Counsel, Senior Vice President – Asset Servicing Legal

Counsel, Senior Vice President – Asset Servicing Legal

At BNY, our culture allows us to run our company better and enables employees’ growth and success. As a leading global financial services company at the heart of the global financial system, we influence nearly 20% of the world’s investible assets. Every day, our teams harness cutting-edge AI and breakthrough technologies to collaborate with clients, driving transformative solutions that redefine industries and uplift communities worldwide.

Recognized as a top destination for innovators, BNY is where bold ideas meet advanced technology and exceptional talent. Together, we power the future of finance – and this is what #LifeAtBNY is all about. Join us and be part of something extraordinary.

We are looking for a self-starter to serve as Counsel, Senior Vice President to the Asset Servicing (“AS”) business. Our core AS business includes global custody, settlement and safekeeping services, fund accounting and administration, transfer agency, trustee and depositary services, middle office and data solutions; collateral management and a range of ancillary asset servicing solutions that support institutional investors, asset managers and financial institutions across global markets.

This role is in London or Manchester and is part of the EMEA Legal team. The candidate who fills this role will be expected to contribute as part of a larger team and to independently advise the business. Experience of and/or interest in fund management, financial institutions practice, technology, digital assets (e.g. cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets), and/or data and analytics, is helpful but not required. This position will require the individual to draft and negotiate a variety of contracts and other related agreements, supported by the wider AS Legal team. The successful candidate will also work closely with business colleagues in evaluating and supporting the implementation of new technologies and business strategies.

In this role, you’ll make an impact in the following ways: 

• Provide timely, practical legal advice to the Asset Servicing business on a broad range of matters, including digital assets, custody, fund services, trustee/depositary, outsourcing, strategic and regulatory change initiatives.

• Draft, review and negotiate client agreements, intra-group arrangements and other legal documentation, helping to balance commercial objectives with legal, regulatory and reputational risk.

• Partner closely with business, compliance, risk, operations and other legal colleagues to support new products, regulatory change, client opportunities and remediation activity across the Asset Servicing platforms.

• Manage outside counsel, reviewing work for appropriateness, quality and alignment to expectations.

• Identify legal risks early, provide clear options and recommendations, and help drive consistent governance, strong documentation standards and effective issue resolution in a fast-paced environment.

To be successful in this role, we’re seeking the following: 

• A qualified Solicitor or Barrister currently licensed to practice in the UK with ideally 3-8 years PQE with excellent academic credentials.

• Post-qualification experience in financial services, asset servicing, funds, custody or broader banking law, gained in a law firm, financial institution or comparable in-house legal environment.

• Strong drafting, negotiation and advisory skills, with the ability to translate complex legal and regulatory issues into clear, commercial and actionable guidance for senior stakeholders.

• Sound judgment, strong stakeholder management and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently while maintaining high standards of accuracy, responsiveness and professionalism.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.  Must be able to manage and prioritize across a large volume of complex matters with competing deadlines and different internal stakeholders.

• Strong AI literacy, including understanding how emerging AI tools can be used responsibly and effectively to enhance legal analysis, improve efficiency and support better decision-making.