Legal Counsel - Investment Management

Manulife; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An international financial services provider is seeking a qualified Funds or Financial Services Solicitor for their in-house legal team in London. The role involves drafting and negotiating a variety of legal documents, supporting fund launches, and providing regulatory advice within a collaborative environment. The ideal candidate will have 2–3 years of relevant experience and excellent communication skills. This position offers a competitive salary, benefits, and a flexible hybrid work model.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Supportive culture

Flexible work policies

Growth trajectory and career pathways

Qualifications

• 2–3 years PQE at a law firm or in-house.
• Experience with fund launches and asset management regulatory frameworks.
• Strong commercial and pragmatic approach.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate transaction and trading documents.
• Support fund structuring and launch of new investment products.
• Advise on legal and regulatory issues related to trading.

Skills

Drafting and negotiation skills

Understanding of financial products

Written and verbal communication skills

Strong influencing skills

Ability to work independently

Education

Qualified lawyer - England & Wales or Ireland

Job description

Job Profile Summary

We are seeking an English or Irish-qualified Funds or Financial Services Solicitor to join the Manulife Investment Management Europe in-house legal team.

The role offers exposure to a wide range of sophisticated legal matters in the asset management space covering a range of products and asset classes. The successful candidate will work closely with investment, compliance, marketing and distribution, operations, and other infrastructure teams across the business.

The role is well-suited for a corporate and/or financial services “generalist” who is willing to work across a wide range of matters. However, a generalist background is not a pre‑requisite and we can consider candidates who have previously specialised in a particular area but are willing to expand their knowledge base and work across new areas.

JOB DESCRIPTION

People Leader Role: No

Responsibilities

Transaction & Trading Documentation

• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of transaction and trading documents including:
• Trade‑specific documentation in respect of primary issuance of private and public deals (often working alongside outside counsel)
• Secondary market trading documentation such as transfer agreements, rep letters, etc
• Advise on legal and regulatory issues arising in the course of trading and investment activities

Fund Structuring & Launches

• Support existing funds and structuring and launch of new funds, investment products, third party mandates, including preparation and review of fund offering memoranda, constitutional documents, subscription documents, IMAs and side letters
• Review and negotiation of service provider agreements such as Administration, Depositary, and Custody Agreements.
• Coordinate with external counsel as needed

Distribution & Marketing

• Review and negotiation of Distribution Agreements, Investor side letters, DDQs etc.

General Corporate & Governance

• Draft and negotiate commercial and corporate agreements (e.g. service agreements, NDAs, board resolutions)
• Provide support on governance matters including board and committee support, policies and entity management
• Support on regulatory change projects and initiatives

Sustainability

• Ad hoc support on sustainability regulatory change projects
• Ad hoc support on firm/product sustainability disclosures

Key Requirements

• Qualified lawyer - England & Wales or Ireland with 2–3 years PQE at a law firm or in‑house
• Understanding of financial products and structures, preferably in the credit space desirable
• Experience with fund launches and/or asset management regulatory frameworks (AIFMD, UCITS, MiFID)
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills; commercial and pragmatic approach
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment

Additional Requirements

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills
• A thoughtful style – able to operate with a high level of discretion and poise
• A strong sense of curiosity and the aptitude to quickly identify and respond to legal risk

What can we offer?

• A chance to join the entrepreneurial London office of one of the world’s leading, and most successful, asset managers.
• A fantastic, supportive, culture.
• A competitive salary and benefits package.
• A growth trajectory that extends upward and outward, encouraging pursuit of passions and learning new skills.
• A focus on growing career pathways.
• Flexible work policies and strong work‑life balance

Acerca de Manulife y John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation es un importante proveedor internacional de servicios financieros que ayuda a las personas a tomar decisiones de una manera más fácil y a vivir mejor. Para obtener más información acerca de nosotros, visite http://www.manulife.com .

Manulife es un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

En Manulife/John Hancock, valoramos nuestra diversidad. Nos esforzamos por atraer, formar y retener una fuerza laboral tan diversa como los clientes a los que prestamos servicios, y para fomentar un entorno laboral inclusivo en el que se aprovechen las fortalezas de las culturas y las personas. Estamos comprometidos con la equidad en las contrataciones, la retención de talento, el ascenso y la remuneración, y administramos todas nuestras prácticas y programas sin discriminación por motivos de raza, ascendencia, lugar de origen, color, origen étnico, ciudadanía, religión o creencias religiosas, credo, sexo (incluyendo el embarazo y las afecciones relacionadas con este), orientación sexual, características genéticas, condición de veterano, identidad de género, expresión de género, edad, estado civil, estatus familiar, discapacidad, o cualquier otro aspecto protegido por la ley vigente.

Nuestra prioridad es eliminar las barreras para garantizar la igualdad de acceso al empleo. Un representante de Recursos Humanos trabajará con los solicitantes que requieran una adaptación razonable durante el proceso de solicitud. Toda la información que se haya compartido durante el proceso de solicitud de adaptación se almacenará y utilizará de manera congruente con las leyes y las políticas de Manulife/John Hancock correspondientes. Para solicitar una adaptación razonable en el proceso de solicitud, envíenos un mensaje a [e-mail] .

Modalidades de Trabajo

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