Position Overview
Apollo is a high-growth, global alternative asset manager. In our asset management business, we seek to provide our clients excess return at every point along the risk-reward spectrum from investment grade to private equity with a focus on three investing strategies: yield, hybrid, and equity. For more than three decades, our investing expertise across our fully integrated platform has served the financial return needs of our clients and provided businesses with innovative capital solutions for growth. Through Athene, our retirement services business, we specialize in helping clients achieve financial security by providing a suite of retirement savings products and acting as a solutions provider to institutions. Our patient, creative, and knowledgeable approach to investing aligns our clients, businesses we invest in, our employees, and the communities we impact, to expand opportunity and achieve positive outcomes.
Come to Apollo and join a community of extraordinary people who are committed to a culture of excellence and collaboration in everything that we do. We invest in our people for the long term and are committed to supporting their development at every stage of their career.
The Legal Counsel, ESG will be a member of the ESG Legal team and will report to the Managing Director, ESG. The team is responsible for providing day-to-day legal support and strategic advice on sustainable finance & ESG matters, including but not limited to new and emerging UK and EU regulatory regimes.
Primary Responsibilities
- Be a main point of contact and legal subject matter authority on sustainable finance/ESG matters and associated projects.
- Provide detailed technical advice, analysis and clarification on the legal and regulatory obligations arising from current and future European rules, guidance and regulation in respect of sustainable finance, including for example: Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), EU Taxonomy Regulation, MiFID II Delegated Acts and equivalent U.K. market requirements in relation to the integration of ESG within the asset management and distribution framework, including for example: the FCA’s ESG Sourcebook and Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR).
- Advise and support Apollo’s Legal, Compliance, Public Policy, Communications, and Investment teams on legal and regulatory requirements arising on the integration and implementation of sustainable finance measures as they pertain to Apollo’s European business.
- Collaborate with Apollo businesses on the implementation of sustainable finance requirements into their areas of responsibility and coverage.
- Engage credibly with senior internal partners and collaborate with colleagues across the European (and global) business.
- Enhance your impact by developing and maintaining knowledge and awareness of the investment industry, regulatory and/or policy changes with potential impact on Apollo’s business, in the area of sustainable finance.
Qualifications & Experience
- Qualified lawyer with minimum eight years’ plus PQE spent working in-house for a financial institution and/or in a private practice law firm.
- Experienced in advising on UK and European financial regulation in an asset management context, both in the retail and institutional space and cross border. Previous demonstrable experience of working on sustainable finance measures is required.
- Familiarity with relevant frameworks and standards, including for example: the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board (SASB), the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), the recommendations of the Task Force for Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD), and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).
- A demonstrated ability to work on complex legal issues and to function in a high volume / fast-paced environment with multiple and diverse responsibilities, handling a varied and changing workload.
- Enthusiastic and hard-working self-starter.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, analytical and drafting skills, an organized approach with strong attention to detail and the ability to work independently on demanding legal issues and to tight deadlines.
- Top academic credentials in law from a top university
- Thinks critically and proposes business-oriented solutions that combine excellent judgement, creativity, risk-management and technical expertise
- Can work independently, as well as in collaborative partnership with the broader European and global legal team; strong desire to learn
- Thrives in a fast-paced, rigorous work environment; effectively prioritizes and meets deadlines
Apollo provides equal employment opportunities regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, veteran status, sex or sexual orientation, or any other criterion or circumstance protected by applicable law, ordinance, or regulation. The above criteria are intended to be used as a guide only – candidates who do not meet all the above criteria may still be considered if they are deemed to have relevant experience/ equivalent levels of skill or knowledge to fulfil the requirements of the role. Roles are conditional upon and subject to satisfactory reference and background screening checks, as well as all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals or certifications as required from time to time.