Banking Legal Counsel - Vice President

This is a wide-ranging role for a commercially minded banking lawyer, with responsibility for providing legal advice under English law for the Japanese corporate client business of Mizuho Bank Ltd., London Branch, Mizuho International plc and Mizuho Bank Europe N.V. ("MBE") and their respective branches and subsidiaries within the EMEA region.

Duties And Responsibilities

• The role includes providing legal support on bilateral and syndicated loans, guarantees and a wide range of corporate and transaction banking products offered to Japanese corporates (including not just LMA based lending i.e. more complex bespoke loan products e.g. loans with structured interest rates), while working closely with front office, credit, risk and operations teams.
• Provide legal support to Loan Capital Markets (Distribution) desk for credit risk insurance business.
• Back-up support / coverage for Trade Finance matters of the Japanese client business including facilities under which different instruments can be issued e.g. guarantees, letters of credit or bonds etc; deposits, account documentation, cash management.
• Provide legal support to front office and MBE middle office for an intra-group capital risk transfer scheme for loans from time to time.
• Advise and assist Head Office in Tokyo and other Mizuho group entities on general English law matters from time to time.

Additional Responsibilities

• Ensure any external counsel required to support on any transactions are appropriately instructed and supervised.
• Ensure appropriate records are maintained for the Legal Department, including the data bases, directories and documentation management necessary to record transactions / matters worked on.
• Support their manager to ensure know-how, policies, procedures and playbooks are maintained and reviewed at least annually and in response to any material developments.

Qualifications, Skills, And Experience

• Qualified solicitor of at least 3-4 years’ PQE, with experience gained through an international bank, a law firm with a banking practice or a combination of the two.
• Strong technical expertise in corporate banking law and regulation, including strong understanding of LMA and other relevant documentation frameworks.
• Strong client service orientation.
• Great organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrable ability to innovate, support change and problem solve.
• Demonstrable commercial judgment, balancing commercial objectives and legal risk.
• Ability to work independently, while recognising where escalation is appropriate.
• Knowledge of banking and financial services is an advantage.
• High attention to detail.
• Cultural awareness and ability to work effectively with colleagues across different jurisdictions.
• Collaborative nature to contribute to a successful team and departmental performance, fostering the spirit of teamwork and cohesiveness.

What Mizuho Can Offer You

Here at Mizuho, there are fantastic progression opportunities and clear paths to promotion. We will give you ample opportunity to affect change and to help grow our business. In addition to the great opportunity outlined above we are also currently able to offer:

• Competitive starting salary, plus discretionary bonus.
• Non-contributory pension.
• 27 days’ annual leave.
• Core working hours.
• Hybrid working - office and home based.
• Virtual GP.
• Wellbeing benefits, including Mental Health Allies and First Aiders.

At Mizuho, we embrace flexible ways of working when the role permits. We offer different working arrangements like part-time, job-sharing and hybrid (office and home) working. Our purpose-led culture and global infrastructure help us connect, collaborate, and work together in agile ways to meet all our business needs. At Mizuho we are committed to supporting equality, diversity and equality, and seek to create a workplace that is fully inclusive. We welcome applications from all sections of the community that we operate in and from all ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, beliefs, gender identities and disabilities. If you require more information about our equal opportunities policy or wish to discuss any accessibility requirements or reasonable adjustments please contact the recruitment team – recruitment@mizuhoemea.com and we will be happy to help.