Legal Counsel (100%)

Büsser & Zeidler AG; Zürich; On-site; CHF 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Modern offices in Zurich

Flexible working options

Job summary

Leading investment manager in Zurich seeks a Senior Legal Counsel with strong expertise in Swiss and international financial market law, fund structuring, and private markets. You will deliver pragmatic legal guidance on regulatory, transactional and fund-related matters, ensuring compliance across jurisdictions.

Role involves coordinating licensing, cross-border activities, and working with Compliance, Risk, and external counsel. Fluency in English required; German advantageous.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Law (LL.M. or equivalent); Swiss or EU bar admission is an advantage.
• 5-8 years of relevant in-house experience within asset management, investment manager, private markets or similar investment organization.

Responsibilities

• Advise on Swiss financial market legislation (FINIG, FIDLEG, KAG, AMLA) and FINMA requirements.
• Advise on EU frameworks (AIFMD, MiFID II, SFDR).
• Lead licensing, regulatory and cross-border matters with authorities (FINMA, OAK-BV).
• Advise on structuring, establishment, and distribution of funds and financial products.
• Draft, review, negotiate investment management, advisory and service agreements.
• Support Luxembourg affiliate on private market fund structuring and management.
• Provide governance and regulatory advice in collaboration with Compliance and Risk.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

In-house experience

Contract drafting

Stakeholder management

English proficiency

German knowledge

Education

LL.M. / Master of Laws

Job description

On behalf of our client, a leading investment manager, we are exclusively searching for a Senior Legal Counsel with strong expertise in Swiss and international financial market law, fund structuring, and private markets to strengthen their legal team in Zurich.

In this role, you will provide clear, pragmatic legal advice on regulatory, transactional, and fund-related matters, ensuring compliance with applicable Swiss and international financial market regulations. You will work at the forefront of private markets, supporting innovative investment strategies in a dynamic environment where your legal expertise can make a direct impact.

Your Responsibilities

• Advise on Swiss financial market legislation, including FINIG, FIDLEG, KAG, AMLA and, where relevant, BVV 2 and ASV, as well as applicable FINMA regulations and requirements.
• Advise on relevant EU regulatory frameworks, including AIFMD, MiFID II and SFDR.
• Lead and support licensing, regulatory and cross-border matters, including interaction with relevant authorities such as FINMA and OAK-BV.
• Advise on the structuring, establishment, marketing and distribution of investment funds and financial products across Swiss and international jurisdictions.
• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial and investment-related agreements, including investment management, investment advisory, placement agent, introducer and service agreements.
• Support the Luxembourg affiliate on the structuring, establishment and ongoing management of private market funds, including collective investment schemes and partnership structures.
• Provide legal advice on corporate governance and financial market regulatory matters, working closely with Compliance, Risk and other internal stakeholders.
• Advise on general commercial and contractual matters relevant to the business.
• Act as a key contact for external legal counsel, regulatory authorities and relevant industry associations.
• Work closely with experienced senior legal professionals across a national and international environment, contributing to complex and high-impact legal matters.

Your Profile

• Master’s degree in Law (LL.M. or equivalent); Swiss or EU bar admission is an advantage.
• 5-8 years of relevant in-house experience within an asset manager, investment manager, private equity firm, private markets platform or similar investment organisation.
• Strong knowledge of Swiss financial market regulation, particularly FINIG, FIDLEG, KAG and AMLA, with a solid understanding of relevant FINMA requirements.
• Good knowledge of relevant EU financial market regulations, particularly AIFMD, MiFID II and SFDR.
• Proven experience in private markets, private equity or asset management, with a strong understanding of fund structures and cross-border regulatory frameworks.
• Experience with Luxembourg fund structures and/or Luxembourg fund law is highly desirable.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills, combined with a practical and solution-oriented approach to legal matters.
• Client-focused, precise and structured working style, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and work effectively with senior stakeholders across different functions and jurisdictions.
• Fluent in English; German is a strong advantage and French is a plus.

What’s on Offer

• The opportunity to work on complex and high-impact legal and regulatory matters across Switzerland and international jurisdictions.
• Exposure to fund structuring, private markets and cross-border investment activities.
• Collaboration with experienced senior legal, Compliance and Risk professionals in an international environment.
• A motivated, collaborative team culture with a high degree of responsibility and autonomy.
• Modern offices in Zurich and flexible working options.