Head of Legal, Client Services Agreements

London Source: WhatJobs

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Overview

In this senior, client-facing role you will lead the legal lifecycle of client service agreements across Fund Administration and Debt Capital Markets services. You will manage a small team of lawyers, set standards, and ensure high-quality, timely legal output across a multi-jurisdictional portfolio. You will partner with Sales, Relationship Management and Operations to enable deals while maintaining risk controls. This is a commercially focused role that shapes client contracting practices and supports growth with scalable templates and playbooks. You will contribute to a high-performing legal function that aligns with Alter Domus’ service delivery model and regulatory requirements.

Pay / Benefits

ACCA study leave
flexible arrangements
generous holidays
birthday day off
mentoring
Employee Share Plan

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a team of lawyers handling CSA work for Fund Administration and DCM
Set objectives, priorities and quality standards; allocate work; maintain high standards
Provide guidance on complex negotiations; act as senior review before escalation
Maintain CSA template library and negotiation playbooks; ensure consistency
Own end-to-end management of client service agreements from draft to renewal
Draft, review and negotiate complex client agreements (fund administration, transfer agency, depositary, SPV administration, sub-administration, side letters)
Advise on key commercial risk positions and practical guidance to support deal execution
Manage contract amendments/variations; adapt service scope and fee terms
Maintain contract register; track renewals, liability exposure and governing law
Support onboarding from contracts perspective; ensure accurate documentation
Partner with Sales/Relationship Management/Operations on contracting matters
Provide training to commercial and operations colleagues; drive legal literacy
Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (AIFMD, UCITS, GDPR, depositary rules)
Support Legal Quality Control in template standards and consistency

Key requirements

Qualified lawyer
6–10 years' post-qualification experience in commercial contracts
Experience in both private practice and in-house environments
Proven people management experience
Strong drafting and negotiation skills for complex financial services or professional services contracts
Solid understanding of fund administration, asset servicing, depositary or capital markets services
Ability to provide clear, practical, commercially-oriented advice
Experience handling high-volume, multi-jurisdictional workloads
Strong stakeholder management with senior leaders and GC/Board
Knowledge of multi-jurisdictional contracting (civil vs common law)