Legal Counsel

Schroders; City Of London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading asset management firm is seeking a Legal Counsel for their Private Equity business in London. This role involves managing legal aspects of fund launches, leading negotiations, and collaborating with various teams. The ideal candidate will have 7-8 years of PQE in private equity, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to thrive under pressure. A competitive salary and benefits await in a supportive team environment.

Benefits

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Competitive compensation

Dynamic team environment

Qualifications

• Demonstrable PQE (7-8 years) in private equity or similar environment.
• Deep expertise in private equity funds and investments.
• Knowledge of AIFMD, SFDR, SDR regulations.

Responsibilities

• Manage legal workstreams for fund launches.
• Lead investor negotiations and manage documentation.
• Oversee legal due diligence of investments.

Skills

Private equity expertise

Negotiation skills

Law firm experience

Collaborative mindset

Education

PQE (7-8 years) in private equity

Job description

Legal Counsel, Schroders Capital Private Equity

About Schroders Group

Schroders is a leading provider of active asset management, advisory and wealth management services and is widely recognised as a leader in sustainability. Few investment managers can match the combination of capabilities and global reach that Schroders offers. This breadth of services across public and private markets allows for distinctive solutions for the diverse needs of clients, who look to Schroders to provide superior long‑term investment outcomes.

Schroders Capital

Schroders Capital is the private markets business of Schroders with $97bn of AUM. We work as a global network of specialised, entrepreneurial teams. We combine a global perspective with local market expertise to serve institutional and private wealth clients. Our offering spans the private markets universe and provides access to unique capabilities across private debt and credit alternatives, real estate equity, private equity, and infrastructure equity.

The firm has deep expertise in creating bespoke solutions for institutional clients and is committed to providing scalable capabilities across the spectrum of risk, return and sustainability and impact objectives.

Supported by the resources, experience, and institutional framework of one of the world’s leading asset managers, Schroders Capital is dedicated to helping investors achieve their goals and is at the forefront of product innovation to meet the evolving needs of investors.

We see our role as being a driver of positive change drawing on deep skills to select, acquire, and improve the assets we own.

The team

Based in London, you will be part of the legal team supporting the Schroders Capital Private Equity business. The team, which is located in Zurich, London, Jersey, Luxembourg and Shanghai, is part of the larger Schroders Capital and Schroders Group Legal team supporting the strategic growth of the business, and identifying, managing and reporting legal risks.

Working as part of the Legal Team, you will manage all legal aspects of the private equity fund and product structuring process, investment process as well as adjacent corporate and contractual matters.

What you’ll do

• Project managing the legal workstreams of new funds and mandate launches for the Schroders Capital Private Equity business;
• Participate in discussions with the Private Equity Product Management team to refine new product ideas and work alongside internal Tax team to identify appropriate fund and management structure and outline fund terms;
• Participate in Private Equity product life cycle management;
• Lead investor negotiations and work alongside external counsel to manage the investor negotiation process;
• Lead the internal legal review of fund documentation prepared by external lawyers;
• Oversee external lead counsel who perform the legal due diligence of underlying investments to ensure consistency across the Schroders Capital Private Equity business;
• Liaise with external lead counsel, internal Tax and Legal Execution team to support investment transactional activity, such as establishment of investment holding companies and other SPVs;
• Respond to MFN elections, consents and other corporate actions in liaison with the Business;
• Participate in internal project working groups and coordinate with further functional teams within Schroders Capital Private Equity and the wider Schroders group, such as Compliance, Risk Management, Client Group, Fund Operations and Finance;
• Other ancillary tasks such drafting or reviewing term sheets, engagement letters, intra-group agreements etc.;
• Act as legal key stakeholder and manage relationships with the Private Equity business globally; and
• Liaise with and provide support to other asset class pillars within Schroders Capital.

The knowledge, experience and qualifications you need

• Demonstrable PQE (7‑8 years) gained in private equity / private assets funds team in a leading City or international law firm or in‑house within the private equity industry;
• Deep technical expertise with a range of private equity funds (including Luxembourg structures) and underlying investments globally;
• Working knowledge of key features AIFMD, SFDR, SDR.

What you’ll be like

• A flexible, adaptable and collaborative team player with a positive and “can do” attitude;
• Creative and prepared to think outside the box; willing to take the initiative and to present solutions rather than problems;
• Thrives under pressure while maintaining a high level of personal and professional integrity;
• Clear desire and ambition for success, comfortable making decisions and prepared to make the personal commitment to ensure success;
• Able to bridge cultural boundaries and generate confidence and loyalty with colleagues and clients;
• Highly collaborative team player.

We recognise potential, whoever you are

Our purpose is to provide excellent investment performance to clients through active management. Diversity of thought, facilitated by an inclusive culture, will allow us to make better decisions and better achieve our purpose. This is why inclusion and diversity are a strategic priority for us and why we are an equal opportunities employer. You are welcome here, regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio‑economic background, or any other protected characteristic.