Job title: Legal Director - Trade Finance
Job type: Permanent
Industry: Legal
Sub-Functional Expertise: 7 Year PQE Director/Partner
Salary type: Annual
Salary: GBP £140,000.00
Location: London, UK
Job published: 2025-05-20
Job ID: 38110
Contact name: David Hawthorne-Finch
Phone number: +443339962882
Contact email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com

Job Description

Job Title: Legal Director – Trade Finance
Location: Central London (Office-Based)
Salary: £110,000 – £140,000 + Bonus + Benefits

A leading London law firm is hiring a Legal Director to join its growing Trade Finance team. This is a key appointment aimed at strengthening leadership capacity and supporting long-term growth.

You’ll be joining as a senior legal hire, with the track record and ambition to step into a Director or Partner position.

 

The Role

You will:

  • Lead trade finance matters from instruction to completion

  • Draft and negotiate trade finance agreements and related documentation

  • Advise on a broad range of trade finance products, including:

    • Trade loans

    • Discounting letters of credit

    • B2B trade finance

    • Debt finance with a trade element

    • Bonds and guarantees

    • Asset and receivables-based lending

    • Resource-based lending

  • Review and advise on CIF and FOB contracts, letters of credit, and cross-jurisdictional transactions

  • Work independently across deals and client matters

  • Build relationships with existing clients and generate new business

  • Collaborate with senior leadership to shape team strategy

  • Mentor junior lawyers and contribute to internal development

 

What You’ll Bring

  • 7+ years’ PQE as a Trade Finance lawyer

  • Strong experience in private practice

  • Ability to manage complex transactions independently

  • Confident in drafting and advising on trade finance documentation

  • Exposure to a range of trade finance structures across sectors and jurisdictions

  • Commercial awareness and a client-focused approach

  • Experience in business development and expanding client portfolios

 

The Offer

  • Clear step into Director / Partner level

  • Leadership role with input into team direction

  • Office-based, working from a prime Central London location

  • Strong firm-wide collaboration and client support

  • Competitive salary and bonus structure

 

Keen to lead a high-performing Trade Finance team in a top-tier London firm?


Apply now or contact Mara now in confidence on 0333 996 2882 or email m.watson@h-fts.com