Legal & Compliance Manager – Hedge Funds

Compliance Professionals; City Of London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist alternative asset manager is seeking a qualified solicitor to join as Legal and Compliance Manager. The role requires a minimum of three years’ experience in a buy-side environment. Responsibilities include overseeing legal matters, maintaining compliance frameworks, and adherence to regulatory standards. Strong knowledge of FCA and NFA/CFTC regulations is essential. This position mandates 5 days in the office, offering competitive remuneration and professional growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• UK-qualified solicitor with minimum three years’ post-qualification experience in a buy-side legal or compliance role.
• Strong understanding of FCA and NFA/CFTC regulatory frameworks.
• Experience in legal and compliance functions within an investment management or hedge fund environment.

Responsibilities

• Support COO and Board in managing legal matters and engage with legal counsel.
• Maintain and oversee compliance framework, including policies and monitoring.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with FCA and US regulatory requirements.

Job description

THE COMPANY

Our client is a specialist alternative asset manager. They are looking for a qualified solicitor with a minimum of three years’ post-qualification experience in a buy-side environment to join as Legal and Compliance Manager. Please note, this role requires 5 days in the office.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

Legal:

• Support the COO and the Board in managing legal matters across the firm and its fund structures, including engagement with external legal counsel.
• Monitor and mitigate legal risks, implementing appropriate controls and strategies.
• Assist in maintaining an efficient UK and offshore corporate structure for both regulated and unregulated activities.
• Oversee governance of fund entities, liaising with fund boards and company secretaries.
• Ensure fund offering documents are accurate, compliant, and up to date.
• Advise on legal aspects of investor communications and fund operations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a range of legal agreements, including investment, counterparty, supplier, and employment contracts.
• Establish and maintain a robust legal and governance framework for the firm’s cryptocurrency program.
• Support the maintenance of HR policies and the staff handbook.
• Assist with company secretarial duties, including board meeting coordination and statutory record-keeping.

Compliance:

• Maintain and oversee the firm’s compliance framework, including the Compliance Manual, policies, and monitoring programme.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with FCA regulations (including IPRU-INV and MIFIDPRU) and US regulatory requirements (NFA/CFTC).
• Conduct regular reviews of the firm’s ICARA and risk register.
• Oversee financial crime compliance, including MLRO reviews and AML/KYC procedures.
• Qualify prospective investors as professional clients under applicable rules.
• Review and approve marketing materials and financial promotions in line with regulatory standards.
• Provide compliance guidance to the business development team, particularly on cross-border marketing rules.
• Prepare and submit non-financial regulatory filings to relevant authorities.
• Monitor staff training to ensure alignment with regulatory obligations.
• Coordinate responses to AML/KYC requests from counterparties and investment entities.
• Ensure adherence to data protection and privacy regulations.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• UK-qualified solicitor with a minimum of three years’ post-qualification experience in a buy-side legal or compliance role.
• Strong understanding of FCA and NFA/CFTC regulatory frameworks. Familiarity with MIFIDPRU/IPRU-INV is advantageous. Experience in managed futures or derivatives is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in legal and compliance functions within an investment management or hedge fund environment.
• Working knowledge of onshore and offshore fund structures and their regulatory implications.
• Proficiency in reviewing and negotiating legal agreements and regulatory documentation.
• Strong ability to manage compliance records, policy updates, and governance processes.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with internal stakeholders, external counsel, and regulatory bodies.

For further information please contact Spencer Evans