Director Associate Counsel - Regulatory & International Legal

Job Title: Director, Associate Counsel, Regulatory & International Legal

Department: Legal & Compliance

Reports To: Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel, Head of Regulatory & International Legal

FLSA Code: Exempt

Estimated Salary: $200,000 - $225,000

Job Summary:

Cohen & Steers is seeking an experienced attorney to provide legal support for the firm’s non-U.S. investment funds and related international fund activities.

The role will work closely with the Head of Regulatory & International Legal and other members of the Legal team, as well as fund administration, Compliance, international offices, external counsel and fund service providers. The attorney will provide hands-on support across the lifecycle of the firm’s non-U.S. funds, including fund maintenance and development, offering documentation, distribution arrangements, regulatory matters, governance and service-provider matters.

The position sits within the Regulatory & International Legal team, whose broader responsibilities extend across international regulatory matters and other areas affecting the firm’s global business. As the attorney develops in the role, there will be opportunities to become involved in these broader areas and assume additional responsibility over time. Cohen & Steers is committed to an inclusive culture, valuing diversity in support of our people and clients.

Major Responsibilities/Activities:

Primary Responsibilities: Non-U.S. Funds

• The principal focus of the role will be supporting the firm's non-U.S. funds and related international product activities, including:
• Provide legal advice and day-to-day support for the firm's UCITS/SICAV and other non-U.S. fund structures including new funds, share classes and other product changes.
• Draft, review and maintain fund offering and regulatory documentation, including prospectuses, supplements and KID/KIID disclosures.
• Advise on legal and regulatory matters relating to fund distribution, including cross-border distribution requirements.
• Draft and negotiate distribution, intermediary and related agreements and support distributor onboarding.
• Coordinate with external counsel and other advisers on fund registrations and ongoing regulatory requirements in jurisdictions in which the funds are distributed.
• Provide legal support in connection with fund marketing and sales activities and related materials.

Fund Governance and Board Support

• Assist in preparing materials for fund board meetings and advise on matters presented to the boards.
• Attend board meetings as required and draft or review minutes, resolutions and other governance documentation.
• Coordinate with directors, external counsel, fund administrators and other service providers on governance matters.
• Help ensure that regulatory and operational developments affecting the funds are appropriately reflected in the governance process.

Broader Regulatory & International Legal Team 

The Regulatory & International Legal team advises on a wide variety of legal and regulatory issues affecting Cohen & Steers' international business. Although these areas will not be the primary day-to-day focus of this position initially, the successful candidate will have opportunities to work alongside other members of the team and develop experience in areas such as: 

• Global regulatory developments affecting the asset-management business.
• International regulatory change and implementation projects.
• Cross-border marketing and distribution requirements.
• Regulatory licensing and other requirements applicable to the firm and its international affiliates.
• ESG and sustainable-investment regulation.
• Privacy and data-protection matters.
• Other regulatory issues affecting investment management, distribution and the firm's international operations.
• Strategic projects and new international business initiatives. 

Over time, and depending on experience, interest and the needs of the team, the attorney may take greater ownership of selected matters within these areas. 

Minimum Requirements: 

• JD and admission to practice law with strong academic and professional credentials.
• Minimum of five years of relevant legal experience in financial services, preferably within asset management or an investment-management practice.
• Experience with one or more of the following strongly preferred: UCITS or other regulated non-U.S. investment funds; fund maintenance; prospectuses and offering documentation; cross-border fund registration and distribution; distribution and intermediary agreements; fund governance and board matters; and fund service providers.
• Ability to analyze complex legal and regulatory issues and provide practical, commercially focused advice.
• Ability to manage multiple fund and regulatory matters simultaneously and coordinate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong drafting and negotiating skills, as well as strong project management skills.
• High degree of professional judgment, integrity and ownership.
• Ability to work independently while operating collaboratively within a close-knit legal team.
• Interest in developing broader expertise across international asset-management regulation over time.
• Demonstrates inclusive behaviors in support of a culture that values diverse perspectives.
• Agrees to comply with the firm’s hybrid work policy (“work from home policy,” as aligned with the Company’s employee handbook), which currently requires reporting to the Company’s New York City office four (4) days per week, with one (1) remote workday permitted.

Note: This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The job title or duties and responsibilities may be changed by the Company at any time.