Senior Transaction Lawyer – Structured Finance & Funding

Overview

A structured financing business within a diversified financial services firm is seeking an experienced Senior Transaction Lawyer to join its Structured Finance legal team. This role involves providing front-line legal support for a broad range of funding, treasury, and capital markets activities, focusing on rated short-term debt issuance programs such as commercial paper, ABCP conduits, and medium-term note (MTN) programs, as well as structured funding transactions documented under industry-standard master agreements including GMRAs, ISDAs, GMSLAs, and related bespoke structures.

This position offers a leadership opportunity within a fast-paced structured finance platform that innovates across funding products and global markets. The successful candidate will be central to high-profile, complex transactions and will play a pivotal role in shaping the legal and risk framework of the business.

This role is primarily remote with a requirement to be present in the Chicago office at least two days per month.

Responsibilities

• Advise on the establishment, maintenance, and updates of rated short-term debt issuance programs, including commercial paper and medium-term note platforms.
• Draft and negotiate program documentation, offering materials, and dealer agreements.
• Coordinate with rating agencies, financial counterparties, commercial paper dealers, trustees, issuing/settlement agents, and external counsel.
• Negotiate and document transactions under Global Master Repurchase Agreements (GMRAs), ISDA Master Agreements, and Global Master Securities Lending Agreements (GMSLAs), including credit support annexes, confirmations, and bespoke collateral arrangements.
• Support structuring of secured funding, total return swaps, repos, securities lending, and derivative transactions across asset classes.
• Provide legal guidance on collateral eligibility, rehypothecation, margining, close-out netting, and enforceability matters.
• Advise front-office, treasury, and compliance teams on legal issues related to structured finance and derivatives activity.
• Interpret regulatory requirements (CFTC, SEC, FCA, EMIR, Basel, etc.) and provide guidance on compliance in transaction structuring.
• Advise on compliance with SEC rules and regulations for Security Based Swap Dealers.
• Support the Office of the Chief Compliance Officer, including drafting manuals based on SEC SBSD rules.
• Assess and mitigate legal risks in funding structures, including cross-border considerations.
• Lead negotiations with counterparties, dealers, and agents on transaction documentation.
• Review and adapt industry standard templates for novel structures.
• Ensure internal policies and risk limits are reflected in legal terms.
• Collaborate closely with front-office, credit risk, operations, treasury, and compliance colleagues to support business objectives.
• Liaise with external counsel, regulators, and industry bodies as necessary.

Basic Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree completed.
• Licensed to practice law in New York or Illinois.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in structured finance, capital markets, or derivatives at a top law firm or financial institution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent drafting, analytical, and communication skills.
• Strong commercial judgment with the ability to balance business goals and risk management.
• Deep knowledge of financial markets regulation in the U.S. and EU/UK, particularly derivatives and securities financing transactions.
• Extensive familiarity with short-term debt issuance programs, including commercial paper and MTN documentation, and master agreement frameworks (GMRAs, ISDAs, GMSLAs).
• Proven ability to lead complex negotiations and manage multiple stakeholders across jurisdictions.
• Transactional leadership and problem-solving mindset.
• Ability to operate independently while providing collaborative support.
• High attention to detail and capability to manage multiple complex transactions simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build trust with front-office and external counterparties.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual base salary range: $150,000 to $250,000.
• Actual base salary may vary based on location and experience.
• Total compensation package may include additional components such as incentive compensation.

Location

• Primarily remote work.
• Required in-office presence at least two days per month in Chicago, Illinois.