Graduate - Capital Markets

A graduate policy role at Association for Financial Markets in Europe focused on researching financial regulations, writing policy materials, and supporting industry engagement with regulators.

The London office of AFME is seeking a Graduate to report to the Managing Director of Equities Trading and Post-Trade, with dotted reporting lines into the Director of Secondary Capital Markets and Wholesale Investor Protection.

This is a technical policy role which sits within AFME’s Capital Markets Division.

In a support function, the resource will:

• Work together with members of key Equities, Post Trade and MiFID working groups and committees to develop the AFME wide position on a wide spectrum of regulatory topics, with a focus on cross-asset matters. 

• Carry out policy analysis and draft policy material (eg consultation responses, position papers, briefings), to advance AFME’s Equities and MiFID policy and advocacy strategy.

• Help maintain good meeting hygiene of key committees and working groups.

Key files include proposals within the EU Market Integration Package (with a focus on equities trading and post-trade proposals), the UK/EU move to a T+1 settlement cycle, the EU MiFID II/R Review and equivalent Wholesale Markets Review in the UK, the UK/EU transaction reporting reviews and the EU Retail Investment Strategy.

Key topics include market structure, clearing & settlement, asset servicing, transparency, market data, transaction reporting, order execution, investment research and investor protection/wholesale conduct of business.

Our Capital Markets Division
On behalf of our member firms, AFME’s Capital Markets Division promotes growth and development of the EU and UK primary and secondary equities and fixed income securities markets from an AFME policy standpoint.

This Division leads, among other things, key asset class (cash bonds and equities) as well as cross-asset committees and working groups, actively monitoring and analysing all EU and UK regulatory developments relating to market structure, transparency and conduct of business/investor protection matters.

This includes the development and advocacy strategic priorities, cross-asset class collective initiatives and responses to policy-maker proposals.

With a pan-European mandate, the Capital Markets Division support member committees and groups comprised of business leaders from our member firms. AFME, on their behalf, facilitates regular, frequent and constructive dialogue between members and legislators, policymakers, central banks and other officials across the EU and UK.

In all Capital Markets Divisions, AFME staff work to address market issues by facilitating consultation with key stakeholders, including the UK Financial Conduct Authority, UK HM Treasury, the European Commission, ESMA, Member State governments, European Parliament, National Competent Authorities, corporates, investor groups, and trading platforms.

All Capital Markets Divisions aim to build consensus within the industry and act as a bridge between market participants and the above stakeholder groups.

Due to a high volume of applications received, we may close this job advert early, therefore please apply as soon as possible.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the teams’ work in terms of developing industry wide policy positions on equities, post-trade and cross-asset MiFID issues, both in the EU and the UK

• Monitor and analyse existing and new relevant regulatory proposals in the EU and the UK

• Assist with the management of the relevant workstreams and working groups

• Support the production of draft position papers, consultation responses, reports, briefing materials and
  power point presentations

• Support the preparation of board meetings and meetings with external policy makers and take minutes

• Collaborate with AFME colleagues in other Capital Markets teams, as well as other Divisions (eg Compliance, Tech&Op, Advocacy)

• Assist with conferences, seminars, webinars and other AFME events

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential:

• Educated to degree level in law, finance or economics

• Strong interest in capital markets and policy formation ideally with a basic knowledge of the EU/UK financial regulation framework

• Technical rigour and attention to detail with a critical mindset

• Good attention to detail and strong organisational skills in managing daily workload and deadlines as well as the ability to juggle multiple priorities at the same time (and to re-prioritise as needed)

• Fluency in oral and written English with strong writing and communication skills which can deliver key messages in a clear, yet diplomatic manner (where required)

• Word, spreadsheet and power point skills

• Self-motivated with a sharp intellect and high levels of energy

• A team player who is also able to take initiative and work independently under supervision

Desirable:

• Fluency in a European language other than English

Benefits

The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) provides an excellent benefits package for employees and their eligible dependents.

The benefits package includes:

• 27 days Annual Holiday Allowance + 1 day Birthday Holiday + 3 days Christmas Holiday 

• Private Medical Insurance 

• Health Cash Plan 

• Dental Insurance 

• Employee Assistance Programme 

• Pension Scheme – AFME contributes 10% of an employee’s basic salary 

• Life Assurance of 4x base salary 

• Income Protection Insurance

• Worldwide Business and Leisure Travel Insurance 

• Season Ticket Loan 

• Cycle to Work Scheme 

• 4pm Friday Finish 

• Hybrid working minimum 3 days in the office per week and flexi-start/finish times 

AFME offer the London Living Wage for this role, which is: £28,860 per annum.

About AFME

The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) is the voice of the leading banks in Europe’s financial markets, providing expertise across a broad range of regulatory and capital markets issues. We represent over 150 leading global and European banks and other significant market players.

Our members play a vital role in Europe’s financial ecosystem, underwriting around 90% of European corporate and sovereign debt, and 85% of European listed equity capital issuances. Our purpose is to advocate for deep and competitive, integrated capital markets globally, which support companies and investors, facilitating economic growth.

AFME is the European member of the Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA), a global alliance with the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) in the US, and the Asia Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (ASIFMA) in Asia.