Legal Counsel

at  CMC Markets

Since launching in 1989, CMC Markets (CMC) has become one of the world’s leading online financial trading businesses. CMC is listed on the London Stock Exchange and serves retail and institutional clients through regulated offices and branches in 13 countries.
CMC offers an award-winning online and mobile trading platform, enabling clients to trade up to 10,000 financial instruments across shares, indices, foreign currencies, commodities and treasuries through contracts for difference. In Australia, the CMC Group also offers stockbroking services.
* Please note that this is an onsite role and you will be required to be in the London office 5 days per week *
The CMC Legal Team globally consists of regional Heads of Legal in UK, Europe and Asia-Pacific, with teams consisting of senior legal counsels, legal counsels, paralegals and legal administrators.

KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• 3PQE+ solicitor qualified in England and Wales. Solicitors that have qualified in other jurisdictions will be considered if they can demonstrate a commitment to qualify to practice as a solicitor in England and Wales and have the necessary experience
• Prior litigation / dispute resolution experience or data privacy 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 a team, assuming managerial responsibilities where appropriate

Desirable

• Experience of working in the financial services sector

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.

Principle Accountabilities

• To ensure that legal risk is fully mitigated and that legal issues are always addressed in accordance with best practice
• To manage external advisers to best effect, keeping costs to a minimum, though without compromising the quality of legal advice received
• To have a thorough understanding of the financial services industry and its issues, including legal developments that relate to CMC’s business
• Maintaining personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the role, including all relevant regulatory and legislative training
• When dealing with customers, clients or colleagues, ensuring that we provide a clear, fair and consistently high quality service that presents a professional and positive image of CMC Markets
• Taking all reasonable steps to ensure appropriate confidentiality
• Undertaking such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may reasonably be required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility for this rol

General

• Assisting the Head of Legal, Senior Legal Counsel and the wider Senior Management Team to deliver CMC Markets’ objectives as part of a full service legal team
• Specific provision of capital markets, trading related and commercial advice to relevant internal teams
• Drafting and negotiating a variety of trade and share related contracts, including: CMC’s client-facing terms of business; Capital raising documentation and prime brokerage documents (including ISDAs);
• Also getting involved in drafting and negotiating a wide variety of commercial general and other types of contracts, including: IT contracts (including software licenses, cloud services and SaaS contracts); general marketing contracts (including sponsorship and event contracts); outsourcing contracts; market data agreements; a broad range of institutional / partner agreements; property agreements (leases and licenses); engagement letters for external advisers (e.g. in relation to finance / tax); and financing agreements (e.g. facility agreements)

Supporting the Legal Team

• Making a significant contribution to the provision of a high-quality legal service to the CMC business
• Demonstrating strong teamworking skills and liaising with global legal colleagues in Europe and Australia to ensure important information is shared
• Adept at monitoring, tracking and flagging key legal / commercial risks as they arise on various matters
• Monitoring legal updates and sharing relevant information with other Legal Team members
• Identifying and actioning key process, procedure and systems improvements within the Legal Team
• Embracing new challenges and adopting a growth mindset regarding continuous professional development

Supporting Other Departments

• Assisting the Compliance Team with responses to complaints, financial promotions, regulatory issues and rule changes that may affect CMC’s business
• Reviewing marketing content in conjunction with the Compliance Team
• Assisting the Operations Team with any project work relating to the CMC trading platform
• Assisting the Institutional Team by preparing agreements and updating global legal advice and due diligence

International Outlook

• Providing legal support and advice to CMC’s overseas branches and offices
• Ensuring that changes to CMC’s terms of business globally are compliant with both local regulation and the 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 IP infringements

Principle Accountabilities

• To ensure that legal risk is fully mitigated and that legal issues are always addressed in accordance with best practice
• To manage external advisers to best effect, keeping costs to a minimum, though without compromising the quality of legal advice received
• To have a thorough understanding of the financial services industry and its issues, including legal developments that relate to CMC’s business
• Maintaining personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the role, including all relevant regulatory and legislative training
• When dealing with customers, clients or colleagues, ensuring that we provide a clear, fair and consistently high quality service that presents a professional and positive image of CMC Markets
• Taking all reasonable steps to ensure appropriate confidentiality
• Undertaking such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may reasonably be required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility for this role