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Director, M&A and Strategic Transactions Legal

London, United Kingdom

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Date live: 03/02/2026

Business Area: Legal

Area of Expertise: Legal

Contract: Permanent

Reference Code: JR-0000092357

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Barclays Legal

Join the Legal team to protect Barclays, its employees, and its brands while ensuring global competitiveness and compliance with legal standards. Your responsibilities will include risk mitigation, managing strategic transactions, and overseeing business contracts.

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Barclays have a great opportunity for a Director, M&A and Strategic Transactions Legal to join our Legal team. This is a permanent role, based in London.

This is an exciting opportunity to join theMergers & AcquisitionsandStrategic Transactions (“MAST”) Legal teamat Barclays as a senior Directorand be part of the MAST Legal leadership team. The MAST Legal team covers all principal M&A, strategic minority investments, intragrouprestructuringsand other strategic transactions on behalf of the Barclays Group, globally. We advise on awiderange of transactions, including buying and selling businesses; portfolios of assets (such as loans, credit cards or other receivables); strategic internal reorganisations; joint ventures; strategic partnerships and collaborations;venture capitalinvestments in companies such asfintechs, digital assetsand climate startups (ranging from direct equity investments, investments in funds and partnerships, share warrants/SAFEs or convertible loan notes) or from debt for equity transactions; in addition to general corporate and regulatory advisory work on portfolio companies.

This is a highly strategic seniorDirectorrole with a focus on M&A transactions but with the opportunity to work on a variety of other transactional and advisory matters.This role willinvolveengagement with senior stakeholders including the Group General Counsel and other General Counsel across Barclays, as well as the Heads of Barclays Corporate DevelopmentandPrincipal Investments and members of the executive management team at Barclays including business CEOs.

The roleincludes the following responsibilities:

  • Leading and supportingcomplex, cross bordertransactions across the full transaction lifecycle, fromearlystagestrategic assessment and structuring, through to due diligence, negotiation and signing and closing.

  • Preparing and presenting clear, concise legal advice and analysis for senior management, executivecommitteesand the Board, supporting informed decisionmaking on complex transactions.

  • Identifying,assessingand coordinating the management of key legal and regulatory risks arising in transactions, working closely with subjectmatter experts across Barclays Legal and the widerBarclaysGroup.

  • Selection,instructionand management of external legal advisers globally, ensuring highquality, commercially focused advice and effective cost and risk management acrossalltransactions.

As a senior member of the MAST Legal leadership team, the rolewill involvethought leadership on market developmentsand evolving legal and regulatory risk, helping toshapebest practice across theBarclaysGroupas well as playing a key role indeveloping and drivingthe strategic direction and objectivesof a highly ambitious and successful in-house M&A/Corporate legal team.

To be successful as a Director in the MAST Legal team, you should haveexperience inall ofthe above, in addition to the following: 

  • Advising on all areas ofUKCorporate/M&A law includingUK Listing Rules

  • Ability to prioritize a high volume of work and to operateboth independently and as a global team, with strong project management andorganisational skills

  • A strongtrack recordin the following: 

  • Strong communicationskillsand attention to detail

  • Drive and commitment, including ability to deliver under pressure

  • Strong interpersonal skillstobuild keyrelationshipswith stakeholders

  • Astrongrisk and controls mindset

Some other highly valued skillsinclude: 

  • Experience inthefinancial services sector, either in-house or in private practice

  • Experience inprovidingregulatory advice in the financial services sector

  • Experience in US M&A and other corporate transactions

  • Experience of BVCAand NVCA model documentation

Purpose of the role

To ensure that the principal / own-account merger and acquisition and minority investment activities in addition to corporate reorganisations are conducted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and to help the bank manage legal risks associated with these activities. 

Accountabilities

  • Development and implementation of best practice legal strategies to identify and manage compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
  • Legal advice and support to the bank's mergers and acquisitions, minority investment and structuring teams on legal matters including due diligence, deal structuring, negotiation and drafting of legal documents and other transactional matters.
  • Representation of the bank in legal proceedings related to mergers and acquisitions, minority investments or reorganisations such as litigation, arbitration, and regulatory investigations (together with Litigation).
  • Creation, negotiation and review of legal documents such as acquisition and sale agreements, joint venture agreements, shareholder and other investment agreements and other transactional documents to ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
  • Legal research and analysis to stay up to date on changes in applicable laws, rules and regulations that may impact the bank's mergers and acquisitions, minority investment and reorganisation activities.
  • Developing and delivering training programmes to educate employees on legal and regulatory requirements related to mergers and acquisitions, minority investment and reorganisations activities.
  • Pro-active identification, communication, and provision of legal advice on applicable laws, rules and regulations (LRRs). Keeping up to date with regards to changes to LRRs in the relevant coverage area. Ensuring that LRRs are effectively allocated to, and adequately reflected within, the relevant policies, standards and controls.

