About the Company

Savills Investment Management (Savills IM) is an international real estate investment manager, which is owned by Savills plc, the global real estate services group. C. 340+ staff are employed in 17 offices across Europe and Asia. Gross assets under management are c. EUR 24bn, predominantly in pooled funds and separate accounts.

Savills IM is in a rapid growth phase, expanding its global presence as well as the products and services offered, that post acquisition of a relevant shareholding in DRC SIM now encompasses both Equity and Private debt funds. An expanded product range investing in a larger number of countries and property types, a greater number of investment professionals and a desire to continue developing innovative products means that there should be suitable focus on investment process and performance.

About the Job

The role is to support the General Legal Counsel in providing an effective legal function to the Savills IM group. The role is based in Luxembourg, with a key component of the job focused on supporting our Luxembourg manager (AIFM) on new and existing products. The role will however be global in nature, and the incumbent will have the opportunity to work with Savills IM businesses throughout Europe and APAC on an as-needed basis. Travel will mostly be to the UK to meet colleagues and other members of the Legal function but is expected to be relatively infrequent.

The role reports to the General Counsel. The successful applicant will interact independently with business stakeholders and therefore requires excellent communication skills (verbal and written), professional judgement and an ability to build and maintain working relationships in a role that combines both support and control elements.

Key Responsibilities

Assisting and supporting the General Counsel across the spectrum of the in-house legal function, in particular:

• Providing legal support to real estate projects of strategic or key importance, including joint ventures and/or fund launches or restructurings;
• Providing legal support on real estate transactions where legal risk or complexity is identified, including attendance at transaction advisory or portfolio advisory committee meetings;
• Working with the business and overseeing external lawyers on the legal aspects of structuring and documenting new products or the amendment/restructuring of existing funds or products;
• Working with the business and Group Legal in respect of any M&A activity or intra-group matters;
• Working with the business and interacting with Compliance and other relevant teams in respect of the impact of regulatory change (including but not limited to Brexit issues);
• Working alongside the real estate business teams and Group Legal to track and manage litigation;
• Supervision of external counsels’ work, ensuring that appropriate firms are selected and engaged by Savills IM, and its investment vehicles, on appropriate terms and monitoring performance; and
• Reviewing and negotiating standalone minor agreements such as NDAs, duty of care agreements and intra-group agreements.
• Providing generalist support to the senior management and board of the Luxembourg AIFM to assist with the fulfilment of regulatory obligations.

Job Requirements:

Candidates will need to demonstrate excellent organisational and communication skills, as well as being fluent in verbal and written English. Further language skills are useful but not essential. Other key qualities include:

• Legal qualification, ideally in England or Luxembourg (other jurisdictions will be considered), with at least 3 years’ experience of real assets/alternatives funds and/or joint ventures
• an understanding of legal, regulatory and tax issues relating to real estate transactions and investment structures across Europe and Asia-Pacific, in particular the AIFM regime and the requirements of the CSSF in Luxembourg (in particular circular 18/698)
• experience in legal firm or in-house of drafting and negotiating real asset fund investments and product terms;
• ability to give practical, solutions-based legal advice appropriate to the business’ strategy and requirements
• strong communication skills and the ability to establish strong relationship within the business, Group Legal and external counsel.

This role has been established as full time but we are happy to consider flexible or part-time working requests.

What we offer:

We offer a competitive remuneration package where you’ll be rewarded for your individual performance. Our benefits include career development, competitive holiday allowance, health related (jurisdictionally specific), flexible working, savings & discounts, volunteer day and applicable local schemes. Plus we offer:

• Continuous Learning Environment: Savills IM are supportive in providing the platforms for teams to develop and grow. Opportunity for study support and fee support for qualifications and certifications
• Diverse and Inclusive Culture: We focus on building a diverse and inclusive culture at SIM, we empower teams to voice opinions and continue to drive change
• Platforms for success: Opportunities to be a part of our core committees to bring innovation and development to our growing business.

We are a committed equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race and religion. We are focused on fostering a culture and environment that allows for inclusion and diversity throughout our business. Savills IM offers several employee led forums which provide support and guidance around Diversity & Inclusion, as well as ensuring our principles are built in to all of our processes, practices and expectations.