Mercer Investment Solutions (MIS) is Mercer’s investment management / OCIO arm that manages in excess of US$350bn globally. The European business was established in 2006 and currently manages assets in excess of US$150bn. MIS’s business provides sophisticated implementation and investment services to institutional clients such as DB & DC pension schemes, insurance companies, endowments & foundations and wealth managers. Services are provided across traditional and alternative asset classes and are underpinned by a range of regulated investment funds to implement a manager-of-managers operating model whereby Mercer selects third party managers from Mercers list of highly rated managers in each asset class, thus combining Mercer's in-house portfolio management expertise with the depth and breadth of Mercer’s global investment manager research.

Mercer's Investments business is a leading provider of investment consulting and investment solutions globally. We offer customised advice and support at every stage of the investment decision, risk management and investment monitoring process. The Investment Solutions business, catering for clients who wish to delegate the implementation of their investment strategy, has grown very rapidly over recent years and governs over $150 billion in client assets across Europe and Asia.

Mercer is a global leader in the provision of investment related services to a wide range of institutional clients including pension funds, insurance companies, wealth managers and endowments. The firm also has a significant global presence in human resource consulting and related services. Globally, across all business segments, Mercer has more than 20,000 employees based in more than 40 countries.

Mercer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE: MMC), a global team of professional services companies offering clients advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and human capital. With over 50,000 employees worldwide and annual revenue exceeding $12 billion, Marsh & McLennan Companies is also the parent company of Marsh, a global leader in insurance broking and risk management; Guy Carpenter, a global leader in providing risk and reinsurance intermediary services; and Oliver Wyman, a global leader in management consulting. For more information, visit www.mercer.com.

What can you expect?

• The business has experienced significant growth over the last 24 months and with a strong pipeline of activity, this looks set to continue for the foreseeable future. This growth has involved a huge level of new client on-boarding and product builds and has seen the business further enhance its product and service offering and its position in the market.
• In this role, you will be an important member of the legal team that supports MIS’s European fund management business and products, primarily its CBI authorised fund ranges.

What is in it for you?

Our employees enjoy excellent benefits such as:

• Competitive salary with annual review
• Up to 12% pension contribution
• Full healthcare cover
• Study Support
• Flexible working/potential to work from home
• Sports & Social clubs/Wellness Programme
• Paid annual leave and ability to purchase additional leave days
• Travel ticket/bike to work/dental are optional
• 35 hour working week

We will count on you to:

• Provide practical, business-oriented advice on Mercer’s new product and service offerings, specifically in the context of the Mercer fund range, regulation impacting such fund ranges, applicable governance requirements, fund distribution and on emerging issues.
• Maintain up-to-date legal knowledge to ensure compliance with relevant policies and legislation and provide legal advice to fund boards and key internal stakeholders such as Fund Design, Strategy, Investment Consulting, Sales and Client Services teams.
• Work closely with Mercer external legal counsel in relation to the above, where appropriate, to include managing timely delivery of projects and advice within agreed scope and budget.
• Draft, review and maintain fund prospectuses, supplements and material contracts for Mercer’s UCITS and AIF products.
• Draft and negotiate fund investment management agreements (including segregated mandates), amendments to such, fee agreements and a variety of other associated legal agreements.
• Manage market opening process for Mercer funds and appointed managers to trade.
• Know the company, its organisational and management structure, its markets and its businesses and keep abreast of global Mercer and MMC goals.
• Safeguard and manage legal and regulatory risk.
• Take on and where necessary lead projects important to the department or the internal client and manage these effectively and to completion.
• Provide support on governance arrangements surrounding Mercer’s regulated entities.
• Escalate key issues for decision or information using appropriate judgment as to when to do so.
• Suggest, support, promote and implement initiatives as part of the Legal team.
• Work closely with colleagues in the wider Legal, Compliance and Public Affairs Function.
• Take on and where necessary lead projects important to the department or the internal client and manage these effectively and to completion.

What you need to have:

• A current practicing certificate with a strong record of PQE in the relevant fields.
• Strong experience in drafting fund related documentation and material contracts.
• Strong experience gained in the asset management practice of a reputable law firm and/or in-house.
• Familiarity with fund structures and applicable regulatory requirements across the spectrum of UCITS and AIF products and fund types.
• Solid understanding of legal and regulatory structures applicable to the management, operation and distribution of fund products and provision of portfolio management solutions.
• Experience dealing with regulators (e.g. CBI, FCA, CSSF) and managing process around product approvals and business change requiring regulatory consent.
• A proven ability to assess, interpret and clearly and confidently guide the business on addressing material regulatory changes.
• Subject matter expertise in UCITS, AIFMD and MiFID.
• Understanding of legal and regulatory risks associated with the investments business and legal options required to manage these risks.
• Excellent prioritising, multitasking and time management skills
• Excellent legal document drafting skills.
• Proactive self starter with ability to work autonomously
• Ability to take the initiative; identify areas for enhanced efficiency and issues that go beyond the specific project requested by the internal client.
• Ability to clearly articulate and educate boards and other stakeholders on key legal and regulatory issues and developments and manage expectations regarding timeframes and project completions.
• Confidence in explaining and defending advice given with the ability to take risk-based decisions.
• Team player mentality and able to work effectively within a small team.

What makes you stand out:

• Knowledge of regulation affecting Mercer’s fund products (in particular SFDR) and investment management.
• Experience of successfully managing product authorisation/change projects with regulators in particular the CBI.
• Demonstrated track record in presenting, educating and advising fund boards and governance committees.

We embrace a culture that celebrates and promotes the many backgrounds, heritages and perspectives of our colleagues and clients regardless of their gender expression or identity, marital or civil partnership status, ethnic origin, nationality, age, background, disability, sexual orientation or beliefs. We are proud of our inclusive culture where everyone feels empowered to bring their whole selves to work and thrive. Learn more about our foundational values, mission and vision for the future by reviewing our Greater Good Policy.