Deputy General Counsel EMEA – Private Markets

Cleveland & Co; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000

Job description

Deputy General Counsel EMEA – Private Markets

Position: Deputy General Counsel, Private Markets

Company: Cleveland & Co

Location: London Bridge

Reports To: General Counsel (Rowena Hill), with regular interaction with the CEO and senior leadership team.

About Cleveland & Co

Cleveland & Co is a dynamic outsourced in-house legal team, delivering innovative, strategic legal solutions to clients across the investment management industry. We deliver high-calibre advice across private equity, real estate, infrastructure, private debt, hedge funds, and venture capital.

The Deputy General Counsel (DGC) role is built for a senior in-house lawyer who’s ready for more; more responsibility, more variety, more impact. They thrive in-house because they love being embedded in the business. This is a role for someone who wants to build something; inside their clients’ businesses, inside our firm, and inside their own career.

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced Deputy General Counsel to lead legal delivery across our private markets practice. This is a rare opportunity to take on a strategic leadership role with direct client impact, breadth of exposure, and a clear path to firm-wide influence.

You will advise across private equity, real estate, infrastructure, credit, hedge funds, and venture capital; overseeing transactions, fund structuring, and regulatory navigation. The ideal candidate is a commercially minded legal strategist with deep private markets experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on matters related to private markets, including fund formation, structuring, investments, and exits.
• Act as a strategic legal advisor, guiding clients through complex structuring, governance, and investor negotiations.
• Transaction Management: Oversee and manage end-to-end legal processes for private market transactions, including drafting, negotiating, and reviewing agreements.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards.
• Risk Mitigation: Identify and manage legal risks related to private market investments.
• Client Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with clients.
• Mentor and develop junior team members.
• Foster a high-performance culture.
• Business Development: Collaborate with senior leadership to expand the firm’s private markets practice.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with internal teams and external stakeholders.

Key Qualifications

• Education: Qualified solicitor or attorney with an excellent academic background.
• Experience:
• 10+ years of post-qualification experience in private markets.
• Experience working in a top-tier law firm and in-house legal team.
• Skills:
• Expertise in private market transactions and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Exceptional client relationship management skills.
• Attributes:
• Commercially astute with a strategic mindset.
• Detail-oriented and proactive problem-solver.
• Team player with excellent leadership abilities.

Why Join Cleveland & Co?

• A Platform for Strategic Growth: Step into a leadership role where you’re empowered to shape client strategy.
• High-Impact Work Across Leading Clients: Work directly with ambitious clients across the private markets sector.
• Accelerated Career Trajectory: Gain the breadth, depth, and leadership exposure.
• Entrepreneurial, High-Performance Culture: Join a team that values initiative and thrives on challenge.
• Work That Doesn’t Stand Still: No two days are the same.

Location

This is a full-time, in-office role based at our London Bridge office.

Application Process

To apply, please send your CV and a short cover letter to [e-mail].

Cleveland & Co is an equal opportunity employer.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Legal
• Industries
• Investment Management