Counsel

Natixis Investment Managers is the global asset management organization of Natixis, which is the corporate, investment management and financial services arm of Groupe BPCE. The firm ranks as one of the largest asset management companies in the world with more than 20 investment management affiliates in the U.S., Europe, and Asia (“IM Affiliates”).

Natixis Investment Managers distributes the investment expertise and products of its IM Affiliates through a centralized distribution platform. Natixis Investment Managers - US handles the US asset gathering efforts and Natixis Investment Managers - International (“NIMI”) handles all non-US asset gathering efforts.

NIMI markets and distributes the investment expertise of its IM Affiliates to investors in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. NIMI also sponsors and distributes commingled investment products handled by its IM Affiliates domiciled in Luxembourg, Ireland, Japan, Australia, and the UK. NIMI has over a dozen marketing offices around the world, referred to as business development units (“BDUs”). The NIMI senior management and core support teams are centralized, in Paris, London and Boston.

Overview

This team member will work with the head of Corporate and Distribution for Asia and the Americas and the Deputy General Counsel and other Natixis Investment Managers Legal team and other related departments including Latin American licensing, and corporate subsidiaries. The firm’s business currently consists of sales offices in Mexico City and Montevideo. There is a representative office in Bogotá, and a U.S. offshore business working with US-based financial advisers with non-US person clients.

You will ensure the legal team contributes vigorously to the success of the firm. Primary responsibilities will include monitoring risks and addressing regulatory and legal concerns. This will include ongoing review of regulatory and business developments, processes, procedures, use of technology, and working relationships with other teams to assess where improvements can be made, efficiencies gained, risks lowered, and client satisfaction increased.

Familiarity with global distribution and European fund structures will be an advantage. The day-to-day work will involve drafting and negotiation of distribution agreements, supporting local licensing and board meetings and other corporate governance for America’s subsidiaries. Additionally, attention to regulatory developments, networking with peers/industry groups, acting as a point of contact within the legal group for business colleagues will be expected.

Members of the global legal team, work closely and coordinate with the London, Paris and Boston-based lawyers that are also part of the Natixis Investment Managers legal team and other divisions including the IM Affiliates. Comprehending multi-jurisdictional matters for a sophisticated and complex structured organization is a key prerequisite for the position.

Responsibilities

• Protect the firm’s interests and handle risk in the region.
• Assist and support Natixis Investment Managers sales offices in their asset gathering activities.
• Guide legal colleagues within the team on a wide variety of legal or regulatory matters relating to the development and distribution and asset management activities in Latin America.
• Serve as a senior level liaison with IM Affiliates and internal teams and departments on contractual matters and regulatory affairs. Coordinate and lead all aspects of relationships with external counsel so that effective legal support is provided.
• Coordinate with internal team and draft responses to technical legal questions and comments raised by regulatory bodies regarding the ongoing maintenance of regulatory licenses with various regulators.
• Provide support for ongoing corporate governance and licensing needs.
• Align as a local resource for fund-related issues pertaining to funds registered or distributed. This would involve, for example, sharing knowledge of local market practices.
• Assist in the implementation of new regulatory requirements across the Natixis Investment Managers business.
• Remain up to date on regulatory developments and marketplace practices that could affect the firm. Uncover potential new business opportunities. Demonstrate subject matter authority and actively mentor internal teams on these issues as they relate to the channels of business, offshore funds, marketing activities, relationship with IM Affiliates etc.
• Build effective internal communication regarding legal department work (where appropriate).

Requirements

• 3-6 years of in-house experience in the global investment management industry providing a full range of legal support for asset management distribution activities in the Americas, including;
• Distribution of funds and investment management services to retail and institutional investors in Latin America

Drafting and negotiation of distribution agreements

• Support of foreign fund structures and knowledge of related local market practice issues.
• Dedicated support of licensing requirements for fund distribution and asset management activities in Latin America. Experience in other global markets will also be considered.
• Excellent written and spoken English language skills necessary. Proficiency with Spanish language skills are strongly preferred.
• Provision of practical advice and guidance on regulatory issues.
• Outstanding ability to work cross functionally and build effective links across various departments within a large and diverse organization in an international environment.
• Must have an eye for detail, strong administrative skills and able to take ownership for own workload and be able to self-manage.
• Must be business-focused, with a strong work ethic and the ability to learn both quickly and in depth about subjects that will help the team perform more efficiently and successfully.
• Must be an individual who listens well and who is attuned to cultural differences associated with conducting business internationally.
• Comfortable relating to team members of all levels, while interacting with clients, senior management, outside counsel and representatives of affiliated companies.

#NatixisIMCulture

Natixis Investment Managers is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, training, promotion or other terms, conditions and privileges of employment on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected by law.