Sr. Counsel - Financial Services

At MFS, you will find a culture that supports you in doing what you do best. Our employees work together to reach better outcomes, favoring the strongest idea over the strongest individual. We put people first and demonstrate care and compassion for our community and each other. Because what we do matters – to us as valued professionals and to the millions of people and institutions who rely on us to help them build more secure and prosperous futures.

THE ROLE

A skilled and experienced financial services lawyer to provide strategic and pragmatic legal advice and solutions to MFS relating to its investment management services in EMEA, with a particular focus on the implementation of, and ongoing compliance with regulation in the UK and the EU. The position will play a senior role in the MFS International Legal team assisting and collaborating with MFS lawyers to serve internal stakeholders.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Working collaboratively to provide strategic and pragmatic legal advice and solutions on regulatory implementation and compliance relating to investment management services provided by MFS in EMEA, with a particular focus on the UK and EU. The senior counsel is expected to balance regulatory risks with the needs and practices of a global business.
• Anticipating, tracking, preparing and advising on forthcoming regulation that impact MFS and engaging internal stakeholders effectively and appropriately.
• Advising internal clients and stakeholders on ongoing regulatory compliance. This includes monitoring and advising on evolving regulatory standards and expectations.
• Develop strong internal client relationships with key business stakeholders across MFS globally. 
• Assisting MFS and working with internal stakeholders to manage regulatory relationships including responding to requests and requirements.
• Engaging with institutional clients relating to contractual mandates and MFS service providers such as brokers, custodians, technology vendors as required.
• Review and analysis of regulation, investment management agreements and other relevant regulatory, contractual and business documentation.
• Producing written materials including advice, memos, presentations, agendas as applicable.
• Serves as legal consultant to internal stakeholders for special projects such as formation of new entities and new market / product initiatives.
• Instructs, engage and oversee external counsel as necessary and ensuring quality of service and costs standards are met. Assumes other additional responsibilities as requested.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Qualified to practice law in England and Wales as a solicitor or barrister, or the equivalent in an EU jurisdiction. Should be admitted to and be a member in good standing of a local authorizing authority such as the UK Solicitors’ Regulation Authority or equivalent. 
• Prior experience in financial services, either in-house and / or at a leading law firm.
• Has a deep understanding of regulation and skilled in communicating regulatory impact in an accessible way to senior management and boards.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain strong internal relationships within a collaborative environment.
• Willingness to lead, be strategic, innovative and pragmatic to facilitate business goals and objectives within a regulated environment. 
• Strong drafting skills with the ability to tailor to different audience and context.
• Strong organizational skills to manage competing demands and priorities, keeping multiple stakeholders aware of progress and risk based decisions.

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At MFS, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. If you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly, we encourage you to apply - you might be just the right candidate for this role or others.

What we offer:

At MFS, we view our employees as family — and like you, we want our family happy and healthy. That's why we provide competitive benefits programs and family-friendly policies which support the work-life balance needs of our employees.
 

MFS is a hybrid work environment (remote/onsite) unless otherwise stated in the job posting.

If any applicant is unable to complete an application or respond to a job opening because of a disability, please contact MFS at 617-954-5000 or email [email protected] for assistance. 

MFS is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and it is our policy to not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws. Employees and applicants of MFS will not be subject to harassment on the basis of their status. Additionally, retaliation, including intimidation, threats, or coercion, because an employee or applicant has objected to discrimination, engaged or may engage in filing a complaint, assisted in a review, investigation, or hearing or have otherwise sought to obtain their legal rights under any Federal, State, or local EEO law is prohibited. Please see the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal document and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision, linked for your reference.