Legal Assistant Trainee - AXA

You will join as part of the Investment20/20 programme.

Our ambition is to be a leading responsible asset manager.

At AXA IM, our purpose, to act for human progress by investing for what matters, is central to every action we take as a business.

As a responsible asset manager, we invest for the long-term to help our clients, our people and the world to prosper.

Our conviction-led approach enables us to uncover what we believe to be the best global investment opportunities across alternative and core asset classes. We are already entrusted with €844 billion in assets (as of end of December 2023).

Working as part of the AXA Group, a world leader in financial protection, our team of over 2,700 people (as of end of December 2023) around the world combine a range of specialist skills and experience to best serve the needs of our clients.

The combination of responsible, active and long-term defines our investment philosophy, but also how we run our business, what underpins our clients’ partnerships with us, and what drives our people.

Being responsible is in our DNA as a firm and is central to our ethos as an employer. It is embedded in how we grow and protect our people. It unites our team, from our leaders, to our growing number of specialists, to the newest members of our teams.

Careers at AXA IM

Empowering our people to drive progress

As part of a responsible, progressive organisation, our people help us to invest for what matters. Everyone in our diverse, global family shares this responsibility.

Together our people push boundaries and drive forward ideas. They’re willing to be bold and take the lead, using initiative and enterprise to create exceptional service. The kind of service that seeks to drive long-term prosperity for our clients, society and the world we live in.

Diversity and Inclusion

Thrive within a diverse community

At AXA IM, inclusion and diversity are closely linked to our values and to our culture of respect for employees, clients and the communities around us. We always aim to create an environment where everyone feels they belong, are included and can thrive within a diverse community.

Further information on Inclusion and Diversity and AXA IM visit our website.

Programme information

You will join as a trainee as part of the Investment20/20 one-year trainee programme. While we can’t guarantee a permanent position at the end of the 12-month contract, however, if you perform well & if we have an open position available at the time, then permanent employment could be a possibility. The Investment20/20 trainee programme is offered by many investment management firms and 75% of the 2,000 Investment20/20 trainees are offered permanent positions at the end of the one year.

As a trainee, you will be introduced to investment management and you will gain industry knowledge, experience and develop relationships to progress your career and develop skills to secure a permanent role. We will support you in achieving/starting a professional qualification if this is something you are interested in doing (most firms offer it and we highly recommend doing so). As part of the Investment20/20 programme, you will have opportunities to meet and network with over 300 trainees across the industry and participate in socials and insight events.

Our trainee programme is a fixed term one-year contract paying £28,000. You will receive 27 days annual leave. All roles are based in London.

The Team

The UK Legal team is part of AXA Investment Manager’s global legal team and provides legal services to the AXA Investment Managers Group in the UK ("AXA IM”).

The UK Legal team consist of 10 lawyers supporting the UK asset management business. The team provides support to the UK Institutional and Retail Funds business, the Alternatives business and fund ranges, the investment teams, trading and derivatives desks, the procurement and corporate contracts teams and the boards of the operating and service companies through which the UK asset management business is conducted.

Responsibilities include

• Researching legislative and regulatory developments affecting AXA IM in the UK and Ireland.
• Providing assistance on the on-going governance relating to AXA fund ranges in the UK and Ireland.
• Assisting with the provision of legal support in respect of client relationships primarily located in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Ireland and France.
• Assisting with initiatives to launch new funds or make changes to the existing fund ranges and to market funds or products in relevant jurisdictions.
• Assisting with the implementation and review of contracts with key service providers to AXA IM in the UK.
• Assisting with trading queries and agreements.
• Reviewing, organising and filing contracts and agreements.

Skills and requirements

If you are a school/college leaver or graduate who has an interest in working within financial services and has the following attributes, we are interested in hearing from you:

Education qualifications: This role would be suitable for a Law graduate or school/college leaver who has studied Law either as a main subject or in combination with another subject.

Technical skills:

• Interest in legal drafting and research.
• Able to work autonomously.
• Interest in the legal and regulatory environment applicable to asset management

Key Competencies:

• Ambitious and willing to learn
• Positive attitude
• Ability to solve problems and find solutions
• A good team player
• Good attention to detail

How to apply

Apply online with your CV and a cover letter including your answers to the following four questions in 250 words each answer:

• Why are you applying for this particular traineeship?
• Tell us about the most interesting project or piece of work you have completed as part of your studies at either school/college or university. What did you have to do and what interested you most about it?
• What interests you about a career in Law and Asset Management?
• Why have you applied to AXA Investment Managers?

We are an inclusive employer. Please let the recruitment team know if you have a disability, condition or difference that may require us to make adjustments .

Key dates

Online applications close: 21st June 2024

Start date: September 2024

Successful candidates will be asked to attend a competency interview followed by further operational interviews and an HR interview at the end of the process

Unsuccessful candidates at CV submission stage will be notified by email.

If you have been unsuccessful with your application you can always consider other trainee opportunities.

About AXA

The AXA Group is a global leader in insurance and asset management, with 160,000 employees serving 105 million customers in 62 countries.

We protect and advise our clients at every stage of their lives, offering products and services that meet their needs in the areas of insurance, personal protection, savings and asset management.

Our mission: To act for human progress by protecting what matters

Our values: Customer first, Integrity, Courage and One AXA