Junior Lawyer

About SEI Investments (Europe) Limited (SEI) SEI’s operation in London is primarily concerned with two aspects of its global business: Providing innovative platform services to clients in the UK, including investment processing and custody. Management and distribution of its investment fund range, distributing to retail investors through third‑party distribution channels and to institutional investors as part of a wider advice and implementation offering. The SEI Legal team advises on regulatory matters and supports the negotiation and drafting of a wide range of commercial, client and vendor agreements. The team works closely with colleagues across SEI’s global Legal and Compliance functions and engages external counsel where appropriate.

Key Objectives of the Role

This role is suited to a qualified solicitor with up to 12–18 months’ post‑qualification experience who is seeking to develop a broad in‑house skillset within financial services. The Lawyer will support SEI Legal team in providing legal advice to SEI’s UK business, with a primary focus on transactional and commercial legal work, alongside exposure to regulatory and legal matters relevant to the business. The role is intended as a development position for a junior lawyer, with close supervision, support from senior lawyers and opportunities to build experience and confidence over time. The role offers regular interaction with internal stakeholders and, with experience, exposure to clients, third‑party vendors within an evolving and innovative sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing legal support to SEI, including assisting senior lawyers on the negotiation and renegotiation of commercial and outsourcing agreements with clients and vendors.
• Drafting and negotiating a range of financial services agreements, under appropriate supervision, including custody, distribution, dealing and terms of business agreements.
• Assisting with the drafting and negotiation of fund distribution agreements with third‑party fund managers and distributors for the distribution of third‑party funds on SEI’s Global Wealth Platform.
• Identifying legal and regulatory issues and escalating matters appropriately to the UK General Counsel or senior lawyers within the team, as appropriate.
• Working collaboratively with members of SEI’s Legal and Compliance teams in London and globally, as well as with external counsel and other business stakeholders across the SEI group.
• Supporting other legal matters impacting SEI’s UK activities, as required.

Ongoing Responsibilities

• Developing and maintaining a basic working knowledge, with guidance, of relevant legal and regulatory developments affecting financial services and fintech, including FCA rules relating to outsourcing, client assets, data protection and conflicts of interest.
• Ensuring internal legal systems and data reference points are maintained accurately and consistently.
• Embedding risk awareness into day‑to‑day legal advice and decision‑making, in line with SEI’s policies and procedures.
• Completing all required risk management and compliance training and adhering to FCA requirements.
• Actively engaging in learning, training and development opportunities within the Legal and Compliance teams.

Position Requirements

• Qualified solicitor with up to 12–18 months’ post‑qualification experience, ideally within financial services.
• Experience in corporate and/or commercial matters, gained in private practice or within an in‑house legal department, would be beneficial.
• Exposure to reviewing or assisting with transactional and commercial documentation relating to a range of financial services agreements would be advantageous but not essential.
• An interest in developing knowledge of the FCA Handbook, including key rules governing outsourcing and client money.

Key Competencies

• Good drafting skills with strong attention to detail, with a willingness to learn and improve through feedback.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to ask questions and seek clarification when needed.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage tasks and deadlines.
• A thoughtful and pragmatic approach, with awareness of risk and when to expand issues.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative legal team and to seek guidance when appropriate.
• Enthusiasm for learning, developing new skills and building an in‑house legal career within financial services.

SEI is an Equal Opportunities Employer.