Legal Counsel - Vice President - (Frankfurt)

Profile Summary

For Mizuho Bank Europe N.V. (MBE), part of the leading international financial Mizuho Group, we are currently recruiting a Legal Counsel, to be based in Frankfurt, Germany. The ideal candidate is a self-starter and holds a German law degree and is fluent in German and English.

As a Legal Counsel you will be part of the dedicated Legal, Regulatory & Corporate Affairs (“LRC”) team of MBE. The LRC team consist of 7 full time employees, including the Head of LRC, to whom you report directly. The LRC team is primarily located in Amsterdam, but you will also closely work with the Mizuho London legal team. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The position of Legal Counsel is a unique opportunity to be in a leading position in the heart of all commercial activities of an internationally operating bank. Your main responsibilities will be to support the commercial activities of MBE in the EMEA area, amongst which the activities of our German branch. More specifically:

• Review and draft (with or without external counsel) commercial banking documentation (e.g., loan agreements, credit facilities, trade finance documentation, security documentation and other transaction documentation).
• Advise on the structure of new transactions, amendments and restructurings of existing financial structures.
• Examine transaction documentation for consistency with internal approvals.
• Support and advise commercial staff in negotiations.
• Represent the Legal function in international consultative legal meetings, the new product approval process, and bank-wide projects (often international and multi-disciplinary).
• Coordinate and cooperate with other legal departments within the Mizuho Group.
• Manage external legal service providers together with legal colleagues.
• Strengthen the legal policy and template framework and observe/analyse changes in regulatory requirements or market standards (including LMA documentation).
• If needed, support the corporate housekeeping of MBE and its branches, including corporate governance and regulatory affairs.
• Draft and review (in-house) corporate contracts, NDAs, supplier and other third-party contracts, and provide support regarding inquiries by/to group companies, third parties or regulators.

Due to the unique position and the short hierarchical lines there are many possibilities to develop and broaden your knowledge and experience, to manage interesting files and to support projects in an environment where you can have clear added value and grow as an independent acting professional.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in German law.
• At least 4 years PQE within the banking/financial sector, or alternatively within a law firm.
• Proven experience in general with drafting and negotiating transactional documentation in English and German and more specific syndicated (LMA) and bilateral facilities and Trade Finance Products (bank guarantees, LC, Risk participations). Experience with Project and Acquisition finance, securitisations and master netting agreements (ISDA’s, DRV’s) is a plus.
• Ability to manage transactions independently, with a high-quality standard.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Pro-active, pragmatic and independent and business orientated worker with an (internal) client focus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and German.
• Team player, flexible and punctual.

What Mizuho can offer you

Here at Mizuho, there are fantastic progression opportunities and clear paths to promotion. We will give you ample opportunity to affect change and to help grow our business.

In addition to the great opportunity outlined above we are also currently able to offer:

• Mobility allowance
• Canteen subsidy
• Company pension scheme via BVV
• Life insurance
• Hybrid working model
• Fresh fruits and a wide selection of soft drinks

Mizuho is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We look forward to hearing from you.