Senior Legal Counsel, Securities Finance & Collateral

	TITLE	Senior Legal Counsel Securities Finance & Collateral
	START DATE	June 2026
	DURATION	Permanent
	UTILIZATION	80100% (full-time preferred)
	LOCATION(S)	Zurich Switzerland (Hybrid)
	AREA	Legal

THE ROLE

We are retained on a Senior Legal Counsel mandate for a leading Swiss financial institution in Zurich. The role sits within the securities lending and collateral function supporting a specialist desk on collateral management securities financing and the Swiss regulatory framework that governs them. Working within an internationally connected legal team the successful candidate will act as a trusted adviser to the business: translating complex regulatory requirements into clear legal processes delivering actionable guidance to senior stakeholders and operating with a high degree of autonomy. Fluency in English and German is essential.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage day-to-day legal matters relating to collateral trading and management including the drafting and negotiation of master agreements for Securities Financing Transactions (SFTs) triparty collateral agreements trade confirmations security agreements and bespoke collateral arrangements
• Provide legal counsel on capital markets securities asset management treasury and balance-sheet-related matters
• Advise on financial markets regulation with a particular focus on the Swiss regulatory landscape including FINMA requirements as they apply to securities lending collateral activity regulatory capital and balance sheet matters ensuring ongoing compliance with evolving legal and regulatory requirements
• Conduct legal and regulatory risk gap assessments and provide timely well-reasoned legal opinions on operational and legal risks
• Draft and review legal policies and guidelines ensuring they reflect current regulatory requirements and best practice
• Collaborate closely with Compliance Credit Risk Finance and Asset Management stakeholders to deliver integrated commercially sound legal solutions
• Engage with relevant industry and market associations staying ahead of developments in securities lending and collateral
• Provide periodic updates to Senior Management Internal Audit and relevant Committees on legal developments and risk matters
• Coordinate with the governance team on regulatory filings and reporting obligations
• Lead and support group-wide internal legal projects and contribute to broader Legal & Compliance initiatives

YOUR PROFILE

• Swiss-qualified lawyer admitted to practice (strong preference); an additional US or UK qualification is an advantage
• Significant senior-level experience typically 12 years post-qualification in securities lending repo collateral management and ideally derivatives gained at a leading financial services institution and/or a top-tier law firm
• Working knowledge of the Swiss regulatory framework as it applies to securities lending and collateral including FINMA requirements
• Proven expertise in drafting and negotiating financial market agreements including GMRA GMSLA CSA and related documentation
• Strong experience managing complex multi-jurisdictional matters and competing priorities delivering high-quality advice under pressure
• Fluency in English and German written and spoken enabling effective communication with internal and external stakeholders
• In-house counsel experience preferred; a background in securities lending and collateral gained on the banking side is particularly relevant
• A hands-on pragmatic and self-sufficient working style comfortable embedding with business teams and operating with a measured appetite for risk
• Ability to take full ownership of matters and operate independently from the outset
• Desirable: experience liaising with financial regulators exposure to relevant industry and market associations and a track record of leading cross-functional legal projects and presenting to senior leadership and governance committees

HOW TO APPLY
If you are interested in this opportunity please submit your CV along with a brief overview of your availability and salary expectations. For any queries please reach out to

ABOUT INTERIM LEGAL
Interim Legal is a trusted Alternative Legal Services Provider (ALSP) based in Zurich Switzerland. We help legal departments modernize their operating model while keeping the human element at its center. Specializing in various practice areas our solutions encompass commercial and corporate law healthcare and life sciences financial services technology and compliance.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• A workplace that champions diversity and inclusivity
• Opportunities for continuous growth
• Exposure to a network of legal & compliance professionals and thought leaders in the legal industry
• A competitive salary range that reflects your experience and Swiss market standards

Interim Legal is an equal opportunity employer. We are dedicated to creating an equitable workplace and encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. We believe in nurturing talent and are committed to the professional success of our team members.

Required Experience:

Senior IC

Employment Type : Full Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1