Legal, Asset Management Separate Accounts, Executive Director, London

The EMEA Separate Accounts Legal team forms part of Asset Management Public Legal and provides support to GSAM’s EMEA institutional and separate account business.  The business provides investment services to GSAM’s largest EMEA clients (including pension funds, insurance companies, wealth managers and sovereign wealth funds) across all asset classes, including Multi-Asset and Alternatives.  We are looking for a lawyer, to be based in London, capable of advising on complex investment management and advisory arrangements, negotiating client documentation, managing legal risk and partnering closely with investment, client coverage, compliance and product teams. Lawyers in the team act as lead counsel on high-value institutional mandates and bespoke client solutions, including GSAM’s Outsourced CIO and fiduciary management businesses.

YOUR IMPACT

Key Responsibilities

Transactional and Documentation Support

• Lead legal engagement for investment management and advisory arrangements from RFP stage to completion.

• Advise on strategic client projects and product initiatives.

• Draft, review and negotiate bespoke contractual provisions relating to investment contracts, reporting, liability, delegation, outsourcing and governance matters.

• Maintain and enhance legal templates and negotiation playbooks.

Regulatory and Legal Advisory

• Provide legal and regulatory advice on UK and EU asset management regulations.

• Analyse local market requirements and allocation of regulatory responsibilities among clients, managers, delegates and service providers.

• Support interpretation of contractual obligations and legal risk arising from operational events, client issues and regulatory developments.

Project Management and Strategic Initiatives

• Manage multiple complex matters simultaneously across jurisdictions.

• Coordinate with teams across the firm to deliver legal support for transactions and other strategic business initiatives.

• Support process improvement and technology initiatives designed to improve efficiency, including the creation of bespoke AI review and drafting tools.

• Supervise and coordinate work performed by external counsel.

Risk Management

• Identify and assess legal, regulatory and reputational risks associated with investment management activities.

• Escalate material legal issues appropriately and provide recommended mitigation strategies.

• Engage with internal stakeholders on evolving regulatory requirements affecting UK and EU asset managers.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• At least 4 years’ post-qualification experience.  Private practice training and experience in asset management, investment funds or another finance-focused practice area is preferred.
• Familiarity with UK and EU legal and regulatory framework governing financial institutions.
• Strong drafting, analytical and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to operate independently while managing a substantial and varied workload.