Worker Type:

Legal Counsel - Americas

Purpose:

Provide legal advice and legal risk management support to NAB’s Americas businesses, including corporate and institutional banking, capital markets, securities activities and branch operations. Partner with business, Risk, Compliance, Finance, Operations and senior management to support commercial outcomes while ensuring compliance with applicable US laws, banking and securities regulations and NAB Group policies. Working closely with the Head of Legal – Americas, assist in the delivery of legal support across transactional, regulatory, governance and operational matters affecting NAB’s Americas operations. 

Capabilities, Experience & Qualification Requirements

Essential capabilities

• Strong technical legal skills
• Sound commercial judgement
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Curiosity and willingness to develop expertise across multiple legal disciplines
• Proactive and solutions-focused mindset
• Effective organisational and matter management skills
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development
• Ability to work independently while recognizing Legal risk and escalation points

Experience and qualifications

• Approximately 4-8 years post-qualification experience in a financial institution or major law firm
• Experience supporting lending, capital markets and securities activities
• Juris Doctor or foreign equivalent; admitted and in good standing in at least one jurisdiction
• Demonstrated ability to analyze legal issues and provide practical advice under supervision.
• Experience working collaboratively with internal stakeholders and external advisers.

Key accountabilities and decisions

• Analyse legal issues and provide recommendations on transactions and business initiatives, escalating material matters to the Head of Legal - Americas.
• Support delivery of legal advice for designated corporate banking and capital markets transactions.
• Negotiate, review and approve transaction and other legal documentation within delegated authority and established standards.
• Manage work-flow with internal stakeholders, including scope, quality and timeliness of review.
• Support governance, regulatory, audit and assurance activities affecting the Americas businesses and subsidiaries.
• Escalate material legal, conduct, regulatory and reputational risks to the Head of Legal – Americas and relevant forums.
• Support legal oversight of key governance, regulatory and supervisory interactions affecting the New York branch.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of legal risk management frameworks, policies and controls.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide timely, practical and risk-based legal advice on lending, capital markets, commercial and general corporate matters.
• Draft, review and negotiate transaction documents for corporate lending, underwriting, distribution groups.
• Consistently expand technical knowledge necessary to deliver strong transactional outcomes
• Assist Risk, Compliance, Audit, Finance, Operations and business teams to identify, manage and escalate legal, documentation and transactional risk issues.
• Drive continuous improvement of legal processes, precedents, knowledge resources and technology solutions.
• Promote effective legal risk management through training, awareness initiatives and stakeholder engagement
• Support Head of Legal – Americas and NAB Group Legal teams (where appropriate) in advising on banking regulation, sanctions, conduct, privacy, information security and other regulatory requirements.
• Support Head of Legal – Americas in advising on governance matters relating to NAB’s New York branch and NAB Securities LLC.

Key Interfaces

• Head of Legal - Americas
• Americas business, support and control functions
• C&IB Legal, International Legal and other NAB Legal & Regulatory teams
• Risk, Compliance, Audit, Finance, Operations and Corporate Secretariat
• External counsel and other professional advisers

KPIs

• Legal advice is timely, practical, risk-based and commercially focused.
• Material legal regulatory and reputational risks are appropriately identified, assessed, managed and escalated.
• NAB Americas businesses receive effective support on transactions, strategic initiatives, governance and regulatory projects.
• Continuous improvement initiatives are delivered, resulting in enhanced efficient, risk management and stakeholders outcomes.
• All policy, control and compliance requirements are met and issues or breaches are escalated when identified.

It’s more than a career at NAB. It’s about more opportunity, more moments to make a difference and more focus on you.

Your job is just one part of your life. When you bring your ideas, energy, and hunger for growth to us, you’ll be recognised and rewarded for your contribution in return. You’ll have our support to excel for our customers, deliver positive change for our communities and grow your career. 

A diverse and inclusive workplace works better for everyone.
At NAB, we’re intent on building a culture we can all be proud of. One based on trust and respect. An uplifting environment where every single one of us feels appreciated and empowered to be our true, authentic selves. A diverse and inclusive workplace where our differences are celebrated, and our contributions are valued. It’s a huge part of what makes NAB such a special place to be.