Structured Finance Associate

Help build one of London’s fastest-growing ABS practices from the ground up

An international firm is significantly expanding its London Structured Finance offering and is hiring twoEngland & Wales qualified associates (2–6 PQE) into a dedicated, growing Asset-Backed Securities practice. This is a genuine platform-building opportunity rather than joining a mature, fully-staffed team, you’ll play an active role in shaping the practice’s direction and reputation in the market.

Unlike many structured finance teams, this role is focused exclusively on ABS rather than CLOs or corporate loan securitisations ideal for lawyers who want to build a long-term specialism in the space rather than treat it as a stepping stone. You’ll work across a genuinely broad product range:

• Consumer ABS
• Auto ABS
• Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS)
• Trade receivables securitisations
• Multi-jurisdictional European securitisations
• Esoteric asset classes
• Cross-border transactions

The team works closely with the firm’s highly regarded US securitisation practice, creating regular opportunities for international, cross-border work.

What They Offer You

• Build, don’t just join. This is a lean, still-forming team you’ll have a real hand in shaping how the practice develops, not slotting into an established hierarchy.
• Early responsibility. Significant client exposure and transaction responsibility from an early stage, with regular direct partner interaction.
• Merit-based progression. Promotion runs on ability rather than pure lockstep, with scope for accelerated progression for strong performers.
• Serious investment in development. 300+ hours of annual legal and business skills training, in-person training academies, and a Global Mini-MBA programme for senior associates.
• US salary scale, with bonus eligibility from 1,950 hours (inclusive of ramp-up credit, parental leave credit, pro bono and firm contribution hours).
• Strong benefits platform, including a £500 annual wellbeing allowance, premium mental health and wellness support, generous parental leave (26 weeks primary/shared, 8 weeks secondary), and meal/taxi allowance for late working.

What We’re Looking For

• Approximately 2–6 PQE
• England & Wales qualification preferred
• Strong experience advising on ABS transactions, ideally across multiple product types
• Candidates from Elite US, Magic Circle, Silver Circle, or other leading structured finance/securitisation practices
• Broader structured finance candidates with some ABS exposure will also be considered, provided there’s a genuine, demonstrable desire to specialise in ABS long-term

Working Pattern

Hybrid working (3 days in office), with a firm-wide anchor day for in-person collaboration. Hours are generally positioned between Magic Circle and the busiest US firms, with continued hiring aimed at improving workload distribution as the team grows.

Process

A three-stage process: initial partner meeting, a second-stage conversation with wider Structured Finance partners, and a final informal meeting with associates from the team.