Position Overview
EMEA Real Estate is a strategic growth priority for the Columbia Threadneedle Alternatives business. The business continues to expand in a challenging market environment. This is a great opportunity to join as a Legal Counsel (2‑5 PQE) within the Alternatives & Responsible Investment legal team (the “Team”), providing legal support and advice to the Real Estate businesses in EMEA.
The role will report to the EMEA Real Estate Senior Counsel. The legal support model for EMEA Real Estate is hybrid: the team is involved in fund structuring and internal governance matters working with external counsel directly, whereas the business lead on a BAU basis on all asset level transactions works with external counsel and without the involvement of the legal function unless an escalation is required.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the legal/regulatory aspects of structuring and launching new products, or restructuring existing products, working with senior counsel as a key point of contact to progress any initiative with external counsel and assisting with drafting and negotiation of all associated documentation.
- Work with other business functions including portfolio managers, tax, finance, company secretarial and real estate operations to deliver new products or business‑critical projects.
- Negotiate various legal documents and related contracts for funds and mandates including contracts with service providers (valuers, brokers, property managers) and letters of intent.
- Keep up to date with key developments and issues arising in relation to all relevant areas of law and regulation relating to real estate funds and real estate as an asset class in the UK and Europe.
- Support the effective governance and oversight of the real estate business.
- Assist with supervising a trainee on secondment from external counsel.
- Provide legal support and advice as needed on other products/services supported by the Team.
- Actively contribute to Columbia Threadneedle’s General Counsel’s Organisation (“GCO”) culture and align with its use of technology, such as AI, in a responsible and considered way.
Required Qualifications
- 2‑5 years PQE with real estate funds or other alternative funds experience and/or experience as a corporate lawyer, whether acting on real estate or other private asset transactions, gained either in-house at an investment management firm or in private practice.
Required Skillset
- Ability to act with clear ownership of tasks, follow through on commitments, and keep stakeholders informed on progress.
- Ability to proactively build new relationships, deal with a range of personalities, and raise effective challenges confidently.
- Strong collaborative and teamwork skills.
- A growth, flexible, and resilient mindset and willingness to tackle new issues.
- Ability to evaluate pros, cons and implications of different courses of action and present them clearly aligned with enterprise risk appetite.
- Ability to work easily within a team, within Legal and with other support functions, in particular Compliance and Tax.
- Willingness to go the extra mile to hit key deadlines.
- Ability to take a commercial and pragmatic approach.
In‑Office Collaboration & Work Hours
Employees work in the office at least four days per week, with flexibility to work from home one day per week. Some roles may require additional in‑office time or different in‑office expectations, and specific requirements will be discussed during the hiring process.
Equal Opportunity & Inclusive Hiring Statement
Columbia Threadneedle Investments is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to racial or ethnic background, religion or belief, sex or gender, nationality, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, pregnancy or maternity or any other basis prohibited by law. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to aid your participation in the application or interview process, speak to your recruiter to discuss how we can support you.
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