Assistant/Associate General Counsel

Investment Company Institute•Washington, DC

About The Position

Under the direction of the Managing Director, represents the Independent Directors Council (IDC), Investment Company Institute (ICI), independent directors, and the investment company industry on matters relating to fund governance and the role of fund independent directors. Develops, coordinates, and supports IDC programming and initiatives. Represents IDC at meetings and gatherings of independent directors and with external stakeholders. Coordinates IDC’s efforts with ICI’s legal, research, government affairs, operations, strategic communications, and other departments.

Requirements

Solid knowledge of federal securities laws and regulations, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and applicable FINRA rules, as well as other financial services laws and regulations affecting investment companies.
Understanding of the operations of investment companies and their service providers, including those of mutual funds, closed-end funds, ETFs, UITs, and variable products.
High degree of innovativeness, creativity, and strategic thinking.
Skilled at member engagement and consensus building.
Understanding of government and regulatory environment and processes.
High capacity for critical legal and factual analysis (knowledge of relevant laws, grasp of business and other issues, soundness, thoroughness, marshalling of information, organization of data).
Strong and sound problem-solving ability and judgment.
Strong analytical and persuasive writing skills.
Strong verbal and communications skills.
Ability to advocate positions, obtain consensus, and influence outcomes as appropriate.
Ability to identify and develop content and programming of interest to a range of audiences.
Team player with an ability to develop trust-based working relationships and commitment to work collaboratively with other IDC/Institute staff.
High degree of productivity, responsiveness, initiative, flexibility, and the ability to multitask.
Highly organized and detail-oriented. Ability to effectively plan and prioritize in a timely manner with strong project management skills.
Ability to travel.
J.D. degree and member of the District of Columbia or other State Bar.
Minimum of 7 years relevant experience in government, trade associations, and/or in house or outside counsel, with knowledge of fund industry/governance and educational programming experience.

Responsibilities

Supports the development of content, resources, policy analyses, and other matters of interest to fund directors.
Represents IDC, as assigned, before policymakers, independent director audiences, and other stakeholder groups.
Develops, coordinates, and manages educational content and programs for independent directors, working closely with working closely with IDC senior director.
Prepares programs and agendas for a broad range of IDC meetings and events, including committee meetings, engagement events, and educational sessions.
Supports IDC conferences, workshops, webinars, peer-to-peer meetings, and other director events.
Strengthens independent director engagement with IDC across segments.
Drives consensus among independent director constituencies in developing IDC resources and positions.
Serves as liaison, as assigned, to other committees and other working groups of independent directors.
Analyzes and develops effective communications and analysis on policy proposals impacting fund governance from the SEC and other regulatory bodies.
Develops and drafts persuasive advocacy positions on regulatory and policy matters reflecting the perspective of independent directors.
Represents IDC before policymakers on matters and initiatives as assigned.
Communicates governance, industry, market, and policy developments to independent directors and others through regular newsletters, memoranda, approved social media platforms, and other means of communication.
Drafts and develops specialized communications for fund directors and the public about IDC and the role of independent directors.
Informs the independent director community through updates and presentations.
Helps prepare agendas and the development of objectives for IDC’s committee and working groups; participates, as appropriate, in other member committee, subcommittee and ad hoc meetings.
Collaborates regularly and effectively with other Institute staff, especially the ICI legal department, on matters of common interest.
Collaborates with the strategic communications staff to develop informative and accurate communications, including press releases and other statements.
Helps to coordinate IDC’s activities generally with ICI’s legal, research, government affairs, operations, and communications functions.