Optiver is looking for a highly-motivated and detail-oriented Paralegal to work closely with the UK Head of Legal in our London office. In this role, you’ll be a crucial support pillar in our Legal function and the primary point of contact for a variety of day to day tasks. You’ll have the opportunity to help establish, define and improve a number of business critical projects and controls, hone your technical knowledge of, and gain exposure to, trading and financial markets, while collaborating with external counsel and building relationships with stakeholders throughout the business. We’re looking for a self-starter who wants to embrace a fast-paced environment and contribute to the development of our local and global team.

Who we are:

Optiver is a tech-driven trading firm and leading global market maker. As one of the oldest market making institutions, we are a trusted partner of 70+ exchanges across the globe. Our mission is to constantly improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and acting as a stabilising force no matter the market conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we participate in the safeguarding of healthy and efficient markets for everyone who participates.

As one of the world’s major financial centres, London was selected as the home of Optiver’s FX trading business, our UK-focused Institutional Trading Team and rapidly growing commodities trading arm. Optiver UK is located in a city that bridges European, Asian and American time zones, connecting our regional offices and embracing a truly global mind-set. London is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and is home to some of the best museums, a thriving international restaurant scene and bustling high streets that attract people from all over the globe.

What you’ll do:

• Support the Legal function by carrying out legal research, helping to triage legal questions and acting as a single point of contact for day to day tasks. 
• Provide administration support including filing, execution and archiving of contracts.
• Creation and maintenance of a legal filing and know how system that ensures accuracy, confidentiality and maintenance of legal privilege where relevant. 
• Take a lead on corporate governance processes by coordinating board meetings and preparing board packs.
• Maintain an organised and up to date policy house for the UK.
• Provide general legal support including contract review and management, updating, and maintaining templates, maintaining corporate entities and formalities, and assisting with general corporate matters.
• Support the Head of Legal with ad-hoc projects, as required.
• Collaborate with other teams, external counsel and corporate secretarial providers as required and assist with monitoring legal spend and invoice management.
• Assist with the planning, design and implementation of projects and controls.
• Assist with training sessions for other teams.
• Follow process controls and make recommendations to improve the efficiency, control, and work quality of existing legal and compliance processes.
• General legal and administration support.

Who you are:

• An undergraduate degree.
• At least 1 year's experience in a legal and/or compliance team, law firm or professional services firm.
• A proactive and self-motivated mindset, with initiative to continuously improve processes.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment that encourages effective collaboration, intellectual curiosity and problem solving.
• Ability to develop constructive professional relationships across the business.
• High level of integrity and ethical standards.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal with a strong attention to detail.
• Strong IT literacy.
• Knowledge of financial products and financial services regulation helpful but not a prerequisite.

What you’ll get:

At Optiver UK, you will be part of a well-established and high-performing global firm whilst experiencing the excitement that comes from a growing operation. As our London operations grow, the opportunity to make a global impact and take your career to a new level expands with it. We offer a supportive environment for you to perform at your best. Some of our key benefits include:

• Competitive remuneration;
• 27 paid vacation days (plus UK public holidays);
• Daily onsite breakfast and lunch;
• Paid commuting expenses (home to office);
• 50% paid gym subscription;
• Private medical insurance;
• Pension scheme;
• Training, conference attendance and continuous learning opportunities;
• International transfer opportunities.

How to apply:

Apply directly via the form below and please provide us with a CV and letter of motivation in English. Should there be a potential match, a member of our team will reach out sooner rather than later. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to [email protected].

When applying for a role with Optiver UK Limited, the recruitment process is run via our Optiver global recruitment team. The personal data you will submit as part of the recruitment process may be processed in the UK, US and the Netherlands. By continuing with your application you hereby consent to your personal data being processed in these locations. More information on how Optiver processes your personal data can be found in our Privacy Policy.

As an intentionally flat organisation, we believe that great ideas and impact can come from everyone. We are passionate about empowering individuals and creating diverse teams that thrive. Every person at Optiver should feel included, valued and respected, because we believe our best work is done together.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is hardwired through every stage of our hiring process. We encourage applications from candidates from any and all backgrounds, and we welcome requests for reasonable adjustments during the process to ensure that you can best demonstrate your abilities.