Executive director assistant general counsel - management

SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 130 offices and 80,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG’s shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges.

In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization’s extensive global network. The Group’s operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC MANUBANK, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd.

The anticipated salary range for this role is between $244,000.00 and $285,000.00. The specific salary offered to an applicant will be based on their individual qualifications, experiences, and an analysis of the current compensation paid in their geography and the market for similar roles at the time of hire. The role may also be eligible for an annual discretionary incentive award. In addition to cash compensation, SMBC offers a competitive portfolio of benefits to its employees.

Role Description

SMBC Group is seeking a seasoned inhouse attorney to provide comprehensive legal coverage and oversight for its affiliated U.S. investment adviser. This is a leadership position requiring sound judgment and a deep sense of organizational stewardship. The position presents an opportunity to help build a business from the ground up, design and implement a robust legal and regulatory compliance framework in partnership with Compliance colleagues, and educate the internal client base (ranging from junior staff to senior management) on the US regulatory requirements for investment advisers.

Role Objectives

• Provide legal, regulatory, and strategic advice on proposed business activities of a newly launched investment adviser, initially focusing on loan and credit assets, with the potential to expand to other asset classes.
• Advise on a broad range of issues under U.S. investment management laws and regulations. Support business objectives while managing legal, regulatory, and franchise risks. Assess and respond to regulatory changes impacting the investment management business. Collaborate closely with legal and compliance colleagues across SMBC Group.
• Draft, review, and negotiate transaction documents for the investment management business, including advisory agreements and fund documents.
• Manage outside counsel and apply legal risk management standards and practices consistently with SMBC Group’s Americas Division Legal Department requirements

Qualifications and Skills

• Active membership in good standing with the New York State Bar, or eligible to waive in. Juris Doctor degree from an accredited U.S. law school.
• At least 15 years of experience inhouse and/or at a leading law firm advising SEC-registered investment advisers, with a focus on institutional asset management.
• Deep expertise in SEC compliance, fiduciary standards, Investment Advisers Act, and other asset management regulations. Experience working at a bank-affiliated investment adviser preferred.
• Ability to provide adaptive, proactive legal coverage for a nascent investment adviser. Self-motivated, independent, and able to multi-task and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and written/oral communication skills. Ability to identify and diagnose legal and business issues, and explain decision points clearly and succinctly. Excellent critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clients and colleagues across a broad range of seniority and experience levels in a large, complex global organization.
• Detail-oriented and thoughtful.

SMBC’s employees participate in a Hybrid workforce model that provides employees with an opportunity to work from home, as well as, from an SMBC office. SMBC requires that employees live within a reasonable commuting distance of their office location. Prospective candidates will learn more about their specific hybrid work schedule during their interview process. Hybrid work may not be permitted for certain roles, including, for example, certain FINRA-registered roles for which in-office attendance for the entire workweek is required.

SMBC provides reasonable accommodations during candidacy for applicants with disabilities consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please let us know at [email protected].