Legal and Compliance Manager

Summary:

Orla Rose is seeking a qualified solicitor with a minimum of three years’ post-qualification experience in a buy-side environment to join as Legal and Compliance Manager. This role is integral to the firm’s governance framework, supporting both legal and regulatory compliance functions across the UK management entity and its associated fund structures.

Key Responsibilities

Legal:

• Support the COO and the Board in managing legal matters across the firm and its fund structures, including engagement with external legal counsel.
• Monitor and mitigate legal risks, implementing appropriate controls and strategies.
• Assist in maintaining an efficient UK and offshore corporate structure for both regulated and unregulated activities.
• Oversee governance of fund entities, liaising with fund boards and company secretaries.
• Ensure fund offering documents are accurate, compliant, and up to date.
• Advise on legal aspects of investor communications and fund operations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a range of legal agreements, including investment, counterparty, supplier, and employment contracts.
• Establish and maintain a robust legal and governance framework for the firm’s cryptocurrency program.
• Support the maintenance of HR policies and the staff handbook.
• Assist with company secretarial duties, including board meeting coordination and statutory record-keeping.

Compliance:

• Maintain and oversee the firm’s compliance framework, including the Compliance Manual, policies, and monitoring programme.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with FCA regulations (including IPRU-INV and MIFIDPRU) and US regulatory requirements (NFA/CFTC).
• Conduct regular reviews of the firm’s ICARA and risk register.
• Oversee financial crime compliance, including MLRO reviews and AML/KYC procedures.
• Qualify prospective investors as professional clients under applicable rules.
• Review and approve marketing materials and financial promotions in line with regulatory standards.
• Provide compliance guidance to the business development team, particularly on cross-border marketing rules.
• Prepare and submit non-financial regulatory filings to relevant authorities.
• Monitor staff training to ensure alignment with regulatory obligations.
• Coordinate responses to AML/KYC requests from counterparties and investment entities.
• Ensure adherence to data protection and privacy regulations.

Candidate Requirements

• Qualifications: UK-qualified solicitor with a minimum of three years’ post-qualification experience in a buy-side legal or compliance role.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Strong understanding of FCA and NFA/CFTC regulatory frameworks. Familiarity with MIFIDPRU/IPRU-INV is advantageous. Experience in managed futures or derivatives is preferred.
• Legal & Compliance Expertise: Demonstrated experience in legal and compliance functions within an investment management or hedge fund environment.
• Fund Structures: Working knowledge of onshore and offshore fund structures and their regulatory implications.
• Documentation: Proficiency in reviewing and negotiating legal agreements and regulatory documentation.
• Organisational Skills: Strong ability to manage compliance records, policy updates, and governance processes.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with internal stakeholders, external counsel, and regulatory bodies.