Corporate Legal Asset and Portfolio Fund Management Lawyer

Employer: DWS Group

Title: Corporate Legal Asset and Portfolio Fund Management professional

Location: London

About DWS:

Today, markets face a whole new set of pressures – but also a whole lot of opportunity too. Opportunity to innovate differently. Opportunity to invest responsibly. And opportunity to make change.

Join us at DWS, and you can be part of an industry-leading firm with a global presence. You can lead ambitious opportunities and shape the future of investing. You can support our clients, local communities, and the environment.

We’re looking for creative thinkers and innovators to join us as the world continues to transform. As whole markets change, one thing remains clear; our people always work together to capture the opportunities of tomorrow. That’s why we are ‘Investors for a new now’.

As investors on behalf of our clients, it is our role to find investment solutions. Ensuring the best possible foundation for our clients’ financial future. And in return, we’ll give you the support and platform to develop new skills, make an impact and work alongside some of the industry’s greatest thought leaders. This is your chance to achieve your goals and lead an extraordinary career.

This is your chance to invest in your future.

Team / division overview:

This role will sit in the DWS Private Equity Infrastructure business (“DWS Infrastructure”), which acquires and manages Equity investments in businesses that provide essential Infrastructure services across the transportation, energy, digital and social infrastructure sectors.

With investment teams located in Europe, the business has a strong European footprint and is focused on managing infrastructure portfolios that can meet the needs of institutional investors and private clients worldwide. The division has funds under management of c.€24.4 billion.

DWS Infrastructure is looking for a London-based corporate qualified lawyer to join the team on a permanent basis to support the asset management activities of the DWS Infrastructure business. The candidate will support the full lifecycle of asset management for DWS Infrastructure’s portfolio companies.

Role Details:

As a Corporate Legal Asset and Portfolio Fund Management professional you will be providing support to the investment and asset management teams on a variety of legal aspects of asset management and portfolio company related matters. We currently have c. 17 assets under management, with that number growing as we continue to deploy capital:

• Providing support for our portfolio companies on key commercial contract negotiations eg. project agreements, standard form services or customer agreements including liaising with management teams and legal teams in our portfolio companies
• Providing support on the recruitment process for management team members including review and negotiation of service contracts and employment arrangements, engagement letters with recruiters and appointment of non-executive directors
• Liaising with external counsel on the implementation of management incentive plans including amendments to shareholders agreements, articles of association, share issuances and capitalisation of funding
• Assisting with execution of arrangements for new joiners and leavers to management incentive plans
• Assisting with corporate governance matters for our portfolio companies including liaising with outsourced corporate service providers
• Attending Investment Committee meetings and preparing records of the meetings
• Providing a first point of contact for and managing the relationship with our outsourced service providers and the investment team on negotiations of NDAs, release letters and engagement letters and managing the relationship

We are looking for:

• At least 4 years PQE experience at a national or international law firm of repute with experience in general corporate and/or commercial contract law matters
• Experience working with infrastructure fund clients preferred, but not essential
• In-house experience preferred (including secondments), but not essential
• Ability to manage and progress workstreams independently, whilst also working within a team environment
• Strong workload management and prioritization skills
• Good communication skills, including ability to distil complex legal matters for the communication and discussion with the investment team members
• Qualified in England and Wales; dual qualification in any European civil law jurisdiction would be beneficial, but not essential
• Language requirements: English (fluent); proficiency in any other European language would also be beneficial

What we’ll offer you:

At DWS we’re serious about diversity, equity and creating an inclusive culture where colleagues can be themselves and it’s important to us that you enjoy coming to work – feeling healthy, happy and rewarded. At DWS, you’ll have access to a range of benefits which you can choose from to create a personalised plan unique to your lifestyle. Whether you’re interested in healthcare, company perks, or are thinking about your retirement plan, there’s something for everyone.

Some of our core benefits:

• 30 days’ holiday + bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional days
• A non-contributory pension scheme, up to 10%
• Physical and Mental Health Well-Being benefits including (but not limited to) Private Medical Cover, a complimentary GP service and the support of Mental Health First Aiders
• Family friendly benefits including generous parental leave packages (supporting all variations of family set-ups), to healthcare plans and travel insurance
• The opportunity to support our CSR strategy which is focused on combatting climate change and achieving greater social justice. You can make donations to our partner organisations or take part in corporate volunteering opportunities in your local communities by providing on hand support.

If you require any adjustments or changes to be made to the interview process for any reason including, or related to a disability or long-term health condition, then please contact your recruiter and let them know what assistance you may need. Examples of adjustments include providing a change to the format of the interview, or providing assistance when at the DWS office. This will not affect your application and your recruitment team will discuss options with you.

Our commitment to equal employment opportunity

Our values define the working environment we strive to create – diverse, supportive and welcoming of different views. We embrace a culture reflecting a variety of perspectives, insights and backgrounds to drive innovation. We build talented and diverse teams to drive business results and encourage our people to develop to their full potential. Talk to us about flexible work arrangements and other initiatives we offer.

We promote good working relationships and encourage high standards of conduct and work performance. DWS is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from talented people from all cultures, countries, races, genders, sexual orientations, disabilities, beliefs and generations. We are committed to providing a working environment free from harassment, discrimination and retaliation.