Director and Associate General Counsel

Job description

About KPMG International

Together with more than 273,000 colleagues in 143 countries throughout our member firms, people at KPMG imagine big ideas and bring solutions to life for clients both big and small. A role with KPMG International will open a world of opportunity in your career.

KPMG International helps set the strategy and protects the reputation of this global organization of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We deliver value to our member firms and drive positive change in the communities we serve. By joining us you will gain a unique understanding of how a global organization operates and work on projects that impact the whole organization. From setting standards and best practices to developing innovative tech- enabled solutions for clients, you'll be part of a global team changing the way our business operates. We look forward to welcoming you to our team.

About this team

The International Office of the General Counsel (IOGC) is a growing and high-performing in-house legal team with personnel based in five countries. The team provides legal advice on a wide variety of key strategic matters and legal, regulatory and reputational issues and risks, and also supports the execution of critical business decisions made by KPMGI.

Role summary

This role is an important part of IOGC. It involves the provision of legal advice to the leadership of KPMG International (such as the Global Board and Global Management Team) and their teams on a wide variety of key strategic issues, as well as supporting the execution of key business decisions made by KPMG International and the global network of member firms in dealing with legal, regulatory and reputational issues and risks for the organization.  

Key Accountability

Strategic Matters that promote and support KPMG’s Growth and/or Trust

• Working collaboratively with a Partner to lead on legal advice on key network strategic initiatives which are essential to the successful execution of the KPMG’s Collective Strategy, whether they relate to the governance and structuring of KPMG International and the KPMG member firms, the terms of the network arrangements (including key policies) between KPMG International and the member firms across the world or ways in which KPMGI can coordinate and facilitate the collaboration of member firms in their provision of high quality client services.
• Working collaboratively with a Partner to lead on providing legal advice and support to KPMGI leaders and their teams on aspects of managing significant brand & risks or their aftermath that involve use of skills and experience in the areas of our network arrangements, setting up/winding down businesses, governance, financing and/or corporate structuring (eg contentious withdrawal of firm from the network, establishment of a new firm in a greenfield environment or contingency planning).
• Work on these strategic matters requires substantial influencing of, and collaboration with, KPMGI leaders and their teams, particularly the Global functions, Global Quality & Risk Management and other Global groups (such as KPMGI Tax and Global Finance), including understanding and clarifying their commercial, financial and regulatory requirements and needs. It also involves working with and influencing other senior lawyers, including General Counsels, in key member firms. The person in this role is expected to execute their responsibilities on these matters:

(a)  with a significant degree of autonomy while exercising appropriate judgment on when to consult/escalate;

(b) in part, through managing/supervising other lawyers or non-legal professionals; and

(c) using their substantial legal experience of international corporate transactions, structuring,  governance and cross-border legal matters and in leading advice on matters involving the laws of, and legal and other professionals in, multiple jurisdictions 

Corporate Legal Matters

• Leading provision of legal advice on corporate and finance legal matters relating to KPMG International itself and its related entities (not the member firms) with the objective of achieving compliance with applicable laws and regulations (including statutory corporate reporting requirements) and our governance arrangements.
• Leading the provision of legal advice on corporate transactions between, or corporate structuring involving, KPMG International and one or more member firms (that are not Network Strategic Initiatives) such as financial support for a member firm.
• Leading provision of legal advice relating to constitutional matters within the KPMG Network and the legal relationship between KPMG International and member firms (such as admission of new member firms).

• This work requires substantial influencing of, and collaboration with, KPMGI leaders and their teams (particularly the Global COO team, the Regional COO teams, KPMGI Tax and Global Finance), including understanding and clarifying their commercial, financial and regulatory requirements and needs. It also involves working with and influencing other senior lawyers, including General Counsels, in relevant member firms. The person in this role is expected to execute their responsibilities on these matters:

(a)  with minimal supervision from a Partner, while exercising appropriate judgment on when to consult/escalate; and

(b) in part, through managing/supervising other lawyers or non-legal professionals.

Commercial Legal Matters

• Leading the provision of advice and support to Global groups on a wide variety of policy matters, including provision of legal advice on the interpretation of existing KPMG International policies and drafting of new KPMG International policies to be considered by the Global Steering Groups. If approved, such policies become binding standards with which member firms must comply.
• Leading provision of commercial legal advice for Global groups such as providing legal advice on global internal and external communications (including voluntary reporting) and the content of underwriting information provided to insurers.
• This work requires substantial influencing of, and collaboration with, KPMGI leaders and their teams (particularly the Global COO team, the Regional COO teams, KPMGI Tax and Global Finance), including understanding and clarifying their commercial, financial and regulatory requirements and needs. It also involves working with and influencing other senior lawyers, including General Counsels, in relevant member firms. The person in this role is expected to execute their responsibilities on these matters:

(a)  with minimal supervision from a Partner, while exercising appropriate judgment on when to consult/escalate; and

(b) in part, through managing/supervising other lawyers or non-legal professionals

People management and leadership
 

• Supporting IOGC leadership to develop best practice and support the training of IOGC lawyers, as well as delivering training to other Global teams.
  Oversees and performance manages lawyers at Assistant General Counsel (Global Senior Manager) level and below.
• Building relationships with key stakeholders across the network including with members of other General Counsel teams.
• Leading by example by proactively contributing to a culture where wellbeing is a top priority.
• Leading by example in helping others navigate performance or knowledge gaps or opportunities.
• Encouraging and recognizing achievements of, and innovation by, others.
• Taking a leading role in recruiting and onboarding programs.

