Legal Counsel - Corporate and Derivatives Lawyer

Since launching in 1989, CMC Markets has become one of the world's leading online CFD and financial spread betting providers, with nearly 66.8 million trades executed annually across Europe, Asia Pacific and North America.

CMC Markets’ success is founded on its ability to deliver a wide range of trading products to customers, including equities, indices, currencies and commodities. CMC Markets has pioneered the development of online trading in markets around the world and has offices in a number of countries.

The global Legal Team currently consists of Group Heads of Legal, Senior Legal Counsel lawyers, Legal Counsel lawyers and Paralegals.

Role and Responsibilities:

General:

• Assisting the Head of Legal - UK, Senior Legal Counsel and the wider Senior Management team to deliver CMC Markets’ objectives.

• Drafting and negotiating a wide variety of commercial contracts, including:

• CMC’s own client facing terms of business;

• Corporate transactions and documentation, including joint ventures, shareholders’ agreement, directors’ resolutions, M&A and related documentation;

• Additional documentation to be reviewed as part of the role may include:

  • Marketing contracts;

  • Outsourcing contracts;

  • Market data agreements;

  • A range of institutional / partners agreements;

  • Prime brokerage documents (including ISDAs);

  • Lease agreements for CMC’s regional offices;

  • Engagement letters for external advisers (e.g. in relation to tax); and

  • Financing arrangements (e.g. facility agreements).

  • IT contracts;

Supporting the Legal Team:

• Making a significant contribution to the provision of a high-quality legal service to the business.

• Monitoring legal updates and sharing relevant information with other Legal Team members.

• Liaising with legal colleagues in the global Legal Department to ensure important information is shared.

• Undertaking such other duties as may be reasonably required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this role.

Supporting Other Departments:

• Assisting the global Compliance teams with responses to complaints, financial promotions, regulatory issues and rule changes that may affect CMC’s business.

• Assisting the Operations Team with any project work relating to the platform.

• Working closely with CMC’s Institutional Team on product launches.

• Drafting and negotiating a range of documentation in relation to CMC’s institutional offering.

International Outlook:

• Providing legal support and advice to CMC’s offices globally, as required.

• Ensuring that changes to CMC’s terms of business globally are compliant with both local regulation and law.

• Assisting with the expansion of CMC’s global businesses and cross-border considerations, such as new office openings.

• Ensuring CMC’s intellectual property rights around the world are protected and taking necessary action to prevent / stop infringement.

Principal Accountabilities:

• To ensure that legal risk is mitigated to the fullest extent possible and that legal issues are at all times addressed in accordance with best practice.

• To manage external advisers to best effect, keeping costs to a minimum without compromising the quality of legal advice received. 

• To have a thorough understanding of the financial services industry and the issues and legal developments that relate to CMC’s business globally.

Key Skills and Experience:

Essential:

• Qualified solicitors that have qualified in any jurisdiction will be considered, as will individuals who are not qualified but have nevertheless built up significant relevant experience.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate complex legal issues in a concise manner.

• Excellent organisation, analytical and negotiation skills.

• Ability to work well autonomously and as part of the team.

• Strong knowledge of ISDA documentation required.

Desirable:

• Experience of working in the financial services sector, especially with a prime broker or similar.

• Derivatives industry experience.

CMC Markets is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age.