Product Governance Counsel

WHO WE ARE

Aberdeen Investments is part of Aberdeen Group plc, one of the UK’s leading Wealth & Investments groups. Strengthening talent and culture is one of our strategic priorities. We strive to make Aberdeen a great place to work so that we can attract and retain the industry’s best talent. Our people put our stakeholders at the heart of everything they do by helping us to make a positive difference to the lives of our clients, customers, colleagues, shareholders and society. We are repositioning our specialist asset management business to meet client demand and are committed to providing excellent client service, supported by leading technology and talent.

As a global business, Aberdeen consists of three divisions: Investments, Adviser, and interactive investor (ii). Each division is dedicated to meeting and adapting to our clients' evolving needs.

In the Americas, our sole focus is on the investments business. We have offices in Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Miami, and Sao Paolo. Our breadth of experience gives us close proximity to the companies we invest in and the markets we operate in.

PURPOSE OF THIS POSITION

The Global Product team’s mission is to work in partnership across internal and external networks to create and maintain an innovative, diverse product and solutions suite. The client is at the heart of all we do as a Product team, ensuring adequate framework facilitates the launch and ongoing management of the global product range. Product Governance represents the client voice within the organization. This function ensures that all products (open- and closed-end funds, ETFs) and related vehicles, including Cayman subsidiary funds, (“Aberdeen Products”) are supported by appropriate legal, regulatory, and contractual documentation. The team ensures products meet obligations required by relevant laws and regulations and monitor for changes in regulations, as well as support investor services with shareholder/client engagement and is responsible for the end-to-end product lifecycle for all public market asset classes in the Americas region. In addition, the team leads strategy changes, re-structuring and any other special projects for the public market asset class funds.

The Product Governance Counsel will work with the Senior Product Governance Managers and Head of Product Governance – US Counsel, with specific responsibility for supporting Product Governance processes and activities to ensure all products meet their corporate, legal and regulatory obligations, as well as corporate initiatives, with a particular focus on supporting Aberdeen’s U.S. registered open-end funds, ETFs and closed-end funds.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Updating and drafting fund registration statements on Forms N-1A, N-2 and S-3.
• Reviewing or drafting fund proxy statements on Schedule 14A or Form N-14.
• Preparing and filing forms under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, Forms N-CSR, N-PX and other routine SEC filings for registered funds.
• Assisting with closings of fund capital structures (leverage/preferred shares/overdraft facilities), as needed.
• Researching and analyzing legal issues that arise related to U.S. registered open-end funds, ETFs and closed-end funds.
• Liaising with fund and independent counsel for review of materials and/or finalizing legal research.
• Assisting in preparation of Section 15(c) advisory contract renewal materials.
• Assisting with special projects or corporate actions for US registered funds.
• Preparing and reviewing agreements related to registered fund products: service provider agreements, dealer agreements, leverage facilities, etc.
• Preparing draft amendments to fund contracts, as necessary.
• Drafting or reviewing memoranda to fund boards relating to special projects and drafts special resolutions, as needed.
• Preparing and filing corporate governance forms and correspondence with the US exchanges (i.e. NYSE, NYSE American, Nasdaq).
• Coordinating with client services to provide information to sub-advised registered fund clients for their fund filings.
• Assisting in the review of fund shareholders reports.
• Monitoring and updating internal databases to ensure accuracy as it pertains to certain fund data.
• Maintaining fund files and retrieving documents in relation to requests for fund documentation, as needed.
• Working closely with and assist other members of the Product Governance - Regulatory team.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE

• Team Mentality.
• Demonstrates Aberdeen’s corporate values (Client First, Empowered, Ambitious, Transparent) and behaviors consistently.
• Takes a proactive approach to contribute to a high performing team culture.
• Strives for efficiencies in delivery on the team’s obligations.
• Promotes and encourages an inclusive environment to adapt and excel to ever evolving client needs and market dynamics.
• Champions a strong desire for continual personal development.
• Client, Market and Competitor Insight – seeks internal and external perspective to enhance all activity.
• Global Linkage – works with colleagues globally to advise and support improvements in product governance in the Americas.
• Prioritization – focuses on delivering what matters, laying out a clearly prioritized and agreed activity plan, delivering to meet corporate and strategic objectives.
• Risk Mindset – undertakes all activity with a focus on key risk mitigation and management frameworks.
• Process – continual process optimization to deliver governance objectives in a timely and efficient manner.
• Leadership – inclusive with a passion and drive for excellence

QUALIFICATIONS

• J.D. required.
• Minimum 2+ years’ experience as a lawyer working with registered funds in the financial services industry.
• Experience in a registered funds’ practice group at a law firm is a plus.
• Has a solid understanding of U.S. registered funds (open-end funds, ETFs or closed-end funds), securities laws and regulations, and familiar with the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”).
• A resilient work ethic, including the ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously, meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment, and remain nimble when priorities change.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Close attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
• Curiosity and drive to learn.
• Ethical nature, with the highest standards of integrity, tact, and discretion.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience with DocuBuilder a plus.

CONDITIONS OF WORK

(Note any travel requirements or overtime requirements)

• Minimum 3 days a week in the Philadelphia office.
• Less than 5% travel required.
• Overtime as required by certain projects.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Best in class Medical, Dental, and Vision plans with well-known carriers; Telehealth and Health Concierge services.
• Health, Dependent and Commuter Flexible Spending Plans.
• Employer provided Life Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Short Term and Long-Term disability with additional optional coverage options.
• Investing for your Future - 401(k) Retirement Savings plan with top notch company Profit Sharing contribution which is immediately vested!
• Generous time off starting day one with 4+ weeks annual vacation plus 9 paid holidays.
• Paid Parental, Adoption, and Family Sick/Caregiver leave programs.
• Volunteer Days and Study Time to focus on what is important to you!
• Make a donation to your favorite Charity and Aberdeen will match up to $500 per year!
• Employee Assistance, Travel and Discount Programs. From helping you navigate the healthcare system, to providing resources and assistance to parents and caregivers of children with development disabilities.
• Flexible, voluntary benefits including Accident Insurance, Identity Protection, and Legal Assistance.
• Wellness program including Nutritional Counselling and Gym Membership Reimbursements.

HOW WE CREATE VALUE

Our strategic drivers are the foundations from which we deliver for all our stakeholders: High Impact Intelligence, Enduring Relationships, Connections without borders and Future fit. You can find out more about our values here.

OUR INCLUSIVE CULTURE

We are committed to exploring the possibilities of working smarter. This means we’d like to hear from you, whatever way you like to work. We have a long-term commitment to building inclusive workplaces; we value diversity in our workforce and welcome enquiries from everyone. If you need assistance or a reasonable adjustment due to a disability please let us know as part of your application and we will assist. You can find out more about our inclusive culture here. Aberdeen is an affirmative action - equal opportunity employer.