Experience & Knowledge

• As a guide, at least 10 years PQE (or equivalent, if not UK qualified), with significant experience in leading the provision of corporate and commercial legal advice to clients operating in global business environments. Such experience is likely to include advising on corporate/commercial/finance matters in areas such as governance and corporate structuring, investments (including equity and debt), acquisitions, disposals and cross border legal risks and regulations.
   
• Significant experience in leading on matters involving the laws of, and legal and other professionals in, multiple jurisdictions with minimal direction or supervision, and having a proactive work style.
   
• Significant experience in handling multiple matters presenting atypical issues, including being able to quickly ascertain the key legal issues from multiple different areas of the law that require analysis.   

• Significant experience in using strong influencing and negotiation skills to establish strong relationships with individuals and groups at all levels across the global organization.

• Ability to quickly absorb, process and analyze a large amount of information in respect of complex issues, which may be provided by stakeholders orally and/or in written form across multiple documents.
   
• Ability to manage and prioritize a large volume of complex matters with competing deadlines and different internal stakeholders.

• Experience in, and proficient at, instructing and managing external counsel on significant matters, including being appropriately aware of, and sensitive to, the overall relationship between KPMGI and the external counsel.
   

• Ability to manage legal and other professionals in cross border matters involving multiple jurisdictions with well-developed cultural sensitivity to enable engagement with people at all levels and with diverse backgrounds.

• Experience in overseeing/leading on complex strategic programs and projects acting as a key contact with senior stakeholders. There is likely to be a stronger focus on managing internal client interactions than managing the details of the assignment and a demonstrated ability to understand overall key priorities and dependencies. 

• Experience in driving initiatives that promote cross functional communication, team working and knowledge sharing. 

• Experience in developing best practice in area of expertise to positively impact the work of others and the results of the firm. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills and experience in building and maintaining relationships with key business leads and senior stakeholders  including ability to lead discussions with senior leadership. 

• Knowledge of global business, geopolitical, legal, regulatory and technology issues/trends which may be relevant to KPMG and the Audit profession more broadly and uses it as appropriate context when advising on matters and shares this knowledge within IOGC.

• Ability to perform as people management leader (PML) and pastoral skills, including managing performance assessment, development and underperformance.

• Ability to ensure wellbeing matters are properly handled and resolved by demonstrating empathy and awareness of team. 

• Ability to participate in IOGC’s recruitment efforts in a way that is fully aligned with being an advocate for equality. 

• Experience in leading discussions, as required, with external third parties, such as vendors.    

• Ability to diplomatically sensitive messages in conflict situations and displays confidence and expertise even in difficult or stressful situations. 

• Demonstrates good judgment in consulting with/escalating issues to relevant IOGC Partner(s) and/or internal client in an appropriate way. 

• Takes a key role in supporting IOGC’s effort to use innovative approaches in our practice management initiatives.

• Well-developed commercial acumen.

Technical Skills, abilities & qualifictions

• UK qualified lawyer (or equivalent if qualified outside of the UK) 
• Advanced technical legal skills, particularly in the areas of international corporate transactions and structuring, contract, tort, corporate governance and cross-border commercial law issues.
• Advanced legal drafting skills. 
• Advanced communication skills to enable the translation of complex legal and regulatory issues into easily understandable advice. 
• Advanced negotiation and analytical skills. 
• Ability to advise based on first principles. 
• Strong people management and presentation skills.

Agile/Flexible Working

At KPMG International, we are supportive of helping you to achieve a balance between your home and work demands. We are happy to discuss individual requirements and our range of flexible working arrangements could be of interest. Please ask to find out more.

KPMG International's commitment to inclusion & diversity

At KPMG International, we recognise that we need inclusion and diversity to be successful. We want to attract, retain and develop diverse talent at all levels. This means recruiting from the widest pool of talent across our network and beyond, removing barriers that can prevent our people from reaching their full potential, and fostering a fully inclusive environment which empowers everyone to bring their whole selves to work.

Applying with a disability

KPMG International is proud to be an inclusive place to work and we are committed to ensuring that you are treated fairly throughout our recruitment process. Should you be successful after the initial application stage, please discuss any reasonable adjustments that you may require with your recruitment team contact.