Assistant General Counsel- Senior Manager

Job description

Location: UK. This is primarily a remote working position, but some attendance at KPMG’s London office will be required.

About KDN

The world of global advisory, audit and tax compliance services for large multi-nationals is rapidly changing and heavily dependent on technology. The KPMG Delivery Network (KDN) is a KPMG special purpose member firm offering a way for clients to leverage KPMG top talent and technology platforms through regional teams of specialists, enabling economies of scale and a new way of working that expands beyond local capability. Together with KDN, KPMG member firms can drive the sales and delivery of global solutions at a competitive price and in a repeatable and consistent manner. As a member of KDN, you’ll be a part of the KPMG family working alongside some of our profession’s most skilled practitioners on rewarding programs and initiatives that are changing the way business operates, delivering value to our clients, and driving positive change in the communities we serve. You’ll be enabling KDN accelerate new ways of working, using cutting-edge technology and working together with our member firms located in nearly 150 countries to help us achieve our ambition to be the most trusted and trustworthy professional services firm. And through your work, you’ll build a global network and unlock opportunities that you may not have thought possible with access to great support, vast resources, and an inclusive, supportive environment to help you reach your full potential.

 Role Summary 

The KDN Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is responsible for managing the organisation's global legal and regulatory risk. The OGC is expanding by seeking an experienced corporate and commercial lawyer who will deliver practical and business-focused legal advice to our business and corporate services partners and work collaboratively with other KPMG network firms worldwide. This is a sophisticated generalist role, and the successful candidate will support a variety of transactional, corporate, commercial and regulatory matters.

Role Responsibilities

• Advise on a wide range of corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters.
• Support strategic transactions including M&A, business set-ups, reorganizations, new service offerings, financings and other transformative initiatives.
• Manage the legal due diligence process and deliver strategic advice and superior problem solving for complex legal issues.
• Review and advise on new services and solutions including the KPMG governance process and specialized legal and regulatory issues.
• Draft and review policies and advise on compliance.
• Manage external legal counsel in multiple jurisdictions and ensure work is done on a cost-effective and efficient basis.
• Balance the need to deliver practical and business-focused advice while managing KDN's risk appetite and compliance obligations.
• Make presentations and write articles on important legal topics.
• Mentor and support junior members of the KDN OGC and wider KDN team.
• Develop collaborative relationships across KDN and the KPMG network of member firms

The successful candidate will be responsible for a wide range of matters, including: -

• Juris Doctorate (JD) or an equivalent degree with an active license to practice law in the United Kingdom or Ontario (or in receipt of necessary waivers while seeking qualification on a timely basis).
• Experienced lawyer with at least 7 years of post-call experience with significant time spent at a major law firm ('Big 4' accounting firm and other relevant in-house experience is desirable as an add-on).
• Expert level legal skills with a demonstrated ability to lead complex corporate transactions and other sophisticated matters.
• An advanced risk management and strategic mindset with the ability to quickly spot issues and recommend mitigation options that enable the business to meet our objectives without taking on unacceptable risks.
• Expertise negotiating, drafting and reviewing transaction and commercial agreements and advising on laws and regulations across multiple jurisdictions.
• Able to work independently and manage complex files while also collaborating with business teams and other OGC team members.
• Balances the needs and demands of a fast growing global business with legal and compliance risk management.
• Self-motivated and thrives in a fast-paced environment working with many different global stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills

Role Requirements 

The OGC is looking for a candidate who: -

• is a highly motivated self-starter and able to work independently with minimal supervision while understanding when to escalate issues within the OGC
• has a demonstrably strong track record of company secretarial and corporate governance experience, including coverage of the stated Role Responsibilities
• has an excellent working knowledge and sound grasp of corporate governance and legal requirements applicable to organisations such as KDN
• is highly organised, including coordination of multiple deadlines and priority management
• possesses excellent communication skills (both written and verbal), including the ability to work with people at all levels of the organisation
• acts with integrity and discretion when handling confidential information
• is detail oriented with an ability to quickly identify and concisely articulate solutions to maintain compliance and meet deadlines
• has experience managing a high-intensity and complex workload, spanning multiple time zones and legislative frameworks
• is fluent in English (both written and spoken)
• has a diplomatic approach to work and the confidence to provide support to high-profile personnel, including board members
• has all appropriate licenses and designations, including those mandated by relevant regulatory bodies (e.g. Solicitors Regulation Authority, Chartered Governance Institute, etc.)
• has prior experience of working within an in-house environment (i.e. working for and advising the organisation itself, not its clients)
• has a high level of proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Edge, OneDrive, Teams and SharePoint
• has experience of and is comfortable with a primarily remote working environment (i.e. calls / meetings via Teams and communication with a bias towards e-mails and online messaging)

“Everyone a Leader” Competencies 

The KPMG “Everyone a Leader” framework reflects Our Values and clarifies how we would like everyone to perform and lead within the KPMG network.

It is expected that colleagues will be able to demonstrate competence in all areas of the KPMG Everyone a Leader Framework and, in particular: -  

• Champion inclusion:  Contributes to an environment in which all people feel like they belong
• Drive quality: Delivers high-quality output and provides exceptional service that adds value and exceeds expectations
• Act ethically and responsibly: Takes personal responsibility for fostering an ethical environment and encourages others to do the same 
• Apply a strategic perspective: Uses diverse sets of inputs to develop a broad perspective on business and people issues
• Make sound decisions: Exercises sound ethical and business judgment when making decisions
• Foster innovation: Embraces a culture of innovation and experimentation to create value
• Demonstrate self-awareness: Focuses on self-development and continuous learning, using insight to build capability and confidence 
• Build collaborative relationships: Connects with individuals, teams and organisations to build lasting, collaborative relationships that enable growth
• Develop and motivate others: Engages teams, instils confidence, and coaches people to find meaning in their work and achieve exceptional results

KDN is an inclusive organisation

Everyone brings a unique perspective. We want to harness diverse thinking by bringing bright minds together and valuing the differences that lead to stronger insights and innovation.

At KDN, we recognise that we need Inclusion, Diversity and Equality to be successful. We want to attract, retain and develop diverse talent at all levels. This means recruiting from the widest possible pool of talent, removing barriers that can prevent our people from reaching their full potential, and fostering a fully inclusive environment which maximises collaboration and empowers everyone at KPMG to bring their whole selves to work.  We encourage authenticity, honour individual priorities, and respect your choices.

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