Finance Senior Associate (Core Finance and Sports Financing)

DLA Piper International LLP; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

DLA Piper seeks a Senior Associate level lawyer to enhance their Sports Finance practice in London. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience (4-7 years PQE) in finance law, particularly sports financing, and demonstrate strong negotiation and client management capabilities. With diverse responsibilities, including leading negotiations and managing transactions, this role offers an exciting chance to impact a dynamic field while working within a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• At least 4-7 years PQE in Finance Law
• Strong technical skills in financing work
• Previous experience in structured finance or related areas preferred

Responsibilities

• Managing negotiation of main deal documentation.
• Building client relationships and leading transaction negotiations.
• Representing lenders and borrowers in complex structured finance transactions.

Skills

Negotiation

Interpersonal Skills

Teamwork

Client Relationship Management

Education

Solicitor qualified in England & Wales or Commonwealth jurisdiction

Job description

We are keen to build on our success and with key client mandates we are looking to hire at Senior Associate level to bolster our Sports Finance and wider Core Finance practice and further enhance our offering to our clients.

Tomorrow's legal solutions demand new skills. We can provide an excellent platform for success where you define the impact you make and can collaborate globally to define the impact you make.

The role will be based in our London office but with some travel to our other offices from time to time as you collaborate and service our wide client base.

Main duties and responsibilities

By joining one of the largest teams of dedicated finance lawyers in the world, you will receive support from Partners devoted to developing and achieving your goals. Candidates will enjoy a uniquely dynamic range of work that encompasses sports finance, real estate finance, leverage finance, structured finance and projects/infrastructure finance techniques. Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Working collaboratively with matter Partners on leading Sports Finance and other Core Finance deals
• Running negotiation of main deal documentation including facility agreements, US private placements and other debt documents
• Building client relationships and leading on transaction negotiations
• Representing lenders and borrowers in complex structured finance transactions
• Representing lenders and investors in all financing elements relating to Sports Finance (club, team and stadium) transactions, particularly the acquisition, sale, and development of real assets
• Working across practice areas within sports finance, real estate finance, leverage finance, structured finance and projects/infrastructure finance as required

About you

We pride ourselves on having a collaborative environment and are looking for approachable but confident lawyers with strong potential. While we do not set upper or lower limits of PQE for any of our vacancies, candidates with at least 4 -7 years’ PQE are likely to have the right level of knowledge and experience needed for this role.

You will be highly ambitious and enthusiastic, with a desire to progress their own career in sports finance law from the enviable platform that DLA Piper provides. They will ideally have a background in sports financing (particularly stadium financing) but this is not a requirement and a willingness to support the wider Core Finance team on this and other work. You will possess excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail, alongside a real focus on teamwork. The ideal candidate will:

• Be a Solicitor, ideally qualified in England & Wales or a Commonwealth jurisdiction
• Be an experienced Finance Lawyer, ideally with specific sports finance experience or alternatively with leverage finance, real estate finance, structured finance or project/infrastructure finance
• Demonstrate strong technical skills in finance work, with an international awareness and focus to their work
• Be capable of building strong client relationships
• Knowledge of drafting Loan Market Association debt facility agreements to be able to produce a first draft from a term sheet and require minimal input from the supervising partner other than to discuss and review headline issues
• Willingness to work on US private placement or other structured debt formats
• Take the lead associate support role to a partner on complex and high value transactions where the debt size would typically be in the range of £50-500m
• Working knowledge of lender and borrower requirements and approaches to transactions
• Experience of multi-jurisdictional transactions would be preferable but is not essential
• Be able to handle multiple priorities, working to sometimes conflicting timescales in a fast-paced and challenging environment
• Be able to build trust and rapport to develop effective relationships, internally and externally
• Be keen to get involved in business development
• Comply with professional standards and all relevant regulatory obligations
• Comply with the firm's systems, policies and procedures in all matters, including compliance, financial systems and time recording
• Manage and lead teams of Associate Lawyers
• Have an excellent academic and work record
• Have excellent skills in communication, client relations, team working and project management
• Strive to deliver solutions of the highest quality, able to think strategically and creatively
• Have the ability to interface at all levels and build strong relationships internally and externally
• Be able to lead, supervise and mentor more junior members of the core Finance team; and
• Recognise that business development is a key part of the role and have BD experience. Establishing, developing and maintaining client relationships and winning work from new and existing clients will be expected

This Role Profile is not designed to be exhaustive and can be varied as required to develop or fulfil this role.

About us

We're a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes.

At DLA Piper, we understand that inclusion is not a one-size-fits-all concept. We embrace and celebrate the range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that each individual brings to our firm. By fostering a culture that welcomes and appreciates all aspects of our individuality, we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Our commitment to inclusion and positive social impact enables us to provide exceptional service to our clients and communities, while nurturing a unique and inclusive culture for all our people. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.

We are committed to being accessible and accommodating any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the recruitment process to ensure an inclusive experience for all. If you need any support or adjustments, please let us know.

Where local legislation permits, we will conduct relevant pre-engagement screening checks prior to your first day.

At DLA Piper, we aim to make meaningful progress and build an inclusive culture where anyone affected by disability, neurodiversity or a long-term health condition has an equitable and accessible chance of success. If you think you may need adjustments or additional support to enable you to participate in our recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment team and we will be happy to support you.

Agile Working

We recognise that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That’s why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.

Pre-Engagement Screening

In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits, we will conduct pre-engagement screening checks that may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, your eligibility to work in the relevant jurisdiction, any criminal records, your financial stability, and references from previous employers.

Our hiring approach

Our hiring approach enables us to learn about the professional and person you are, and gives you the opportunity to learn about us. Your recruitment experience can differ depending on the type of role you are interviewing for. You will always meet your direct Line Manager for your role, as well as peers and close collaborators for the position. For some of our roles we may also use assessment tools, practical exercises, and panel presentations. Your Recruitment Business Partner will inform you of the recruitment process at the start of any recruitment process, but please let us know if you have any questions prior to making an application.

We’re redefining what an international law firm can be. With a unique global network and an unparalleled range of expertise, this is where you’ll work on the cases that shape the world and will define your career.

Staying in touch with like-minded people is important to us.Our Talent Community provides unique access to our firm so you can discover why we are a different kind of law firm.

We pride ourselves on the extraordinary impact we make beyond the borders of traditional law. That’s only possible because of the skills our business professionals bring and the environment we create to let them thrive. See where your skills could take you.