At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead employee incentives projects, advising companies on share plans and executive remuneration.
- Company: Join Stephenson Harwood, a prestigious international law firm with a focus on positive partnerships.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, health care, gym discounts, and volunteering opportunities.
- Why this job: Make your mark in a supportive team with clear career progression and impactful work.
- Qualifications: Strong background in UK taxation of employment-related securities and corporate transactions required.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available; diverse talent encouraged to apply.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Managing Associate (Employee incentives)
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What We Will Offer
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We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.
You Can Expect
- A competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
- Life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family
- A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers
- Tech, cycle and electric car schemes
- The opportunity to support the firm\’s charity through volunteering leave
- A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when our people experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.
- Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.
Team Structure
This senior role is in the employee incentives group, which sits within the corporate tax team.
The employee incentives group currently comprises 3 lawyers: Nicholas Stretch, who recognised as a leading individual in both Chambers and Legal 500 and well-known in the employee incentives space as a recent ex-Chairman of Share Plan Lawyers, the body for lawyers in this area, and a mid-level associate (Desiree de Lima). The group will also be adding a junior associate. Desiree has recently returned to full-time work after maternity leave when her worked was covered by two consultants, but we have identified the need to recruit a managing associate in this area while likely keeping access to the consultants as well. The existing volume of work and opportunities for further work both from within the rest of the firm and externally have meant that we have the opportunity to grow.
The corporate tax team, including the employee incentives group, currently comprises 4 partners and 6 associates, together with one or two trainees depending on the seat rotation.
Main Responsibilities
This role involves working across a broad spectrum of employee incentives and executive remuneration issues providing, advice to both public and private companies on share plans, management incentives, bonus arrangements and related matters. Areas of expertise include:
Transactional Support
- Working closely with corporate colleagues on transactions for both listed and private (including private equity) companies. This typically involves applying existing incentive arrangements as part of the transaction and may also include replacement incentives. We also advise companies that are preparing to float on new incentive arrangements that can be put in place at IPO.
Share plans
- Outside transactions, designing and implementing tax-advantaged and non-tax-advantaged share plans, predominantly enterprise management incentive (EMI) options and growth share plans, as well as (for quoted companies) long-term incentive plans and all-employee arrangements.
Bonus arrangements
- Advising clients on the design of and drafting of cash bonus plans, including phantom equity (particularly for Dubai clients).
Corporate Governance And Company Law Issues
- We advise listed companies on the appropriate corporate governance framework and generally, on ongoing compliance requirements, and relevant company law issues.
Employee trusts
- Setting up, terminating and liaising with employee trusts – we also regularly act for employee trusts on their own account work.
Appointments and terminations
- Representing both employers and senior management on equity awards on appointments and a termination of employment. We also deal with leaver shares.
Employment tax
- Advising on all aspects of the tax regime for employment–related securities and on PAYE and NIC issues generally, particularly on termination of employment, IR35 and relevant cross-border issues.
Financial services Remuneration Codes
- Advising a number of banks and asset managers on compliance with the various regimes in place and recent changes.
The ideal candidate will have a strong grounding in the UK taxation of employment-related securities well as having a sound knowledge of how corporate transactions are structured both for quoted and private companies. The candidate should have gained broad experience of running the share plan aspects of corporate transactions such that they can run with the relevant employee share plan documentation and timetable without close supervision, and be confident in supervising junior and trainee lawyers and working directly with the corporate department themselves. Familiarity with governance issues for quoted companies, employment tax and financial services regulatory issues would be welcome but not essential.
This is a great opportunity for an ambitious lawyer who already has strong incentives experience and who wants to join and make their mark at this highly regarded employee incentives practice of a prestigious international law firm. In summary, this role offers a range of high quality work within a universally recognised warm environment both in the firm as a whole and in the team, which prides itself on its collegiate atmosphere. There are clear opportunities for career progression.
- Considering technical issues and giving clients clear advice in the correct commercial context
- Clear and concise drafting of documentation
- Independent liaison with clients
- Developing own informal internal and external network of contacts, and within the employee share plan world
- Building excellent working relationships with clients and peers within SH
- Gaining the confidence of members of the team when supervising them
- Attending business development and profile-raising events (including client seminars, graduate recruitment activities)
Attributes/Skills Required
- Enthusiasm and proven experience in deals and M&A activity as well as employee share plans
- Has a deep knowledge of relevant tax and share plan practice, the issues clients commonly face, and solutions available
- A resilient self-starter, able to work alone when relevant and within a small team
- Works with junior associates and trainees by being approachable and mentoring within the team and department
- Confidently deputises during partner holidays
- Strong drafting skills, with impact, accuracy and attention to detail
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, comfortable interacting with colleagues, clients and (including overseas lawyers) in the most effective way
- Organised and able to work to strict deadlines with the ability to prioritise realistically
- Good housekeeping/file management practices; good billing practice
- Ambitious, keen to work in a developing department, with an ability to pitch and market, and desire to increase the practice
- Strong academic and professional qualifications
This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm\’s strategy and business needs.
About The Firm
Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm, and we\’re committed to creating \’positive partnerships\’ with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions and individuals, building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex andever-changing world.
Our focus is on five core sectors: Energy Transition, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology, and Transportation and Trade.
With more than 1,400 people, including 210+ partners, across eight offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise. We have also forged close ties with high quality law firms around the world, blending local knowledge with global savvy for clients in over 100 countries.
We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.
Our Brand Strengths
- GO FAR, GO TOGETHER
- EXPERTS IN MORE THAN LAW
- CAN DO PERSONALITIES
- ALWAYS READY
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Managing Associate (Employee incentives) employer: Stephenson Harwood LLP
Contact Detail:
Stephenson Harwood LLP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Managing Associate (Employee incentives)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the employee incentives and corporate tax sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or seminars where you can meet potential colleagues and learn more about the latest trends and challenges in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific employee share plans and incentive structures that are prevalent in the UK market. Understanding these will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with current employees of the firm on platforms like LinkedIn. This can provide you with insider knowledge about the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss recent developments in employment tax and corporate governance. Being able to articulate your understanding of these areas will show your expertise and readiness for the challenges of the Managing Associate role.
We think you need these skills to ace Managing Associate (Employee incentives)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in employee incentives and corporate tax. Use specific examples that demonstrate your expertise in share plans, management incentives, and related areas.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your enthusiasm for the role and the firm. Discuss why you are a good fit for the Managing Associate position and how your background aligns with their needs, particularly in employee incentives.
Showcase Your Skills: Emphasise your strong drafting skills and ability to communicate effectively. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed projects or worked with clients in the past, especially in relation to employee share plans.
Highlight Your Ambition: Convey your ambition and desire for career progression within the firm. Mention any relevant professional qualifications and your commitment to continuous learning in the field of employee incentives and corporate governance.
How to prepare for a job interview at Stephenson Harwood LLP
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of employee incentives, share plans, and the relevant tax implications. Brush up on your knowledge of UK taxation of employment-related securities and be ready to discuss how corporate transactions are structured.
✨Show Your Enthusiasm
Demonstrate your passion for the role and the firm. Talk about why you're excited about working in employee incentives and how you can contribute to the team's success. A positive attitude can go a long way!
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about specific scenarios related to employee incentives and corporate governance. Think through potential challenges and how you would address them, showcasing your problem-solving skills and commercial awareness.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about the team and the firm's culture, and be personable. This will help you stand out as a candidate who fits well within their collaborative environment.