EME Credit Legal Counsel VP

Overall purpose of role

To provide legal support and manage legal and reputational risks for the Credit Trading and Credit Structuring businesses in EME, with a focus on loan and special situations trading. Additionally, to support the Markets Legal team in executing the strategic priorities of the function and the firm.

Key Accountabilities

1. Provide day-to-day legal coverage for the Credit Trading and Credit Structuring businesses within Barclays Investment Bank's Markets division in UK and Europe, including fixed income trading, loans, special situations, claims trading, credit derivatives, structured credit, and financing.
2. Support all aspects of the loan and special situations trading lifecycle, including par and distressed loans, NPLs, claims, restructurings, refinancings, and new money.
3. Offer event-driven legal advice on issues involving issuers, borrowers, reference entities, counterparties, market events, and distressed situations.
4. Advise on legal governance matters, ensuring appropriate frameworks are in place, and participate in internal approval processes and risk forums.
5. Assist with regulatory change projects affecting the Credit businesses, providing input and managing implementation of initiatives.
6. Represent Barclays in industry forums and market initiatives.
7. Manage external counsel effectively, including legal spend responsibilities.
8. Deliver legal, regulatory, and governance updates to senior management and colleagues, fostering collaboration across legal teams.

To be successful, you should:

• Be a qualified lawyer
• Have a background in Financial Services, either in-house or private practice
• Possess excellent drafting and negotiation skills
• Be capable of navigating complex legal and regulatory issues in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

Additional preferred criteria include experience in distressed debt trading, restructuring & insolvency, and support for trading businesses such as markets, derivatives, and bonds.

This role is based in London.

Purpose of the role

Ensure that the activities within the Markets division comply with applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and assist in managing legal risks.

Accountabilities

1. Develop and implement legal strategies to ensure compliance.
2. Provide legal advice to the Markets division on product and service-related matters.
3. Support legal proceedings involving the division, including litigation and investigations.
4. Review and create legal documents, maintaining templates and ensuring compliance.
5. Stay updated on legal and regulatory changes affecting the division.
6. Develop training to educate employees on legal and regulatory requirements.
7. Identify and communicate legal risks, ensuring they are reflected in policies and controls.

Vice President Expectations

1. Contribute to strategy, resource planning, and policy management, driving continuous improvement.
2. If managing a team, define roles, plan for future needs, and lead performance management.
3. Demonstrate leadership behaviors: Listen and be authentic, Energise and inspire, Align across the enterprise, Develop others.
4. For individual contributors, serve as a subject matter expert, guide technical direction, and mentor less experienced staff.
5. Advise stakeholders on impact and alignment across functions.
6. Manage risks and strengthen controls.
7. Understand organizational functions to support business goals.
8. Collaborate across areas to stay aligned with business strategies.
9. Develop solutions through analytical and interpretative thinking.
10. Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders to achieve business objectives, using influencing skills.

All colleagues are expected to embody Barclays Values: Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship, and demonstrate the Barclays Mindset: Empower, Challenge, Drive.