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(Senior) Legal Counsel - Investment Operations (f/m/d)

Upvest GmbH· Banking
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Hybrid (Berlin)Full-timePosted 5mo ago

About the role

Legal counsel focused on post-trade operations (clearing, settlement, custody) for Upvest, covering EU/UK/Switzerland regulatory compliance, contracting with post-trade infrastructure, and legal operations modernization.

Responsibilities

  • Post-Trade Legal Coverage: Advise on the legal framework governing clearing, settlement, and custody operations, ensuring processes remain compliant with applicable regulation at every step of the transaction lifecycle.
  • Custody & Safekeeping: Own the legal framework around client asset protection and safekeeping obligations; monitor sub-custodian arrangements to regulatory standard.
  • Counterparty & Operational Contracting: Lead negotiation and ongoing management of agreements with CCPs, CSDs, custodians, and other post-trade providers; maintain robust, scalable contracts.
  • Regulatory Navigation: Serve as internal expert on post-trade regulation across EU and German law; translate MiFID, WpDVerOV, CSDR, MaRisk implications into guidance for Operations, Compliance, and Finance.
  • Operational Risk & Incident Support: Collaborate with Operations and Compliance to respond to post-trade incidents and settlement failures; develop playbooks for fast, legally defensible responses.
  • Legal Ops & Automation: Drive modernization of the legal function with scalable contracting, AI-assisted review workflows, and documentation standards.

Qualifications

  • At least 3–5 years post-qualification experience (PQE) in the financial services industry.
  • At least one German legal qualification (Erste Juristische Prüfung).
  • Hands-on understanding of clearing, settlement, and custody mechanics with experience working with CCPs, CSDs, or custodians.
  • Experience in a regulated investment firm, custodian bank, CSD, infrastructure provider, or fintech with a meaningful post-trade footprint.
  • Strong command of EU and German financial law relevant to post-trade operations (MiFID, CSDR, WpDVerOV, MaRisk); exposure to UK regulation (FCA) or other NCAs is a plus.
  • International mindset and ability to adapt legal frameworks across European markets.
  • Enthusiasm for technology-driven legal operations, including AI-assisted review and streamlined processes.
  • Pragmatic, business-focused with clear legal judgment for operational guidance.
  • Languages: Professional fluency in English and German.

Skills

Required:Post-trade regulatory knowledgeContract negotiation and managementEnglish & German fluency

Benefits

  • 30 days of annual leave
  • Sports benefits
  • Confidential professional coaching
  • Remote work abroad up to 183 days/year
  • UpRest: one-month fully paid sabbatical after every 4 years at Upvest
  • Personal development budget
  • Flexible hybrid/remote work from Berlin, London, or Tallinn
  • Competitive salary and equity program
  • Team celebrations
  • Inclusive culture with ERGs (Upfem, UpVergent)
Last updated Sep 30, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Upvest GmbH

One Investment API, to build any investment experience.

Upvest GmbH is supported by the Pro FIT-Program of Investitionsbank Berlin with the goal to research and develop a prediction tool for blockchain transaction fees. This project was co-financed by the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRE).

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