Fund Finance Associate (1-3 PQE)

We are currently recruiting for a Fund Finance Associate to join our Debt Finance Group in London.

Department purpose

A&O Shearman can advise on any form of financing that borrowers or lenders choose to undertake, and clients often call on us to advise on the ground-breaking deals and structures which eventually become the market standard.  

The main focus of the Fund Finance group is assisting sponsors, borrowers and lenders in financing funds throughout the life cycle of the fund – transactions range from subscription line facilities and NAV facilities to GP support facilities and CV fund financings. We are a well-established practice and offer a breadth of experience on international and cutting-edge market deals. We are ambitious and are passionate about growing our practice over the coming years as the fund finance industry continues to grow. The work is interesting and varied and we are a friendly and collaborative team.

The Fund Finance team sits within the wider Debt Finance group structured around leveraged acquisition finance, particularly large, multi-jurisdictional transactions, and including both public and private bids.  A&O Shearman’s Debt Finance practice group is widely recognised as one of the market leaders. We are able to offer our clients exceptional market knowledge, built from a broad client base and from regularly working on big-ticket, cross-border deals, gained in times of both boom and bust.  Our lawyers have been active in transactions all across Europe and beyond and we work on some of the most cutting-edge and high-profile deals in the market.

Our work includes acting for all of the major international banks involved in the fund finance and leveraged space. In addition, we deal with a range of non-banking clients such as private equity houses, corporate borrowers and non-bank lenders.

Role and responsibilities
Drafting, reviewing and negotiating documentation such as security agreements but opportunities to work on senior documentation (facility agreements and intercreditor agreements) where there is desire and ability to do so
Project management of conditions precedent and closing processes
Managing and co-ordinating large, multi-jurisdictional transactions involving overseas counsel
Liaising with colleagues throughout the A&O Shearman network (particularly in Europe, Asia and the US)
Strategically advising clients in meetings, on the phone and by email
Managing client expectations and project delivery appropriately
Building relationships with clients (both on and off deal) and assisting with and implementing business development initiatives
Key requirements
Qualified lawyer – ideally between 1 and 3 years PQE
Strong technical knowledge of the legal framework surrounding general financing transactions
Familiarity with the main documents (e.g. facility agreements, security documents and intercreditor agreements) used in financing transactions
Experience of working on fund finance transactions would be a bonus, but is not essential and we welcome applicants with wider debt finance experience
Keen interest in AI and technology and passionate about using the firm’s extensive capabilities in this area to help drive initiatives within the fund finance team
Intellectual curiosity and versatility
Self-starter with the desire and ability to continuously acquire, build upon and share knowledge
Detail-focused and self-motivated approach
Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
Excellent client relationship skills
Sound experience of operating at associate level within a complex international organisation
Strong commercial/business acumen with the ability to deliver creative and pragmatic solutions and advice
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface at all levels and particularly to win the respect of the partner and fee-earner community, building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
Collaborative team player with the ability to develop and work in a fast paced, intellectually rigorous environment
A person of sound judgment, able to establish a high level of credibility

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

Our approach to hybrid working seeks to combine and maximise the benefits of effective remote working with the benefits of being in the office.  Our current hybrid working arrangements require office based working for a minimum of 60% of your time (i.e. three days per week for a full time role) in accordance with our hybrid working policy.