Exciting role for a Derivatives Master Agreement Negotiator to work within the Markets Legal team of a US bank. We provide a great opportunity if you are looking to accelerate your career growth and gain strong exposure to the APAC Markets business in a well-supported in‑house Legal environment.
As a Derivatives Master Documentation Negotiator – Vice President in our dynamic, fast‑paced client‑facing Markets legal team, you will be responsible for the front‑to‑end negotiation of various markets master agreements supporting the APAC Markets business. Your role includes providing comprehensive legal and regulatory advice related to these documents, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations and strong collaboration with clients and internal stakeholders to facilitate negotiations and resolve any legal issues that arise. You will coordinate regulatory initiatives impacting documentation, partnering with internal stakeholders and industry groups to translate regulatory change into clear guidance and business deliverables. You will have expertise in APAC‑related derivatives matters and a strong understanding of the regulatory landscape impacting derivatives. Additionally, you will play a crucial role in fostering operational efficiency and implementing technology solutions for documentation processes.
Job Responsibilities
- Prepare, negotiate and execute various trading master agreements such as ISDA Master Agreement, Credit Support Annex and related documentation including guarantees, letters of comfort, amendment agreements, termination agreements, and novation agreements, local master agreement (including NAFMII Agreement), securities lending and repo financing documents, confidentiality agreements, bilateral regulatory agreements (such as Dodd‑Frank Protocol 2 and EMIR), and other relevant ancillary agreements arising from global regulatory changes) (“Master Agreements”) with institutional clients, including banks, investment managers, funds, corporates and multi‑national companies incorporated in Asia (ex Japan).
- Review and analyse legal documentation such as constitutions, investment manager agreements, signing authority documents to determine capacity and authority to enter into the Master Agreements.
- Review and advise on transaction‑level documentation such as term sheets and trade confirmations.
- Assist with monitoring of ongoing local and global regulatory developments (such as margin for uncleared swaps, trade reporting and clearing) including analysing impact on Master Agreements and providing internal stakeholders with legal analysis and advice on such issues.
- Develop and maintain external client and front‑office sales relationships, work closely with other members of the APAC Markets Legal Team and country counsel and coordinate with other risk management areas (such as Credit, Tax, and Collateral Management) for discussions, comments and approvals.
- Work closely with various stakeholders to ensure completion of front‑to‑end onboarding of clients with respect to the Master Agreements.
- Train and mentor junior team members on derivatives documentation negotiation, internal processes, and regulatory developments impacting Master Agreements.
- Actively participate in internal and industry working group calls and global calls such as ISDA working groups and internal Global Markets Legal calls.
- Assist with leading various project‑driven initiatives both locally and regionally.
Required Qualifications, Capabilities, and Skills
- Qualified lawyer and/or holder of law degree with at least 6 years of derivatives documentation negotiation experience.
- Experience with Markets Master Agreement negotiations for Asia‑Pacific clients.
- Good understanding of global and local regulatory changes in the derivatives area.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and organisational skills.
- High integrity and a good team player.
- Capable of working under pressure and managing internal and external client expectations; willingness and ability to provide quality service to internal and external clients and to promote and enhance the JPMorgan franchise.
- Solid quantitative skills and strong interest in business, economics and law.
- Proficiency and interest in technology and systems development.
- Organised, pro‑active, ability to handle multiple priority matters simultaneously and work efficiently within tight time‑frames, detail‑oriented and self‑sufficient.
- Experience working in a fast‑paced environment is a must.
Preferred Qualifications, Capabilities, and Skills
- Good understanding of the regulatory landscape impacting derivatives from a US bank perspective.
- Fluency in Chinese (Mandarin) is preferred, as certain legal documentation covered by APAC Markets Master Documentation is in Chinese (e.g., NAFMII agreements). Also, it helps facilitate negotiation with Chinese‑speaking counterparties.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We recognize that our people are our strength and the diverse talents they bring to our global workforce are directly linked to our success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. We also make reasonable accommodations for applicants’ and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as mental health or physical disability needs.