Legal Counsel, Alternatives

Job Description

About Columbia Threadneedle InvestmentsWhat working at Columbia Threadneedle offers....Working at Columbia Threadneedle Investments youll find the promise we make to our clients is the same one we make to our employees: Your success is our priority. Here, youll find growth and career opportunities across all of our businesses. Were intentionally built to help you succeed. Our reach is expansive with a global team of 2,000 people working together. Our expertise is diverse with more than 450 investmentprofessionals sharing global perspectives across all major asset classes and markets. Our clients have access to a broad array of investment strategies, and we have the capability to create bespoke solutions matched to clients specific requirements. Columbia Threadneedle is a people business and we recognise that our success is due to our talented people, who bring diversity of thought, complementary skills and capabilities. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace that supports the diversityof our employees and reflects our broader communities and client-base. We appreciate that work-life balance is an important factor for many when considering their next move so please discuss any flexible working requirements directly with your recruiter. Job Purpose StatementWhere youll fit in & what our team goals are... You will be responsible for providing legal support and advice to all areas and in respect of all aspects of the global alternatives business and also the global responsible investment business. Your role will involve extensive support for the private equityand infrastructure businesses located in EMEA as well as the Pyrford and Thames River Capital businesses. You role will also require support for the EMEA real estate business and potentially also for the US real estate business on an ad hoc basis. You willreport to the Global Head of Legal for Alternatives and RI. Your role will involve day to day collaboration and support to senior legal counsel covering the aforementioned business areas. Role ResponsibilitiesHow youll spend your time...

• Provide legal support and advice to private equity business in respect of structuring and launch of new funds, maintenance of existing products including any variations such as extension of fund life, underlying fund or co-investment opportunities, andqueries around marketing in line with applicable regulation and governance of the PE business. The role will include supporting the establishment and then maintenance of the Canadian private equity business and associated Canadian private equity product workingwith local counsel.
• Providing legal support and advice to the EMEA infrastructure business in respect of maintenance and expansion of the existing Columbia Threadneedle European Sustainable Infrastructure Fund ("ESIF"), CTIs Luxembourg evergreen master-feeder infrastructurefund including any variation to fund terms, underlying investment opportunities working with external counsel on structuring, the effective governance of the fund and the infrastructure business itself, and queries around marketing in line with applicableregulation.
• Providing legal support and advice to the Pyrford International and Thames River Capital businesses in respect of both segregated mandates and their investment funds (Irish UCITS, UK OEIC and UK listed investment trust) working with other SMEs within Legal.
• Working closely with and supporting the Global RI Senior Counsel, ensuring that there is required support in respect of embedding RI and associated applicable regulation such as UK SDR and TCFD and EU SFDR across all alternative asset classes given thisis a strategic priority for the firm i.e. support for product/strategies that hit the alternative/RI "sweet spot". There may other opportunities to support the Global RI Senior Counsel on RI related work that is wider than alternatives.
• Working closely with and supporting the EMEA Real Estate Head of Legal and her team to provide necessary legal support and advice to the EMEA direct real estate business and its investment product range.
• Connecting and collaborating on all legal/regulatory aspects of the alternatives business with other stakeholders across the business in particular Tax, Finance, and Compliance (with whom a one GCO approach should be adopted).

Key CapabilitiesTo be successful in this role you will have...Ability and confidence to pick up and run autonomously with less complex matters with the necessary support from senior legal counsel whilst knowing when to escalate any issue of concern. The role will require extensive collaboration with a range of internalstakeholders both across the various business areas and support functions in particular compliance and tax. The incumbent must be a true team player willing to take on board learnings that others have to offer whilst sharing their own learnings. Desired CapabilitiesIf you also had this, it would be great...A qualified lawyer (1 - 3 years PQE). Some experience with alternatives as an asset class would be preferable although it is by no means essential. It is anticipated that there will be a learning curve depending on the background of the candidate. However,necessary training will be provided both on legal and soft skills either in-house or using preferred external counsel programs and there will be lots of opportunities to learn and develop from the other senior lawyers in the team in fast-paced and growingareas of the business.