Role Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a seasoned employment lawyer to join a dynamic and expanding financial institution. The ideal candidate will bring substantial in-house experience within a fast-paced financial services environment—preferably investment banking—or experience within a leading law firm with a focus on advising a financial institution client-base and some prior financial services in-house experience.

This role demands a confident legal professional with strong international exposure. Responsibilities include managing (directly and with support of external counsel) legal and HR issues arising in EMEA and APAC jurisdictions. Candidates must have experience in at least one of these jurisdictions.

The successful candidate will be expected to manage employment-related legal and HR matters both independently and in collaboration with external counsel.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice on employment matters across EMEA and APAC, including regulatory remuneration, disciplinary and grievance procedures, performance management, and dispute resolution.
• Draft, review, and negotiate employment contracts, policies, and internal procedures.
• Oversee employment litigation and pre-litigation matters.
• Advise on recruitment, terminations, and employee transitions.
• Support privacy and data protection issues related to employees.
• Deliver training sessions to HR and control functions on employment law topics.
• Contribute to the development and dissemination of legal know-how across the organisation.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven track record advising on employment law within regulated financial institutions.
• Familiarity with regulatory remuneration frameworks such as MIFIDPRU (UK) or equivalent regimes in Germany.
• Understanding of the Senior Managers & Certification Regime.
• Ability to provide clear, concise, and commercially focused legal guidance to senior stakeholders.
• Experience working with external counsel on cross-border employment matters.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities across business units.
• Collaborative mindset and experience working closely with HR, compliance, and senior leadership.
• Comfortable presenting legal insights at senior management and board-level meetings.