Deputy General Counsel EMEA - Public Markets

Deputy General Counsel EMEA - Public Markets

Position: Deputy General Counsel, Public 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, providing innovative, practical, and commercially focused legal solutions to the investment management industry. We advise across a range of asset classes, including equities, fixed income, derivatives, and structured products, as well as fund structures such as UCITS and ETFs.

Role Summary

We are looking for a commercially minded and technically excellent Deputy General Counsel to lead our public markets practice. This is a senior leadership role ideal for an experienced in-house lawyer ready to operate at the highest level; advising across UCITS, ETFs, SMAs, and other regulated public fund structures.

You’ll take ownership of complex legal, regulatory, and commercial matters, act as a key advisor to clients, and help drive the growth of our public markets offering. You’ll also mentor junior talent, contribute to internal legal operations, and work closely with Cleveland & Co’s leadership team on strategic firm-wide initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Legal Advisory: Provide expert legal counsel on matters relating to public markets, including fund structuring, trading, investments, and compliance.
• UCITS and Fund Structures: Advise clients on the establishment, operation, and ongoing management of UCITS funds, AIFs, ETFs, and other public fund vehicles in the UK, Luxembourg and Ireland.
• Transaction Support: Oversee legal aspects of public market transactions, including equity and debt securities, derivatives, structured products, fund distribution agreements, negotiating investment management agreements and advising on model portfolio services.
• Regulatory Compliance: Advise on global regulatory frameworks such as UCITS Directive, MiFID II, PRIIPs, FCA regulations, and other applicable requirements.
• Risk Management: Proactively identify and manage legal risks, offering innovative solutions to mitigate exposure and protect client interests.
• Documentation: Draft, review, and negotiate key documentation, including fund prospectuses, investment management agreements, distribution agreements, and offering documents.
• Client Relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, acting as a trusted advisor on legal and strategic issues related to public markets and regulated funds.
• Leadership: Mentor and develop junior team members, creating a strong pipeline of future legal leaders.
• Market Insights: Monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting public markets and provide actionable insights to clients and the firm’s leadership.
• Business Development: Support the growth of the firm’s public markets practice by identifying opportunities, participating in client pitches, and contributing to strategic initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure seamless delivery of legal services and strategic alignment.

Key Qualifications

• Education: Qualified solicitor or attorney with an excellent academic background (dual or tri qualified preferred).
• Experience: 10+ years of post-qualification experience, with deep technical experience in public markets, with significant exposure to UCITS, ETFs, and other regulated fund structures.
• Skills: Strong knowledge of UCITS Directive, AIFMD, MiFID II, and other relevant regulations. Proven ability to advise on fund structuring, governance, and compliance matters. Strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.

Why Join Cleveland & Co?

• A Platform for Strategic Growth: Step into a leadership role where you’re empowered to shape client strategy, mentor future legal talent, and help build the legal function of the future.
• High-Impact Work Across Leading Clients: Work directly with ambitious clients across the public markets sector, from UCITS and ETFs to institutional SMA structures.
• Accelerated Career Trajectory: Gain the breadth, depth, and leadership exposure that would take years to build in a single in-house role.
• Entrepreneurial, High-Performance Culture: Join a team that’s scaling fast, values initiative, and thrives on challenge.

Location

This is a full-time, in-office role based at our London Bridge office (Monday–Thursday in-office, Friday remote).

Application Process

To apply, please send your CV and a short cover letter to hr@cleveland-co.com, outlining your relevant experience and what excites you about this opportunity.

Cleveland & Co is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.