At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead legal aspects of funding and investment transactions, ensuring efficient deal execution.
- Company: Dynamic international finance group with an entrepreneurial spirit.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, and significant career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy substantial autonomy and direct exposure to senior decision-makers.
- Why this job: Become a key player in a fast-paced environment, influencing high-value transactions.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with strong banking and finance experience.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 125000 £ per year.
An ambitious and entrepreneurial international finance group is seeking to appoint two high-calibre, Senior Legal Counsel / Directors to support its expanding lending, structured finance, and investment activities across the UK and International markets (primarily The Americas).
The group's activities span both sides of the funding equation – securing capital from private investors, institutions, and funding partners, whilst deploying that capital through bespoke lending, project finance, and structured funding solutions. As such, the business is interested in lawyers whose experience sits across either or both disciplines.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a commercially minded finance lawyer who wants to move beyond the limitations of traditional private practice or institutional in-house environments and play a genuinely influential role inside a young, high-growth, transaction-led business.
The organisation operates across bespoke commercial lending, structured finance, project finance, investment transactions, and cross-border funding solutions. Transactions range from SME and mid-market lending through to large-scale international funding arrangements involving complex security structures, multi-jurisdiction matters, and sophisticated commercial negotiations.
The business has developed a strong reputation for flexibility, responsiveness, and the ability to structure transactions that fall outside the appetite of conventional lenders. As transaction volumes and deal complexity continue to increase, the group is now seeking to build significant internal legal capability and reduce reliance on external advisers.
This role sits directly alongside senior leadership and at the centre of live commercial activity. It is not a passive legal support position removed from decision-making. The successful individual will become deeply involved in the structuring, negotiation, risk management, and execution of complex domestic and international transactions.
For the right person, this offers the opportunity to become a key strategic figure inside a growing international finance platform while enjoying substantial autonomy, visibility, and influence.
The Opportunity
The successful candidate will lead and manage the legal aspects of a broad range of funding and investment transactions, helping the business execute deals more efficiently while maintaining strong legal and commercial discipline.
You will work closely with directors, lenders, borrowers, counterparties, investors, and external legal advisers across a wide variety of transaction types and jurisdictions. The environment is entrepreneurial, fast-moving, and commercially driven. This role will suit someone who enjoys operating close to decision-making, taking ownership of transactions, and balancing technical legal capability with practical commercial judgement.
The business is particularly interested in individuals capable of helping institutionalise and professionalise internal legal capability while remaining commercially agile and execution-focused.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead legal involvement across capital raising, investment transactions, commercial lending, and structured finance
- Draft, negotiate, and review: facility agreements, debentures, guarantees, security documentation, shareholder agreements, participation agreements, intercreditor arrangements, investment and transaction documentation
- Advise on legal structuring, transaction risk, enforceability, and commercial protection
- Support UK and international funding transactions across multiple jurisdictions
- Manage and coordinate external counsel where specialist jurisdictional advice is required
- Assist with transaction execution and completion processes
- Work closely with commercial and transaction teams throughout deal lifecycles
- Help reduce dependency on external law firms and improve internal transaction efficiency
- Contribute to governance, legal process improvement, and scalable operational infrastructure
Candidate Profile
Candidate profile and chemistry fit is critical for these pivotal roles as technical performance. This is a fast-paced, innovative, highly-entrepreneurial environment; attitude is as important as aptitude. The person is everything. The appointees will be instrumental in driving the future of this business, delivery objectives and embracing the culture of this business; the gravity of success is all about having the right attitude, underpinned with demonstrable experience.
Suitable candidates will already be high achieving solicitors within commercial finance with substantial exposure to:
- Banking & Finance
- Structured Finance
- Corporate Lending
- Real Estate Finance
- Investment Funds
- Private Capital & Investor Transactions
- Capital Raising & Fund Formation
- Private Credit
- International Commercial Transactions
Candidates may currently sit within:
- City or national law firms
- Alternative lenders
- Investment managers or fund platforms
- Debt funds
- Private credit platforms
- Family offices
- Specialist finance businesses
- Sophisticated in-house finance environments
However, technical capability alone will not be sufficient. The successful individual must also be:
- Highly commercial
- Pragmatic
- Solutions-oriented
- Comfortable operating autonomously
- Capable of thriving within an entrepreneurial business environment
This is not an organisation driven by bureaucracy or excessive process. It requires an individual capable of making sound decisions, operating with confidence, and helping move transactions forward intelligently and efficiently.
Experience Required
- Qualified Solicitor
- Strong experience within banking & finance, structured finance, capital raising, investment transactions, or commercial lending transactions
- Exposure to secured lending and complex transaction documentation
- International or cross-border transaction experience advantageous
- Strong commercial awareness and negotiation capability
- Ability to operate effectively within a fast-moving transaction environment
Why apply?
This opportunity offers significantly more breadth, influence, and commercial exposure than many traditional legal roles. Rather than operating within narrow departmental silos, the successful candidate will become a central figure within a growing international finance platform, working on complex, high-value, and often unconventional transactions.
The business offers: substantial autonomy, direct exposure to senior decision-makers, complex and intellectually engaging transactions, entrepreneurial culture, and genuine long-term growth potential.
For lawyers seeking a move away from rigid institutional structures and towards a commercially impactful role with real influence, this represents a rare career opportunity.
Senior Legal Counsel in Manchester employer: GARY CHAPLIN LTD
Join an ambitious international finance group in Manchester, where you will play a pivotal role as Senior Legal Counsel, directly influencing high-value transactions and strategic decisions. The company fosters an entrepreneurial culture that values autonomy and innovation, offering substantial opportunities for professional growth and exposure to senior leadership. With a focus on complex, bespoke financial solutions, this is an exceptional environment for lawyers looking to make a meaningful impact beyond traditional legal roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Counsel in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the finance and legal sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent deals. Understand their approach to structured finance and lending. This will not only impress your interviewers but also help you tailor your answers to show how you can add value to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your commercial awareness! In interviews, highlight your experience with complex transactions and how you've navigated challenges in the past. This is key for a role that demands both legal expertise and practical business judgement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals who can thrive in an entrepreneurial environment. Your next big opportunity could be just a click away!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Senior Legal Counsel role. Highlight your expertise in banking, finance, and structured transactions to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your passion for the role and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our entrepreneurial environment. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen:We’re looking for someone who can balance legal expertise with commercial judgement. In your application, give examples of how you've navigated complex transactions and made impactful decisions in fast-paced environments.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at GARY CHAPLIN LTD
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of banking and finance law, especially around structured finance and investment transactions. Be ready to discuss specific cases or experiences that highlight your expertise in these areas.
✨Show Your Commercial Mindset
This role is all about being commercially savvy. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to balance legal considerations with practical business needs. Think about how you've contributed to deal structuring or risk management in past roles.
✨Be Ready for Complex Scenarios
Expect questions that test your problem-solving skills in complex transaction environments. Practice articulating how you've navigated multi-jurisdictional matters or dealt with intricate security structures in previous positions.
✨Cultural Fit Matters
The company values attitude as much as aptitude. Be yourself and show enthusiasm for working in an entrepreneurial environment. Share your experiences that reflect your adaptability and ability to thrive in fast-paced settings.
