Senior Legal Counsel – Secondaries Transactions (PE)

Senior Legal Counsel - Secondaries Transactions (Private Equity)
London, United Kingdom
Join a Leading Global Private Markets Investment Manager
Our client is a highly regarded independent global investment management firm specialising in private markets. With a long-established international presence and a multi-billion-dollar asset base, the firm invests across a range of private asset strategies and serves a diverse global investor base comprising institutional and private wealth clients. The firm has built a strong reputation for innovation, responsible investing and delivering tailored investment solutions through a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture. As the business continues to expand its secondaries platform, an opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to join the London-based Legal team.
The Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity for a senior private funds lawyer to join a sophisticated and growing secondaries investment platform. You will work closely with investment professionals, senior management and external counsel on a broad range of complex and high-value transactions, including LP portfolio acquisitions, continuation funds, GP-led and LP-led preferred equity transactions, fund restructurings and other innovative secondaries solutions. In addition to transactional support, you will play a key role in advising on fund formation, fund structuring and strategic initiatives across the firm's global secondaries business.
Key Responsibilities
Fund Formation & Structuring

Lead and coordinate legal aspects relating to the establishment, operation and governance of UK, US, Cayman and Luxembourg private equity fund structures.
Partner closely with investment, product and investor relations teams on fund structuring and strategic product initiatives.
Support the launch of new secondaries funds and bespoke separate managed account structures.
Manage external counsel and oversee the preparation and negotiation of fund documentation, including limited partnership agreements, PPM, subscription agreements and related materials.

Transaction Execution

Act as lead legal adviser on acquisitions and disposals of primary and secondary fund interests, including both single-asset and portfolio transactions.
Advise on transaction structuring, tax and regulatory considerations.
Negotiate and execute purchase and sale agreements, transfer documentation, side letters and related transaction documents.
Coordinate transaction closings and stakeholder management across multiple jurisdictions.
Lead legal work-streams relating to NAV facilities and subscription credit facilities.

Portfolio & Fund Operations

Attend Investment Committee meetings and provide strategic legal input on proposed transactions.
Oversee MFN election processes and investor consent matters.
Support advisory board interactions and underlying fund manager communications.
Assist with contentious matters and dispute resolution as required.

Legal & Regulatory

Partner with Compliance to enhance governance frameworks, policies and controls.
Provide practical legal advice on fund operations, regulatory developments and private equity investment matters.
Build and maintain strong relationships with external law firms and service providers.
Support broader legal team initiatives and collaborate closely with senior legal leadership.

Candidate Profile
We are seeking a commercially minded lawyer who enjoys operating at the intersection of complex transactions, fund structuring and business strategy.
Experience & Qualifications

Qualified lawyer in the UK or US.
Minimum 6 year's post-qualification experience gained within a leading private funds practice and/or a sophisticated in-house investment management environment.
Extensive experience advising on private equity fund structures and fund formation matters.
Strong track record supporting secondaries transactions, including acquisitions and disposals of LP interests.
Experience across UK and US fund structures; exposure to Luxembourg vehicles would be advantageous.
Strong understanding of fund operations, fund closings and investor-related matters.

Highly Desirable

Experience with LP portfolio transactions.
Exposure to continuation funds and GP-led secondaries.
Experience advising on GP-led preferred equity and LP-led preferred equity transactions.
Familiarity with NAV financing and subscription line facilities.

Personal Attributes

Commercially astute with strong business judgement.
Confident stakeholder manager capable of influencing senior investment professionals.
Highly organised with excellent project management skills.
Collaborative, adaptable and comfortable working across multiple jurisdictions and time zones.
Able to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial and intellectually demanding environment.

Why Apply?
This role offers the opportunity to:

Work on some of the most sophisticated and innovative transactions in the secondaries market.
Join a highly respected global private markets platform with an established international presence.
Gain direct exposure to senior investment professionals and business leaders across multiple jurisdictions.
Operate as a trusted adviser and strategic partner to the investment team.
Play a key role in the continued growth and evolution of a leading secondaries franchise.

For experienced private funds lawyers seeking a broader commercial role with significant transaction exposure and strategic influence, this represents an exceptional opportunity.