Commercial Director, Legal

IFM Investors•New York, NY

5d•$350,000 - $390,000•Hybrid

About The Position

IFM Investors is a global asset manager owned by pension funds, with capabilities in infrastructure equity and debt, private equity, private credit, real estate, and listed equities. Their purpose is to invest, protect, and grow the long-term retirement savings of working people, believing that healthy returns depend on healthy economic, environmental, and social systems. With approximately $291.1 AUD billion in assets under management (as of June 30, 2026), IFM Investors prioritizes the interests of over 883 institutional investors worldwide and operates from 17 offices globally. The company fosters an inclusive, accountable, and collaborative workplace that offers opportunities for meaningful contributions and skill growth, while valuing and supporting its employees. They offer competitive salaries, generous leave entitlements, and a hybrid, flexible work approach built on trust, encouraging employees to manage their work-life rhythm effectively. The Legal & Tax teams support the business and investors on global products, services, and markets.

Requirements

8+ years’ experience gained at a top-tier law firm / in-house in Finance, Infrastructure / Projects or Project Finance
Experience in project/acquisition finance, including an understanding of relevant documentation and structures.
Sound financial and commercial acumen.
JD from top-tier US law school
Admission to the NY Bar in good standing with eight + years of experience
Strong commercial mindset with the ability to interact successfully with business teams
In-depth understanding and knowledge of legal requirements as they relate to IFM Investors’ investment processes, debt finance and the infrastructure asset class.
Deep understanding of relevant legal documentation and concepts relating to debt finance structures, including direct lending, term loan B’s, term loan A’s, private placements, PPPs, revolving facilities, ABLs, Holdco and mezzanine facilities, club deals and broadly syndicated loans.
Extensive knowledge of relevant laws including the UCC; familiarity with the Securities Act of 1933, New York and Delaware contract law, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Delaware General Corporations Law, the Delaware LPA and the Delaware LLCA.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Well-developed negotiating and drafting skills.
Ability to hold ground whilst influencing stakeholders (at all seniority levels).
Ability to make sensible and pragmatic decisions, and to understand the wider business context.
Ability to explain complex legal issues in a simple and effective manner to provide senior management with guidance on current and potential future laws, controls and regulatory requirements that impact IFM and its investors.
Ability to manage multiple major transactions or projects concurrently, delegating appropriately, managing time efficiently and effectively and focusing on the most critical issues and risks.
Possess a can-do, hands-on attitude.
Show strong initiative ─ ability to proactively identify issues and progress tasks.
Team player who is willing to assist others as/when required, and work collaboratively with the broader business.
Strong work ethic – ability to work to deadlines, under pressure and to manage multiple tasks/stakeholders.
Ability to identify what is important, and to focus on strategic / high impact tasks.

Nice To Haves

May have post-graduate qualifications, including in finance

Responsibilities

Lead commercial legal work stream on debt transactions, debt IMAs and new debt products including negotiating NDAs, legal and regulatory diligence and review of transaction documents in consultation with advisors and external counsel.
Work with advisers and investment team to appropriately inform decision makers of relevant legal issues.
Lead legal workstreams on asset management projects, including waivers, consents and amendments and restructurings.
Effectively and on a timely basis support US and UK (and occasionally APAC) investment teams through diligence to execution of transactions.
Identify legal and regulatory issues and strategies and structures to mitigate risks associated with debt investments.
Advise US and UK (and occasionally APAC) infrastructure team and infrastructure commercial legal team members on debt related matters for the infrastructure business.
Manage legal work streams on corporate projects including corporate contracts.
Identify areas of improvement related to processes and knowledge management with respect to the NY legal team, investment and asset management teams.
Use AI in accordance with IFM’s policies as well as commercial team and IFM business objectives.
Assist, as directed by Executive Director, of Commercial (Legal) or Head of Commercial (Americas), in new debt product development and new debt investment management agreements.
Provides subject matter expertise regarding legal terms and regulations, remaining up to date on new procedures and regulations for legal documents and formats.
Provides expertise by ensuring compliance with legal procedural requirements, deadlines and administrative priorities; troubleshoots and proposes improvements when deemed necessary.
Comply with all policies and delegations applicable to the activities and decisions required in this role.