Associate - FS Regulatory (Cross Border Unit)

Simmons & Simmons; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Private medical insurance

Pension contribution

Hybrid working model

Job summary

Simmons & Simmons is seeking a senior associate for the Cross-Border Unit (CBU) to manage cross-border regulatory projects for global financial institutions. You will supervise junior team members, build client relationships, and help shape strategy across jurisdictions with AI-enabled insights.

The role requires 3–7 years’ PQE in financial services regulation, excellent academics, and a proven ability to lead and influence within a high-stakes environment.

Qualifications

• 3–7 years’ PQE in financial services regulation gained in a leading City firm or in-house.
• Excellent academic record.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day delivery of allocated client projects and ensure practical legal guidance within deadlines.
• Supervise junior members of the CBU and the wider team.
• Help develop client relationships and contribute to new pitches and client meetings.
• Review and comment on external counsel/advisor work and AI-generated outputs.
• Improve processes and collaborate with navigator team and internal stakeholders.

Skills

Relationship management

Commercial awareness

Leadership & mentoring

AI adoption

Job description

Overview

Growing out of the firm’s market-leading financial services regulatory practice, the cross-border unit (CBU) is a specialist team focused on strengthening Simmons & Simmons’ competitive position in cross-border regulatory matters. The team manages and delivers large-scale, high-profile regulatory risk projects for global financial institutions, using a combination of legal expertise, technology and AI-driven solutions to deliver commercially effective outcomes.

Overview

Growing out of the firm’s market-leading financial services regulatory practice, the cross-border unit (CBU) is a specialist team focused on strengthening Simmons & Simmons’ competitive position in cross-border regulatory matters. The team manages and delivers large-scale, high-profile regulatory risk projects for global financial institutions, using a combination of legal expertise, technology and AI-driven solutions to deliver commercially effective outcomes. The CBU supports clients in managing cross-border business through outsourced support, cyclical reviews, strategic advice and multi-jurisdictional projects. This work ranges from day-to-day operational support to complex regulatory change programmes with senior client accountability. The team leverages a proprietary global regulatory database, maintained through a network of local law firms across more than 150 jurisdictions. Combined with insights from client work and engagement with local counsel, this enables the CBU to provide a fully integrated, single point of contact for global regulatory issues. Associates develop a strong understanding of how financial services are regulated across jurisdictions, allowing them to assess client operating models, identify key issues and form initial views. They manage and instruct local counsel where required, ensuring advice is focused, commercially aligned and rigorously reviewed before delivery. Given the scale and variety of work, Associates must be adaptable and able to present analysis clearly across formats, from detailed reports to high-level executive summaries. A structured, process-driven approach is essential, including maintaining accurate operational and financial records and contributing to continuous improvement.

The role

• Responsible for day to day management of allocated client projects and ensuring clients receive commercial, practical advice within set time limits.
• Drafting and preparing client advice as well as reviewing and commenting on advice drafted by external counsel and/or internal colleagues and/or AI
• Responsible for supervising junior members of CBU and/or members of the wider financial services regulatory team.
• Building and developing client relationships, including attending meetings and calls as required.
• Building and developing internal relationships and external counsel relationships.
• Researching new areas of regulation / new financial services / products as required.
• Assist with drafting of pitches for new work and presenting to clients. Supporting senior project leads, as required, including monitoring for scope creep and flagging where work is outside of the agreed fee arrangement.
• Ensuring collaboration and solid working relationships between CBU and navigator team.
• Reviewing and suggesting improvements for processes / procedures, including the use of AI.
• Providing training and development for the CBU.
• Ensuring that fee agreements made with clients and external counsel are logged accurately, to support timely billing and effective cost management.

Person specification

• Applicants will ideally have 3–7 years’ PQE, gained in a leading City firm or in-house role with a primary focus on financial services regulation.
• Excellent academics.
• Ability to build and maintain constructive relationships and networks with a variety of different individuals at different levels of seniority, both internally and externally.
• Ability to influence and persuade at all levels, confidently and in an articulate manner.
• Ability to manage a varying workload with competing time pressures.
• Effective use of delegation.
• Strong client focus and commercially driven – keenness to demonstrate the navigator services offer to potential subscribers and train existing users.
• Able to manage a diverse and inclusive team.
• Willingness to embrace and deploy AI, and support others in doing so.

Here at Simmons & Simmons

Simmons & Simmons is a place where dynamic minds thrive. Our culture is built on work that matters, you will work on inspirational and thought-provoking projects, using your influence to create positive impact for our clients, society and the planet. We also ensure that everyone’s voice is heard from day one, irrespective of job title, qualification, or background. You’ll be encouraged to have an enquiring mind and share ideas that can drive the firm forward. Through innovative learning and development opportunities, you will be provided with a platform to excel, enabling you to exceed your career ambitions and do things you never thought were possible.

• Competitive compensation package, including bonuses, private medical insurance, and pension contribution.
• A global skills academy offering extensive learning opportunities for all employees.
• A hybrid working model, requiring a minimum of three days in-office, subject to role and client needs.
• Integration of traditional legal expertise with innovative Simmons & Simmons Solutions.
• Recognition as a Stonewall Top Global Employer and a Top 75 Employer for Social Mobility.
• Vibrant social and sports committees, as well as art collections featuring renowned artists.
• The introduction of a Strategic Advisory Council to drive strategic initiatives in line with our mission.

Equal opportunities

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment, offering equal employment opportunities to all applicants irrespective of sex, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, and more. Flexible working arrangements are supported, and we strive to make our roles accessible to all. Our employee networks offer additional support, detailed in our D&I Information booklet provided during the recruitment process.

We value diversity and encourage applications from those who are passionate and willing to grow with us, even if not all requirements are met. Your unique experiences and perspectives are welcomed here.