Director Expectations

  • To manage a business function, providing significant input to function wide strategic initiatives. Contribute to and influence policy and procedures for the function and plan, manage and consult on multiple complex and critical strategic projects, which may be business wide..
  • They manage the direction of a large team or sub-function, leading other people managers and embedding a performance culture aligned to the values of the business. Or for an individual contributor, they lead organisation wide projects and act as deep technical expert and thought leader, identifying new ways of working and collaborating cross functionally. They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions..
  • Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions made outside of own function, offering significant input to function wide strategic initiatives.
  • Manage, coordinate and enable resourcing, budgeting and policy creation for a significant sub-function.
  • Escalates breaches of policies / procedure appropriately.
  • Foster and guide compliance, ensure regulations are observed that relevant processes in place to facilitate adherence.
  • Focus on the external environment, regulators, or advocacy groups to both monitor and influence on behalf of Barclays, when appropriate.
  • Demonstrate extensive knowledge of how the function integrates with the business division / Group to achieve the overall business objectives.
  • Maintain broad and comprehensive knowledge of industry theories and practices within own discipline alongside up-to-date relevant sector / functional knowledge, and insight into external market developments / initiatives.
  • Use interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to solve problems and design solutions in often complex/ sensitive situations.
  • Exercise management authority to make significant decisions and certain strategic decisions or recommendations within own area.
  • Negotiate with and influence stakeholders at a senior level both internally and externally.
  • Act as principal contact point for key clients and counterparts in other functions/ businesses divisions.
  • Mandated as a spokesperson for the function and business division.

All Senior Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.

Barclays welcomes applications from all candidates and is committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments (accommodations) are put in place to allow for a fair and inclusive recruitment process. For more information and how to request one, please review Adjustments to the recruitment process.

We’re a global, vital and highly respected financial organisation with an inspiring Purpose. Operating in 39 countries and employing around 100,000 people across the world, we help communities, individuals and businesses thrive. And we’ve created financial solutions and technology that the world now takes for granted. A career with us can offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience, and the chance to learn from some of the best minds in technology and finance.

To find out more about Barclays' strategy please click here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and opposed to discrimination on any grounds. It is the policy of Barclays to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

Barclays is required by law to confirm that you have the Legal Right to Work in any role that you apply for. If you currently hold a work visa sponsored by Barclays, or you would require sponsorship from Barclays, you must declare this as part of your application. Sponsored visas are role and entity specific and any changes must be reviewed. It is important that you ensure you are working on the correct visa at all times. Failure to accurately disclose your visa status or Legal Right to Work may result in your application or any employment offer being withdrawn at any time.

This is Barclays London

Our global HQ is in Canary Wharf, at the heart of London’s financial district. There are over 10,000 colleagues here – a hugely diverse workforce made up of the world’s best financial and tech talent. If you love the buzz of city life, this is the place to be.

Cycle or run to work? We’ve got everything you need – from cycle hire and parking areas to new showering and changing facilities.

CoSpace is our drop-in co-working space, where networks are built, problems are solved collectively and our community is strengthened.

Our Wellness Suite includes a well-equipped gym and exercise studios, and provides personal training sessions and massage therapy.

Our new trading floors enhance communication, integrate sustainability, and support health and wellbeing through innovative design and British-sourced furniture.

This is Barclays London

Our global HQ is in Canary Wharf, at the heart of London’s financial district. There are over 10,000 colleagues here – a hugely diverse workforce made up of the world’s best financial and tech talent. If you love the buzz of city life, this is the place to be.

Supporting active commuters

Cycle or run to work? We’ve got everything you need – from cycle hire and parking areas to new showering and changing facilities.

Time to connect

CoSpace is our drop-in co-working space, where networks are built, problems are solved collectively and our community is strengthened.

Wellbeing in focus

Our Wellness Suite includes a well-equipped gym and exercise studios, and provides personal training sessions and massage therapy.

Advanced trading floors

Our new trading floors enhance communication, integrate sustainability, and support health and wellbeing through innovative design and British-sourced furniture.

Multicultural ERGs at Barclays

Be you. Be valued. Belong.

We celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings, believing our differences make us stronger and drive success.

You can learn more about our commitment to our colleague on our Inclusion and Opportunities page.

Learn more

Application Process

Your application

We’ll ask for information about you, your CV and cover letter.

1

Your assessment

Covering your behaviours and ability at work.

2

Your interview

Exploring your past experiences and skills.

3

Next step

We’ll request additional information so that you can complete our screening process

4
How to ApplyRead our FAQ's
Barclays

Working flexibly

We’re committed to providing a supportive and inclusive culture and environment for you to work in. This environment recognises and supports your personal needs, alongside the professional needs of our business. If you'd like to explore flexible working arrangements, please discuss this with the hiring manager. Your request will be reviewed in-line with the requirements of the role/business needs of the team.

Hybrid working

We have a structured approach to hybrid working, where colleagues work at an onsite location on fixed, ‘anchor’, days, as set by the business area. Please discuss the working pattern requirements for the role you are applying for with the hiring manager. Please note that working arrangements may be subject to change on reasonable notice to ensure we meet the needs of our business.

Barclays is built on an international scale.

Our geographic reach, our wide variety of functions, businesses, roles and locations reflect the rich diversity of our worldwide customer base. All of which means we offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience.
And the chance to learn from a globally diverse mix of colleagues, including some of the very best minds in banking, finance, technology and business. Throughout, we’ll encourage you to embrace mobility, exploring every part of our operations as you build your career.

Find more information

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