Senior Associate

An excellent opportunity has arisen for diligent and highly motivated individuals to join the Finance team of Olaniwun Ajayi (UK) LLP.

About the Firm

Olaniwun Ajayi (UK) LLP is the London-based international arm of Olaniwun Ajayi, one of Africa’s leading full-service law firms and the only top-10 African law firm to have an SRA-regulated subsidiary in the UK.

The UK practice advises leading international financial institutions (including development finance institutions), investment funds, governments, corporates and other international organisations on complex English law cross-border transactions, with a particular focus on investments and other opportunities in Africa and other emerging markets.

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented finance lawyer to join an award-winning, growing international finance practice, work on high-value, sophisticated transactions and take significant responsibility for matters and client relationships.

We are looking for a technically strong and commercially minded finance lawyer who is comfortable taking ownership of transactions and working directly with clients.

Role and Responsibilities

As a Senior Associate in our Finance team, you will be responsible for:

• Leading complex and high-value transactions, including private credit, project finance, leveraged and acquisition finance, structured finance, debt capital markets and related transactions.




• Advising regional and international financial institutions (including development finance institutions), investment funds, governments and governmental agencies, project sponsors, corporates and other international organisations on a broad range of financing transactions across Africa and other emerging markets.




• Leading negotiations with counterparties and their advisers, identifying key legal and commercial issues and developing solutions that achieve the client’s objectives.




• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating term sheets, facility agreements, intercreditor agreements, security documents and other financing and transaction documentation.




• Managing matters with a high degree of autonomy and ensuring transactions progress efficiently to completion.




• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with clients and taking an active role in understanding and anticipating their legal and commercial requirements.




• Supporting partners on business development initiatives, including client relationship development, pitches, proposals and market-facing activities.




• Providing technical guidance and support to junior lawyers and contributing to the development of legal expertise within the team.




• Keeping up to date with legal and market developments and sharing knowledge and insights with colleagues and clients.

Candidate Profile

A successful candidate will have:

• At least 5 years’ post-qualification experience, with strong experience in banking and finance, project finance, debt capital markets or a related practice area, gained in the UK or an overseas affiliate of an international law firm.




• Qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales, with substantial relevant English law transactional experience.




• Experience working on high-value and/or complex transactions, with a significant level of responsibility for matters and client relationships.




• Excellent technical drafting and negotiation skills, with a strong understanding of financing structures and documentation.




• The ability to manage transactions independently, exercise sound commercial judgment and work effectively under pressure.




• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.




• A genuine interest in cross-border transactions, particularly in emerging and frontier markets.




• The ability and desire to develop expertise across a range of finance practice areas.




• A strong academic background.




• A proactive and entrepreneurial approach, with an interest in contributing to business development and the continued growth of the firm’s international practice.




• French language skills are highly desirable.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to work within a high-performance team on a range of complex, impactful transactions involving leading financial institutions, investment funds, DFIs, governments and corporates.




• The opportunity to work on transactions across a very wide array of jurisdictions in Africa and beyond.




• Significant responsibility and direct client exposure within a growing specialist international practice.




• The opportunity to develop expertise across a broad range of financing disciplines.




• A collaborative and entrepreneurial working environment.




• Competitive salary and benefits package.

Contract Type

• Permanent Senior Associate: full time, permanent position (London based).




• Fixed Term Senior Associate: full time, fixed-term position (9 – 12 months) (London or overseas-based).