General Counsel | Greenfields

Naiman Clarke; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 315,000 - 385,000; Full time

Job summary

Naiman Clarke is seeking an experienced General Counsel to establish and lead an in-house legal function within a fast-growing financial services group in Sydney. This sole GC role covers corporate, M&A and commercial matters, with cross-border transactions and an active acquisition/merger strategy.

You will work closely with senior executives, shape the legal function from the ground up, manage regulatory matters including AFSL, and provide strategic advice for international expansion.

Qualifications

• Senior Corporate & Commercial experience in financial services.
• Extensive M&A, corporate transactions and commercial contracting experience.
• In-house industry experience preferred, with AFSL regulatory knowledge.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead legal workstreams across acquisitions, mergers and corporate transactions.
• Manage due diligence, transaction documents and negotiations.
• Draft and negotiate complex commercial agreements.
• Advise on corporate structuring and private markets investments.
• Provide strategic legal advice on cross-border transactions and international expansion.
• Support AFSL regulatory matters with Risk & Compliance.
• Establish and develop the in-house legal function across the group.
• Collaborate with executives and stakeholders to identify legal risks and pragmatic solutions.

Skills

Corporate & Commercial

M&A

Negotiation

Stakeholder mgmt

Regulatory knowledge

Job description

An exciting opportunity to establish and lead an in-house legal function within a rapidly expanding financial services group, supporting high-value acquisitions, complex commercial transactions and international growth.

• Sole General Counsel opportunity within a fast-growing financial services group.
• Lead corporate, M&A and commercial matters within a financial services environment, including cross-border transactions.
• Competitive salary package of up to $350k, with flexible hybrid working arrangements.

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced General Counsel to join a rapidly growing and diversified financial services group in Sydney.

A multi-disciplinary financial services business experiencing significant growth through an active acquisition/merger strategy. With an expanding international presence, including growth into Eurpoe, this is a fantastic opportunity for a commercially minded senior lawyer to establish an in-house legal function from the ground up, working closely with senior executives and playing a key role in the group's continued expansion.

As the business's first dedicated legal hire, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of complex corporate and commercial matters, provide strategic legal advice and help shape the legal function as the organisation continues to grow.

The Role

• Working closely with Head or Risk & Compliance, Head of HR and the CEO you will lead legal workstreams across business acquisitions, mergers and corporate transactions and financial services related/regulatory advice.
• Manage legal due diligence, transaction documentation and negotiations relating to acquisitions and investments.
• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of complex commercial agreements.
• Advise on corporate structuring, private markets investments and commercial arrangements.
• Provide strategic legal advice on cross-border transactions and international expansion.
• Advise on financial services regulatory matters, including AFSL requirements, working closely with the established Risk and Compliance team.
• Work directly with senior executives and key stakeholders to identify legal risks and deliver commercially practical solutions.
• Establish and develop the group's in-house legal function, providing legal support across its growing portfolio of businesses.

About You

• An experienced Corporate & Commercial Lawyer with Financial Services experience operating at Senior Legal Counsel or General Counsel level.
• Big energy; a "role your sleeves up" and make things happen kind of person
• Strong experience in M&A, corporate transactions and commercial contracting, ideally gained within an in-house environment.
• Sound knowledge of the Australian financial services regulatory landscape, including AFSL requirements.
• Exposure to financial services, investment management, private wealth or corporate advisory businesses will be highly regarded.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Highly commercial, proactive and confident managing complex transactions with autonomy.
• Comfortable operating as a standalone legal professional, with the ability to establish processes and provide practical legal advice across the business.
• A collaborative, solutions-focused approach, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Flexibility to engage with international stakeholders across different time zones.