GMO

Senior Legal Counsel

GMO

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Boston • Massachusetts • United States

Visit company website

Explore more

✨ AI Apply
Apply

Salary

💰 $170,000 - $215,000 per year

Job Level

Senior

About the role

  • Serve as the primary legal advisor on complex institutional client matters, including negotiation of investment management agreements, guidelines, fee arrangements, and bespoke side letters for U.S. and non‑U.S. clients;
  • Lead legal support for intermediary, model‑delivery, and distribution relationships, negotiating and structuring agreements with registered investment advisers, wirehouses, private banks, and platform partners;
  • Partner closely with Investment, Client Relationship Management, Business Development, Operations and Product teams to deliver commercially pragmatic, risk‑aware legal advice that supports asset growth and client retention;
  • Lead analysis and governance of fee arrangements, “Most Favored Nation” analysis, and affiliation rules to ensure regulatory compliance and risk mitigation; and
  • Review and provide final legal sign‑off on RFP responses, due diligence questionnaires, and client‑facing disclosures.

Requirements

  • JD with a minimum of 5-10 years legal experience.
  • Experience advising asset managers, investment advisers, or financial services firms on client, fund, and distribution matters. Prior in-house experience preferred.
  • Exceptional negotiation skills, with particular expertise in complex investment agreements, side letters, and intermediary arrangements, and ability to balance commercial objectives and regulatory obligations.
  • Strong working knowledge of the Investment Advisers Act, as well as other U.S. and international regulatory frameworks applicable to asset management and distribution.
  • Proven ability to operate independently while serving as a senior advisor to cross‑functional stakeholders.
  • Excellent communication skills (oral and written).
  • Excellent listening skills.
  • Analytical clarity and creativity.
  • Lateral thinking and communication.
  • Practical solutions in the face of business tradeoffs.
  • Enthusiastic.
  • Strong organizational skills – ability to take responsibility for and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Ability to consistently demonstrate sound judgment and the highest level of ethics and integrity.
  • Strong financial product development experience and knowledge.
  • Demonstrated ability to mentor others.
  • Knowledge of tax related concepts helpful but not required.
  • Love of the law and intellectual curiosity.
  • Tenacious with the ability to move quickly and follow through on commitments.
  • Strong work ethic and the ability to hold yourself and others to the highest standards.
Benefits
  • medical insurance
  • dental insurance
  • life insurance
  • long-term disability coverage
  • a 401(k)/profit-sharing retirement plan
  • open paid time off
  • leaves of absences
  • dependent care resources
  • tuition reimbursement
  • charitable gifts matching
  • flexible spending accounts
  • commuter benefits
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
JDlegal experienceinvestment management agreementsnegotiationregulatory compliancefee arrangementsMost Favored Nation analysisdue diligencefinancial product developmenttax related concepts
Soft Skills
negotiation skillscommunication skillslistening skillsanalytical claritycreativitylateral thinkingorganizational skillssound judgmentethics and integritymentoring