awareness

Gains trust and respect through demonstrating subject matter expertise and solution focus

Key behaviours we expect to see

In addition to demonstrating our Group Values (Authentic, Bold, and Collaborative), the role holder will be expected to demonstrate the following:

Excellent judgement and attention to detail

Positive attitude to problem solving

Ability to learn the business

Manage stakeholder expectations

Determined, focused, energetic

Qualifications

Required Experience

2.1 or above degree from a recognised university.

Qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales

At least five years of post-qualification experience in a combination of top-tier law firm/ in-house financial services organisation.

Working knowledge of the asset management and/or alternative asset industries, in particular private funds.

Experience advising regulated boards

Strong commercial contract negotiation experience including outsourcing agreements, SAAS, data and tech agreements and strong understanding of GDPR, DORA, and evolving reg-tech sector.

Knowledge of the UK and European regulatory landscape as it pertains to AML, AIFMD, UCITS and MiFID

Languages: English

Preferred Experience

Experience in senior leadership position

Experience working directly with FCA

Experience in multinational organisation

Additional Information

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU AND THE ENVIRONMENT

As a forward-looking business, sustainability is integral to our strategy and operations. Our sustainability depends on us building and maintaining meaningful, long-term relationships with all our stakeholders – including our employees, clients, and local communities – while also reducing our impact on our natural environment.

There is always more we can, and should do, to improve – whether in relation to our people, our clients, our planet, or our governance. Our ongoing success as a business depends on our sustainability and agility in a changing and challenging global landscape. We’re committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and diverse culture for our people, led by our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion steering committee.

Our learning and development programmes and systems (including PowerU and MyCampus) enable us to invest in growing our employees’ careers, while our hybrid working approach supports our employees in achieving balance and flexibility while remaining connected to their colleagues. We want to empower our 5,500+ employees - from 94 nationalities, speaking 41 languages across 25 countries - to each achieve their potential. Through IQ-EQ Launchpad we support women managers launching their first fund, in an environment where only 15% of all private equity and venture capital firms are gender balanced.

We’re committed to growing long-term relationships with our clients and supporting them in achieving their objectives. We understand that our client’s sustainability and success leads to our sustainability and success. We’re emotionally invested in our clients right from the beginning.