Legal Counsel - Financial Regulation
Our client is searching for a Financial Regulation Legal Counsel to join their European legal team. They are a leading global trading platform operating across multiple markets and regulatory regimes, blending financial services with advanced trading technology in a fast‑paced environment.
Your role
This is a hands‑on, technically focused legal role within a small team, offering direct exposure to senior stakeholders and meaningful responsibility. The successful candidate will provide practical regulatory advice across UK and European financial regulation, influencing how the business interprets and applies complex regulatory requirements within a trading and brokerage context.
Your responsibilities:
* Advise on UK financial services regulation, including provision of clear guidance on relevant FCA Handbook requirements, the Financial Services and Markets Act and other core regulatory frameworks that impact trading platforms and investment services.
* Support on European regulatory matters, including assimilated EU law and cross‑border regulatory issues, ensuring the business navigates evolving requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
* Lead and contribute to regulatory change projects, tracking developments such as MiFID II / UK MiFID, Market Abuse Regulation (MAR), Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR), Consumer Duty and relevant prudential or conduct‑related obligations.
* Draft and review internal policies, compliance guidance and procedures to ensure regulatory adherence and embed regulatory risk considerations into business initiatives.
* Provide legal input on regulatory interactions with internal stakeholders across legal, compliance, risk and business units.
* Assist with preparation and oversight of regulatory notifications, submissions and responses to regulatory enquiries.
* Support training and knowledge sharing across the business to enhance regulatory awareness and compliance practices.
Your profile
* 3-6 years' PQE (or equivalent) with strong technical grounding in financial regulation from private practice and/or in‑house at a regulated financial services provider.
* Good knowledge of UK regulatory fundamentals, such as the FCA Handbook, FSMA, UK MiFID, MAR, SMCR and related conduct and prudential regimes.
* Familiarity with European financial regulation and the impact of cross‑border regulatory frameworks on business operations is advantageous.
* Demonstrable experience advising on financial brokerage regulatory issues is advantageous.
* Ability to interpret technical regulation and translate it into clear, concise, business‑appropriate advice.
* Strong communicator with excellent drafting skills, able to engage with non‑legal stakeholders and contribute to operational decisions.
* Comfortable operating independently in a fast‑paced, high‑expectation environment with short reporting lines.
Working Pattern
* Hybrid working: 3 days in office (full time in-office for the initial onboarding period)