Associate or Supervising Associate - Hedge Funds

Simmons & Simmons; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm is seeking an Associate or Supervising Associate to join their Hedge Funds team in Bristol. This role requires 1-5 years of PQE with a strong background in investment management, particularly hedge funds. The successful applicant will work on fund formation and potentially negotiate IMAs and SMAs. This unique opportunity offers competitive compensation, a hybrid working model, and significant growth potential in a tier 1 practice.

Benefits

Competitive compensation package

Private medical insurance

Hybrid working model

Learning opportunities at a global skills academy

Qualifications

• 1 to 5 years' post qualification experience in a leading city practice or top tier hedge fund.
• Ability and willingness to engage in marketing and business development.

Responsibilities

• Advise on hedge fund structuring and formation.
• Negotiate Institutional Management Agreements (IMA) and Separate Management Agreements (SMA).

Skills

Strong exposure to investment management products

Knowledge of AIFMD

Knowledge of MiFID

Commercially driven

Strong client focus

Education

Excellent academics

Job description

We are a market-leading adviser on fund formation, supporting clients across the full spectrum of fund types, asset classes, and jurisdictions. With decades of experience in the funds industry, we are trusted advisors to fund managers, institutional investors, and service providers globally. Our expertise spans a wide range of fund types, including hedge funds, private funds, regulated funds, and bespoke structures, as well as diverse asset classes such as credit, private equity, infrastructure, and real estate. Our fund formation team advises on the full lifecycle of investment funds, from initial structuring and regulatory compliance to ongoing management and restructuring. We act for a wide range of clients, including institutional and independent managers, platform providers, boutiques, and debut teams. We advise on:

• Fund Structuring and Launch: Establishing private equity, credit, infrastructure, real estate, venture capital, and hedge funds across multiple jurisdictions, including Cayman, Luxembourg, Ireland, and the UK.
• Regulatory and Tax Advice: Navigating complex regulatory frameworks and tax considerations, including AIFMD, MiFID II, and cross-border marketing regimes.
• Fund Finance: Advising on subscription credit facilities, NAV facilities, and other financing arrangements to support capital deployment.
• Operational Setup: Drafting and negotiating fund documentation, including LPAs, IMAs, side letters, and service provider agreements.
• Strategic Structuring: Supporting bespoke structures such as funds-of-one, parallel vehicles, and joint ventures tailored to investor needs.
• Global Fund Registrations: Delivering end-to-end compliance solutions for cross-border registration and marketing of UCITS and AIFs, with tailored support across jurisdictions and proactive guidance on regulatory change.

Associate or Supervising Associate – Hedge Funds Team

We are recruiting for an Associate or Supervising Associate to play an integral part in our leading Hedge Funds team. The ideal candidate will be 1 to 5 PQE with strong exposure to investment management products and services, primarily in the hedge fund space.

The successful candidate will split their time across open-ended hedge funds work with a focus on hedge fund formation. There may also be some IMA/SMA negotiation work for institutional managers. Some knowledge of related regulation, including AIFMD and MiFID and other sectoral regulation, will be required. We are looking for a talented and technical lawyer who has the ambition, energy and aptitude to embrace our first-class client base in the asset management and financial institutions sectors and is looking to further develop their knowledge and experience of this exciting and evolving industry. Significant experience of hedge fund formation, particularly in offshore domiciles or in Ireland or Luxembourg will be of particular interest. This is a unique opportunity to join a tier 1 practice ranked firm and great future career opportunities at the firm for the right individual who tackles this role with success. Person specification

• Excellent academics.
• Applicants will ideally have between 1 and 5 years' post qualification experience gained at another leading City practice or within the in-house legal team at a top tier hedge fund or other asset manager.
• Strong client focus with an ability and willingness to get actively involved in marketing and business development.
• Commercially driven and highly energetic, with strong motivation to develop their practice over the long term.
• Able to work effectively as part of a diverse and inclusive team.

• 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.