What does this job entail?
Within KBC’s legal department – one of the largest in-house legal teams in Belgium – you will take on a role with a high level of autonomy, focusing on derivatives and capital markets transactions. You will apply your expertise to ensure that contractual and legal risks are properly identified and mitigated.
In addition, you will contribute at a policy, structural and strategic level, actively thinking along about how we can further improve our processes, governance and cooperation with the business.
As an expert in derivatives and capital markets transactions, KBC offers a broad and diverse scope, including:
- Derivatives transactions for risk hedging purposes in an international context, such as options, swaps and forward contracts linked to interest rates, currencies and equities;
- Repurchase transactions (repos) and securities lending transactions;
- Equity capital markets (ECM) transactions such as Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), Rights Issues, Accelerated Bookbuild Offerings (ABOs), takeover bids and public M&A;
- Debt capital markets (DCM) transactions such as the issuance of commercial paper, private placements and public offerings of bonds, including green bonds;
- Treasury transactions for the KBC Group, including the issuance of AT1, T2, MREL senior debt, covered bonds and securitisations;
- Structured notes, warrants and other structured products.
You will join a team of five enthusiastic colleagues with a positive drive. You can also expect many stimulating interactions with internal commercial, legal and operational teams across KBC, including senior management, as well as with KBC clients, external law firms and regulators.
What do we expect from you?
- You draft, review and negotiate contracts and transaction documentation relating to derivatives and capital markets transactions (including ISDA, CSA, GMRA, ECM, DCM and treasury documentation). You are involved from the very start of a transaction, gaining a close-up view of KBC Group’s activities across these markets.
- You closely follow relevant developments in financial law and related legal areas impacting derivatives and capital markets, at both Belgian and European level (e.g. EMIR, prospectus regulation). You continuously build and deepen your expertise and contribute to policy discussions.
- You advise the business on the impact of legal and regulatory developments, support the implementation of new legislation and regulations within KBC, and engage in lobbying activities where appropriate.
- When new products are developed, you advise business stakeholders on the applicable legal and regulatory framework.
- You proactively identify opportunities to organise regulatory implementation and collaboration with the deal teams in an efficient way, including strategic and technical implementation aspects.
- You provide training and knowledge-sharing sessions to colleagues within your areas of expertise.
Your key strengths?
- You hold a Master’s degree in Law, preferably from a Belgian university. You have a strong interest in financial law and capital markets.
- You have at least three years of transactional experience, and drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts comes naturally to you. Prior experience in derivatives and/or capital markets is a strong asset.
- This position is also open to candidates with transactional experience in other areas such as finance, lending, private equity or M&A, who are keen to broaden their scope and develop expertise in derivatives and capital markets.
- You communicate clearly and persuasively in English and have at least a passive knowledge of Dutch. You are a confident negotiator.
- You get energy from bringing transactions and projects to a successful conclusion. Thanks to your strong organisational skills, clear communication and priority-setting, you do so efficiently.
- Even under pressure or when facing resistance from counterparties, you remain constructive and solution-oriented.
- You enjoy building bridges and acting as a true business partner, looking beyond the status quo and spotting opportunities for structural improvement.
What can we offer you?
- KBC is one of the few major banks still headquartered in Belgium and is a recognised expert in derivatives and capital markets transactions. Moreover, KBC’s legal department is one of the largest in-house legal teams in the country.
- You can count on excellent onboarding, strong collegiality and a pleasant working atmosphere. From day one, experienced colleagues will support you and be available to answer your questions.
- Throughout your career at KBC, we actively encourage your personal and professional development, offering a wide range of training opportunities to sharpen both your hard and soft skills.
- Your workplace is easily accessible by public transport, and you can work partly from another head office or from home. Flexible working hours help you balance your professional and private life.
- We offer a permanent contract with a competitive salary and additional benefits. Sounds familiar? Of course – you see this in every job ad. What sets KBC apart is its extensive flex benefits package, which we will be happy to discuss with you in detail during the interview.
Can you help us make the difference?
When you join Group Legal Transactional Products, you become part of a highly driven and diverse team. Surrounded by great colleagues and involved in challenging projects and transactions, you have plenty of opportunities to grow in different directions.
Nele
Respect and inclusion are core values at KBC. We believe that the individuality of our employees and the diversity of our teams are key to achieving great things. That’s why we recruit new employees based on talent and motivation, regardless of their background or story.
We work closely together to be the reference in the financial sector by innovating, greening and connecting. Interested in joining a ‘Top Employer’ and contributing to new ideas and solutions that help our customers and society move forward?
If this ticks all your boxes, apply now so we can get to know you. And if there are any specific things you’d like us to consider in your application, please let us know. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
