Debt Lawyer - Global Financial Institution
Debt Lawyer - Global Development Finance Institution
We're partnering with a leading international development finance institution on an exciting opportunity for an experienced finance lawyer to join their London-based legal team.
This is a rare chance to combine sophisticated cross-border debt work with genuine social purpose. The organisation invests across emerging and developing markets, helping to address some of the world's biggest development challenges through the power of investment.
What makes this opportunity particularly compelling is the breadth and impact of the work. You'll advise on complex international debt transactions spanning corporate lending, trade and supply chain finance, risk participations and innovative financing structures, while working alongside investment professionals committed to delivering both financial returns and meaningful development outcomes.
You'll join a highly collaborative legal team, partnering closely with investment colleagues from origination through to execution and portfolio management, playing a key role in supporting investments that drive sustainable economic growth across global markets.
The Opportunity
This is a broad, hands-on role offering exposure to sophisticated cross-border financing transactions and direct involvement in commercially significant investment decisions.
You'll work closely with investment teams to structure and execute debt investments, assess and manage legal risks, coordinate specialist input across functions and support innovative financing initiatives, including concessional and blended finance structures.
The environment is intellectually stimulating, entrepreneurial and purpose-driven - ideal for someone who enjoys complex work, values autonomy and wants to see the real-world impact of their advice.
Key Responsibilities
• Advise on all stages of debt investments, including structuring, negotiation, execution, syndication and portfolio management
• Support corporate lending, trade and supply chain finance transactions and risk participation structures
• Review, negotiate and draft financing documentation, including LMA facility agreements and intercreditor arrangements
• Partner closely with investment teams to identify and manage legal risks throughout the transaction lifecycle
• Project manage wider transaction workstreams involving tax, business integrity, and environmental and social considerations
• Manage relationships with external counsel and interpret due diligence findings within the commercial context
• Present legal issues and recommendations clearly to investment professionals and internal decision-making bodies
• Contribute to know-how development, precedents, and internal training initiatives
About You
• Qualified in England & Wales or New York with 4+ years' PQE
• Experience gained within the banking practice of an international law firm and/or an international financial institution
• Strong experience advising on cross-border debt transactions and corporate lending matters
• Familiarity with LMA documentation and market-standard risk allocation principles
• Commercially minded, solutions-focused, and comfortable operating independently
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Motivated by development finance and the opportunity to contribute to positive social and economic impact
• Experience across trade finance, risk participations, structured finance, sustainable finance, or debt capital markets would be advantageous
Why This Role?
• Opportunity to join a globally recognised institution operating at the intersection of finance and international development
• Work on high-profile, cross-border debt investments across emerging markets
• Combine sophisticated legal work with genuine social impact
• Significant autonomy and direct exposure to investment decision-making
• Collaborative, intellectually curious, and supportive team culture
• Exposure to innovative financing structures and impact investing initiatives
• A unique platform for lawyers seeking both technical excellence and purpose-driven work
If you're a finance lawyer looking to apply your expertise to transactions that deliver both commercial outcomes and meaningful global impact, I'd love to speak with you.
📧 Send your CV to gurleen.singh@thesjp.co.uk
💡 We also offer a generous referral bonus for successful introductions.
