Managing Associate | Employee Incentives
6+ PQE

Our client, a leading international law firm is seeking a Managing Associate to join its highly regarded Employee Incentives team in London. This team advises a broad range of clients, from FTSE-listed companies to private equity-backed businesses, financial institutions, and fast-growing companies preparing for IPO.

The Employee Incentives group is expanding due to increased client demand and new opportunities for growth across the firm. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced lawyer to join a specialist practice recognised in the market for its expertise in share plans and executive remuneration.

You will advise on the full spectrum of employee incentives and executive remuneration work, including:

• Transactional Support - Acting on UK and international corporate transactions, including listed company deals, private M&A, and private equity transactions. Advising on the impact of existing incentive arrangements, implementing replacement incentives, and preparing incentive structures for IPOs.

• Share Plans - Designing and implementing both tax-advantaged and non-tax-advantaged arrangements, such as EMI options, growth share plans, long-term incentive plans (LTIPs), and all-employee schemes.

• Bonus Arrangements - Drafting and advising on cash bonus plans, phantom equity schemes, and bespoke arrangements for clients in the UK and internationally.

• Corporate Governance & Compliance - Advising on listed company governance frameworks, remuneration reporting, and ongoing company law issues.

• Employee Trusts - Establishing, terminating, and advising employee benefit trusts, as well as acting directly for trustees.

• Appointments & Terminations - Advising employers and senior executives on equity awards, leaver provisions, and termination-related incentive arrangements.

• Employment Tax - Advising on the taxation of employment-related securities, PAYE/NIC issues, IR35, cross-border mobility, and termination payments.

• Financial Services Remuneration Codes - Supporting banks, asset managers, and financial institutions on compliance with regulatory remuneration requirements.

The successful candidate:

• 6+ years' post qualification experience with strong exposure to employee incentives and executive remuneration

• Possess a solid grounding in the UK taxation of employment-related securities

• Confident running the employee share plan aspects of corporate transactions independently

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a market-leading Employee Incentives practice within a prestigious international firm. You will work on high-quality, high-profile matters, gain exposure to a wide range of incentive structures and transactions, and benefit from working in a supportive, collegiate team environment.