Legal Director

2 weeks ago

London, Greater London, United Kingdom Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions Full time £120,000 - £160,000 per year

Job Description
Legal Director – Finance & Projects
Salary: £120,000–£160,000 + Bonus
Location: London
 
Shape Major Infrastructure & Banking Deals
 
Are you a finance lawyer ready to lead transformational infrastructure projects and complex banking transactions? Our client, a prestigious international law firm with 250 years of heritage, is seeking an exceptional Legal Director to join their market-leading Finance & Projects team in London.
 
This is your opportunity to advise on landmark deals—from multi-billion pound nuclear power stations to major real estate financings—while building enduring relationships with leading banks, financial institutions, and sophisticated borrowers.

The Role: Legal Director – Finance & Projects
 
As Legal Director, you'll take a leading role in structuring and executing complex finance transactions, managing sophisticated banking deals, and building strategic client relationships. You'll have autonomy to run your own matters, supervise junior lawyers, and contribute to the strategic direction of the practice.
 
Your Responsibilities:
  • Lead Complex Finance Transactions: Manage high-value project finance, infrastructure financing, corporate debt, real estate finance, and banking transactions from inception to completion
  • Client Ownership: Develop and maintain close relationships with major banks, financial institutions, infrastructure developers, investors, lenders, and corporate borrowers
  • Strategic Advisory: Provide commercially astute, solutions-focused advice on financing structures, security arrangements, syndication, underwriting, debt transfers, and portfolio transactions
  • Project Finance Expertise: Advise on energy and infrastructure projects, PPP/PFI transactions, and major development financings
  • Banking & Lending: Handle sophisticated lending transactions including asset-based lending, leveraged finance, funds finance, and speciality finance
  • Team Leadership: Supervise, mentor, and develop Associate and junior lawyers, sharing your technical expertise generously
  • Business Development: Identify opportunities to grow existing client relationships and develop new business across key sectors and financial institutions
  • Cross-Practice Collaboration: Work alongside specialists in Corporate, Real Estate, Energy, Infrastructure, Tax, and other practice areas to deliver integrated solutions
  • Innovation Champion: Leverage legal technology and innovative financing structures to enhance efficiency and client service delivery
Sectors You'll Work Across:
Energy & Utilities | Real Estate | Transport | Financial Services | Technology | Healthcare | Advanced Manufacturing
Transaction Types:
Project Finance | Corporate Debt | Real Estate Finance | Infrastructure Financing | Asset-Based Lending | Leveraged Finance | Debt Capital Markets | Funds Finance | Derivatives & Securities Financing | Syndicated Lending | Portfolio Transactions
 
About You: Essential Requirements
  • Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales with 8–12+ years' PQE in banking and finance
  • Proven track record managing complex, high-value finance transactions and/or project finance matters
  • Strong technical expertise across banking and finance law, including experience in at least two of: project finance, corporate debt, real estate finance, infrastructure financing, asset-based lending, or leveraged finance
  • Demonstrable client relationship skills with experience managing major banks, financial institutions, or sophisticated corporate borrowers
  • Team leadership experience including supervising and mentoring junior lawyers
  • Excellent drafting skills with ability to produce clear, legally effective facility agreements, security documents, and transaction documentation
  • Commercially astute with strong problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking around financing structures
  • Business development mindset with ability to identify and pursue new opportunities with financial institutions and corporate clients
  • Confident communicator able to engage with senior bankers, CFOs, and C-suite executives
  • Resilient and adaptable with ability to manage multiple high-pressure transactions simultaneously
  • Strong attention to detail with ability to navigate complex security packages and intercreditor arrangements
Highly Desirable:
  • Experience in project finance (energy, infrastructure, PPP/PFI transactions)
  • Real estate finance expertise (development finance, investment finance, hotel finance)
  • Sector specialization in energy, infrastructure, real estate, or financial services
  • Track record of business development and client origination with financial institutions
  • Experience working in a large international law firm environment
  • Exposure to cross-border financings and multi-jurisdictional transactions
  • Knowledge of sustainable finance, green finance, or ESG-linked financing
What's On Offer: Comprehensive Rewards Package
Financial:
  • Competitive salary: £120,000–£160,000 (dependent on experience)
  • Performance-related bonus scheme
  • Market-leading benefits package
Working Environment:
  • Flexible hybrid working model (minimum three days per week in the office)
  • Modern London office in the heart of the city's business district with excellent transport links
  • Collaborative, collegiate culture that values diversity, innovation, and ambition
Career Development:
  • Clear progression pathway to Partner level
  • Comprehensive training programmes including technical, skills-based, and leadership development
  • Mentoring and coaching support tailored to your career goals
  • International secondment opportunities across the firm's global network (Asia, Europe, Middle East)
  • Access to cutting-edge legal technology and specialist support teams
Work Quality:
  • Landmark transactions including multi-billion pound infrastructure projects
  • Highest-calibre matters for major banks, financial institutions, and FTSE 100 companies
  • Intellectually challenging work across multiple sectors and transaction types
  • Exposure to market-defining deals and innovative financing structures
  • Full-service firm resources with seamless collaboration across 50+ practice areas
Culture & Support:
  • Supportive, high-performing team environment
  • Employee networks celebrating diversity and inclusion
  • Firm-wide commitment to continuous improvement and innovation
  • Work-life balance supported through flexible working arrangements
About Our Client
 
Our client is an international, full-service law firm supporting over 5,000 organisations across 100+ countries. With offices spanning Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, plus regional coverage across Africa, India, Latin America, North America, and beyond, they are the natural choice for major banks, financial institutions, and their global equivalents.
 
Known for award-winning innovation and a 250-year heritage of excellence, the firm combines deep sector expertise with cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients. Their Finance practice is recognized as a "giant in the banking and finance sphere" (The Lawyer), with extensive experience across diverse finance-related assignments.
 
Location & Working Arrangements
This role is based in the firm's London office, located in the heart of the city's business and financial district with excellent access to transport links, amenities, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
 
The firm operates a flexible hybrid working model, requiring a minimum of three days per week in the office to facilitate collaboration and teamwork. Occasional travel to other UK offices or international locations may be required for major transactions.
 
How to Apply
 
If you're ready to take the next step in your finance career and lead landmark transactions with a top-tier international practice, we want to hear from you.
 
Contact Mara Watson today:
m.-

 
Please submit your CV in confidence. All applications will be treated with the utmost discretion.
 
Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is committed to protecting your privacy. All candidate information is handled in strict confidence, and we will never share your details with any third party without your explicit written consent.

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