Director, Legal & Trading Documentation

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) seeks a Senior Legal Counsel to support derivatives and trading documentation in Asia Pacific, reporting to Toronto and local leadership in Hong Kong.

You will negotiate ISDA Master Agreements, collateral and related documents, provide transactional and regulatory guidance, and collaborate across regional teams to safeguard the bank's interests.

Qualifications

• LL.B. degree and 5–10 years post-qualification experience in trading/derivative documentation.
• Experience with regulatory documentation and credit documentation is a plus.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and finalize capital markets documentation including ISDA Master Agreements and collateral docs.
• Provide transactional support for hedging facilities in Asia Pacific.
• Advise on regulatory/documentation standards and risk management.

Skills

Business Contracts

Business Transactions

Contract Negotiations

Critical Thinking

Decision Making

Legal Consulting

Litigation

Strategic Advice

Education

LL.B. degree

Job description

Reports to the Managing Counsel & General Manager, Derivatives and Trading Documentation in Toronto, and locally to the Executive Director and Head of Legal, Asia Pacific

Transactional Support

Responsible for the negotiation and execution of documentation for capital markets products including ISDA Master Agreements, Repurchase and Securities Lending Agreements and collateral agreements.

Provide negotiation and transactional support for hedging facilities connected to syndicated project finance transactions and other commercial agreements for Corporate Banking and other business lines in Asia.

Communication and implementation of CIBC’s documentation policies and procedures with respect to products in accordance with the standards set forth by the Bank and various regulatory and industry bodies and to manage the consistency of application.

Participate as a member advocating and safeguarding the legal interests and reputation of CIBC on deal committees to approve transactions and commitments.

Value Added Partner

Provide legal advice in the early stages of business management’s strategy development and key decisions, and help to ensure proper implementation of those plans, consistent with legal and regulatory objectives.

Provide legal advice and related governance to support CIBC’s Capital Markets business in Asia, and oversight over legal and regulatory changes impacting capital markets trading activities in the Asia Pacific Region.

Identify legal risks, and significant incidents of non-compliance, and elevate these to global Legal team and Asia senior management as appropriate, and ensuring such risks are properly understood by relevant stakeholders, and where possible, propose appropriate risk mitigation.

Operational/Business Effectiveness

Ensure that solutions are tailored to meet operational as well as regulatory requirements. Require ongoing coordination among multiple functional groups and executive management and cross-border deals committees and a solid working knowledge of the financial, operational and technology specifications supporting a product or service.

Cross-functional Relationships

Frequent contact with business and regional management to identify and discuss business issues and needs and to provide consistent and time-sensitive advice, including interaction with senior management in Legal Department, trading room personnel, relationship managers and Risk Management, Compliance and Business Management.

Regular contact with industry peers, both individually and through industry associations, to discuss emerging concepts, practices and experiences and to strategize on approaches to proposed regulatory actions or change practices.

Regular contact with local counsel throughout the regions to ensure clear advice, manage costs and keep abreast of legal and regulatory reforms regionally.

Authorities / Decisions

Operate within established CIBC organisational framework. Escalate issues where appropriate to Managing, Counsel, Head of Legal and/or relevant Heads of business.

Managing the conflicting objectives and priorities of different parties to transactions (e.g., management, traders acting for clients, etc.).

Ensuring the maintenance of the highest standards, subject to the close scrutiny of internal auditors, external auditors, regulators, etc.

Exposure to a wide range of banking and financial product types

Knowledge and Skills

LL.B. degree and 5 to 10 years of post qualification experience. Prior experience in trading and derivative documentation and negotiation is a requirement. Experience with loan-linked derivatives and credit documentation would be an asset. Experience with regulatory documentation (Initial Margin, Self-disclosure Letters, RMS requirements) is preferred and would also be an asset. The aptitude and ability to learn and develop knowledge and skills in loans and other banking and financial products must be demonstrated.

A sufficient working knowledge of laws and regulations relevant to banks and financial institutions.

Solid understanding of credit and operational risk issues, as they relate to capital markets and risk management.

Excellent communication and interpersonal/interactive skills. Able to make technical presentations to non-specialists, and work very closely with senior management.

Proven, effective negotiation skills. Good ability to build effective working relationships with clients and staff at all levels of the organization.

Excellent organizational and time management skills to deal with multiple and sometimes conflicting requirements and time constraints. Excellent adaptability and flexibility to deal with a rapidly changing environment.

Ability to learn different legal and regulatory requirements in the Asia Pacific Region that is relevant for different business and product lines and to provide effective solutions to resolve issues.

Working Conditions

Operates within a normal office environment.

Working within a matrix of reporting lines and client relationships.

What you need to know

CIBC is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all team members and clients feel like they belong. We seek applicants with a wide range of abilities and we provide an accessible candidate experience. If you need accommodation, please contact @cibc.com

You need to be legally eligible to work at the location(s) specified above and, where applicable, must have a valid work or study permit

Employment Type

Regular

Weekly Hours

37.5

Skills

Business Contracts, Business Transactions, Contract Negotiations, Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Legal Consulting, Litigation, Strategic Advice