Legal Counsel

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for an in-house commercial lawyer in the London Corporate Legal team.

Must be a qualified lawyer with 3+ PQE.

Must be a good team player and highly motivated, with excellent attention to detail. Must have exceptional communication and analytical skills, and the confidence to liaise proactively with internal clients and external counterparties.

About Us

Schroders is a global investment manager which provides active asset management, wealth management and investment solutions. We aim to provide excellent investment performance to clients through active management. We serve a diverse client base that includes pension schemes, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, high net worth individuals, family offices, as well as end clients through partnerships with distributors, financial advisers, and online platforms.

Established in 1804, we have around 5,500 people across 36 global locations. Schroders' success can be attributed to its diversified business model, spanning different asset classes, client types and geographies.

The base

We moved into our new HQ in the City of London in 2018. We’re close to our clients, in the heart of the UK’s financial centre and we have everything we need to work flexibly.

The team

The role will sit in the Corporate Legal team in London which handles corporate transactional matters (acquisitions; disposals; joint ventures); disputes and litigation; employment/ER work; regulatory investigations/interactions; commercial outsourcing and supplier arrangements; data protection and governance; and IP/branding as well as a wide variety of other corporate matters. 

What you'll do

You will lead on the drafting and negotiation of Schroders’ third party commercial and transactional contracts, including:

• IT service provider contracts (including software licences);

• market data agreements; 

• master services agreements; 

• engagement letters (including audit/tax/other professional services);

• client entertainment events, general events and/or marketing events agreements; 

• termination or amendment agreements to document changes (for example, length of term) to existing agreements; 

• NDAs/confidentiality agreements; and

• other relevant third party services agreements.

You will liaise and collaborate with key stakeholders in the firm’s Procurement, IT, Marketing, Finance, HR and Market Data functions, as well as all other relevant departments in the UK and internationally across the Group, where necessary to negotiate and execute commercial contracts. 

You will contribute to building process efficiencies and management information. You will assist in supervising and overseeing trainee lawyers and paralegals within the team.

The knowledge, experience and qualifications you need

• Qualified lawyer with 3+ PQE; strong academic qualifications (university degree or equivalent of a minimum of 2:1 in a Bachelors degree or equivalent).

• Strong experience in drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts including master services agreements, software licences, and/or IT and outsourcing agreements. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Excellent attention to detail and procedure.

• Strong organisational/prioritisation skills including ability to track and report on progress of commercial contract negotiations.

• Strong IT literacy skills.

The knowledge, experience and qualifications that’ll help

• You will have a keen sense of team spirit and accountability. 

• You will be a self-starter with an enthusiastic attitude and ability to use initiative. 

• You will have strong interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise with staff at all levels.

• You will be genuinely pro-active and keen to take on responsibility.

We Recognise Potential, Whoever You Are

Our purpose is to deliver excellent investment performance to clients through active management. We believe diverse perspectives and an inclusive culture help us make better decisions and achieve better outcomes for our clients. That's why inclusion is a strategic priority for us, and we are an equal opportunities employer. You are welcome here, regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or any other protected characteristic.

We will consider flexible working arrangements for all roles and provide reasonable accommodations to support applicants and employees, including those with neurodiversity, disability, or physical and mental health needs. For more information, please visit our FAQs.

Advertised Salary: Competitive Salary