SVP, Associate General Counsel

SUMMARY

As the Department Head of Legal Administration, the SVP, Associate General Counsel is responsible for developing strong working relationships with the other department heads within Ultimus and delivering quality Legal Administration services to assigned clients.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Provides strategic leadership within the Legal Administration Department that is consistent with Ultimus’ mission and values.

• Leads the resolution of routine and complex client service issues and issues with potential liability to Ultimus; brings such issues to the attention of senior management and resolves such issues with input from senior management.

• Provides sales, due diligence and onboarding support to Ultimus Business Development Department and will make presentations to prospective clients, and research and prepare memoranda and reports on general industry issues not related to specific clients.

• Supervises the preparation of (or, if appropriate, prepares) client registration statement updates.

• Supervises the preparation of (or, if appropriate, prepares) all other client SEC filings.

• Leads the preparation/distribution of (or, if appropriate, prepares/distributes) all client board and committee materials.

• Attends board and committee meetings by telephone or, if a client requests, in person, to record notes, make presentations and, if requested, leads the meeting.

• Supervises the drafting of (or, if appropriate, drafts) the minutes of client board and committee meetings.

• Instructs direct reports, as needed, on the preparation of registration statement updates, board materials and other client-related documents.

• Provides updates to clients on recent regulatory events and conducts regulatory research for clients that does not involve legal conclusions.

• Assists the Corporate Legal Department in drafting Ultimus contract amendments, as needed.

• Guarantees the completion of (or, if appropriate, completes) all internal compliance-related documents for assigned clients, such as filing checklists in an accurate and timely manner.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

• Supervises the preparation of or, if appropriate, prepares relevant filings and documents for special regulatory add-on services such as building of new funds/trusts, proxy and information statements and Form N-14.

• Serves on departmental, interdepartmental and ICI committees, as requested.

• Coordinates special initiatives within the Legal Administration Department, such as updating of policies and procedures.

• Participates in sales presentations with prospective clients and in the onboarding of new clients.

• Provides effective legal support to Corporate Legal and Internal Compliance Departments as requested.

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

• Manages associates within department including, but not limited to, hiring, training, and developing associates, delegating work assignments, writing, and conducting performance appraisals, salary recommendations, coaching and counseling, and administering corrective actions.

• Conducts one-on-one and team meetings with associates on a regular basis to discuss new procedures, problems, and issues.

• Establishes team and individual goals for department.

• Fosters performance of associates and the processes used by them; holds the associates accountable for their work.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Mentors associates through instruction, coaching, providing real-time on-the-job experiences, modeling effective practices, and advising on methods used.

• Maintains regular contact with internal departments at Ultimus and external vendors/relationships to meet the needs of assigned clients and clients assigned to direct reports.

• Guarantees that the Legal Administration relationship with each assigned client and each client assigned to a direct report is strong and that the client’s satisfaction level with the relationship remains high.

May perform other duties as required and assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• 15+ years of experience as a 1940 Act attorney.

• Legal experience at a fund administrator or fund adviser.

• A J.D. and membership in the bar of at least one state.

• 7-10 years of management and leadership experience.

KNOWLEDGE

• 1940 Act, as well as significant familiarity with the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

• Legal, business, distribution, marketing, and structural issues facing mutual funds.

• Microsoft Office Suite.

• Adobe Acrobat.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• High proficiency in written communication skills, including the ability to set forth complex legal principles in “plain English.”

• Excellent research and client service skills with an aptitude for understanding the clients’ legal needs and how they are related to the clients’ business needs.

• Ability to lead board and other meetings with current clients and to present legal administration services to potential clients.

• Aligns associates with company values and goals.

• Plans and delegates the work of others.

• Motivates and inspires others.

• Assesses the performance of self and associates to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Plans and develops systems and procedures to improve operating quality and efficiency of department in accordance with company policies and procedures.

• Troubleshoots issues utilizing creative and critical thinking skills.

• Multitasking, analytical, and organizational skills.

• Initiative-taking, strategic, and meticulous approaches with a strong commitment to quality, efficiency, and effectiveness.

• Demonstrates and exercises personal integrity, responsibility, accountability, and good judgement.

• Effectively uses resources such as time and information in conjunction with associates.

• Participates in solving problems and making decisions.

• Presents and expresses ideas and information, written and oral, clearly, and concisely.

• Actively listens to others to achieve understanding and supports an open exchange of ideas and information.

• Identifies needs, arranges for, and obtains resources to accomplish individual and department goals.

• Establishes and develops effective working relationships with associates and clientele during both favorable and unfavorable situations.

• Modifies team and individual priorities and deadlines in response to added information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles and ensures completion.

Ultimus is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of the applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, citizenship or any other status entitled to protection under federal, state or local anti-discrimination laws. No questions on our employment application are intended to secure information that is to be used for impermissible purposes.

Originally posted on Himalayas