Associate Partner – M&A (Funds & Financial Services Tax)- Bengaluru

SyncUp; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

SyncUp seeks a senior engagement professional to lead end-to-end advisory on fund structuring for AIFs, REITs, InvITs, and offshore vehicles across Mauritius, Singapore, GIFT City/IFSC and Cayman structures.

You will advise fund managers, LPs, and co-investors on tax-efficient entry/exit strategies, carry and management fee structuring, and regulator-compliant fund formation.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end advisory on fund structuring for AIFs (Category I, II & III), REITs, InvITs, and offshore fund vehicles including Mauritius, Singapore, GIFT City / IFSC, and Cayman structures
• Advise fund managers, LPs, and co-investors on tax-efficient entry and exit strategies, including capital gains characterization, treaty eligibility, LOB provisions, PPT, and GAAR applicability
• Provide comprehensive advisory on pass-through taxation of AIFs, carry and management fee structuring, waterfall mechanisms, and tax treatment at the investor level including FPIs, resident and non-resident investors
• Counsel clients on SEBI AIF Regulations, SEBI (Portfolio Managers) Regulations, FPI regime, FEMA, and RBI provisions relevant to fund formation, investor onboarding, and investment activities
• Advise on GIFT City / IFSC opportunities, fund domiciliation, IFSCA regulatory framework, tax incentives under Section 10(4D), fund manager entity structures, and operational considerations
• Oversee the quality and technical accuracy of client deliverables including opinion letters, transaction memos, regulatory submissions, and board presentations, ensuring they meet Tier 1 standards

Job description

Project & Engagement Management

• Scope, plan, and resource engagements from the outset, defining deliverables, milestones, team composition, and fee structures in alignment with client expectations and firm economics
• Manage multiple simultaneous engagements across different clients and matter types, prioritizing effectively under time pressure and ensuring no client is underserved
• Establish and enforce quality control protocols across all client deliverables, conduct technical reviews, ensuring consistency with firm positions, and managing risk on complex advisory matters
• Monitor and manage engagement economics, including fee realization, WIP, billing timeliness, and profitability, taking corrective action where required
• Coordinate effectively with internal stakeholders (tax tech, legal, compliance, finance) and external advisors (counsel, fund administrators, custodians, auditors) to ensure smooth execution of complex, multi-party mandates
• Maintain documentation discipline ensuring matter files, advice trails, conflict checks, and engagement letters are current and compliant with firm risk management protocols

Technical Advisors & Engagement Delivery

• Lead end-to-end advisory on fund structuring for AIFs (Category I, II & III), REITs, InvITs, and offshore fund vehicles including Mauritius, Singapore, GIFT City / IFSC, and Cayman structures
• Advise fund managers, LPs, and co-investors on tax-efficient entry and exit strategies, including capital gains characterization, treaty eligibility, Limitation of Benefits (LOB) provisions, Principal Purpose Test (PPT), and GAAR applicability
• Provide comprehensive advisory on pass-through taxation of AIFs, carry and management fee structuring,waterfall mechanisms, and tax treatment at the investor level including FPIs, resident and non-resident investors
• Counsel clients on the full spectrum of SEBI AIF Regulations, SEBI (Portfolio Managers) Regulations, FPI regime, FEMA, and RBI provisions relevant to fund formation, investor onboarding, and investment activities
• Advise on GIFT City / IFSC opportunities, fund domiciliation, IFSCA regulatory framework, tax incentives under Section 10(4D), fund manager entity structures, and operational considerations
• Advise on secondary transactions, co-investment structures, LP transfers, side pockets, and restructuring of existing fund vehicles
• Handle FATCA / CRS compliance advisory for fund structures; advise on entity classification, reporting obligations, and investor documentation requirements
• Provide opinions and advisory on treaty interpretation, withholding tax positions, and advance rulings strategy for fund-related transactions
• Oversee the quality and technical accuracy of client deliverables including opinion letters, transaction memos, regulatory submissions, and board presentations, ensuring they meet Tier 1 standards

Client Management

• Serve as the primary relationship owner for a portfolio of fund manager and institutional investor clients;own the overall client experience, satisfaction, and retention
• Maintain regular, proactive client contact through structured check-ins, regulatory update briefings, and informal relationship-building ensuring the firm remains top-of-mind for advisory needs
• Anticipate client needs ahead of regulatory changes, market events, or fund lifecycle milestones (fund re-ups, expansions, exits) and position the firm’s advisory support proactively
• Manage client expectations skillfully setting realistic timelines, communicating risks and complexities clearly, and escalating issues appropriately while maintaining client confidence
• Handle senior client escalations and sensitive advisory situations with maturity, sound judgment, and a solutions-oriented approach
• Ensure seamless multi-partner / multi-practice coordination on complex mandates, acting as the orchestrating relationship partner across workstreams

Business Development & Client Origination

• Proactively identify and pursue business development opportunities including cross-selling to existing clients, originating new mandates through relationship networks, and converting inbound inquiries into engagements
• Build and maintain a personal pipeline of client relationships with fund managers (PE, VC, hedge, credit,infrastructure), LPs, family offices, sovereign funds, development finance institutions, and intermediaries such as placement agents and fund administrators
• Represent the firm externally at industry conferences, SEBI / IFSCA consultations, fund forums, and investor summits; leverage these platforms to build the firm’s brand and generate leads
• Develop and present pitch decks, capability statements, and proposals that effectively articulate the firm’s value proposition, lead client pitches and beauty parades at the senior level
• Track developments in the regulatory and legislative landscape (SEBI, RBI, CBDT, IFSCA) and proactively communicate impact to existing clients using insights as hooks for client conversations and new mandates
• Collaborate with other practice heads (M&A, Transfer Pricing, Indirect Tax, Regulatory) to identify and pursue cross-practice opportunities and deliver integrated advisory to clients
• Contribute to the firm’s thought leadership initiatives including articles, whitepapers, webinars, and client alerts to enhance the firm’s standing in the funds advisory market

Knowledge Management

• Act as an internal domain authority, providing technical leadership on complex tax and regulatory matters.
• Lead the development of thought leadership, including articles, publications, and knowledge pieces that strengthen the firm’s market presence.
• Mentor Principals and Managers, guiding them to build deep specializations and become trusted experts within their domains.

Brand Management

• Representing & endorsing expertise and scope of service at various external forums. Interacting with peers and building a high-quality network in industry.
• Publishing articles & research papers on regular basis. Sharing knowledge and learning at external forums to increase visibility and credibility.

People Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of managers, senior associates, and associates providing technical guidance, structured feedback, and career development support
• Foster a high-performance, learning-oriented team culture where junior professionals are stretched, supported, and developed into future leaders of the practice
• Participate in talent acquisition for the practice interviewing candidates, making hiring recommendations,and contributing to the firm’s campus and lateral recruitment efforts
• Conduct periodic performance reviews and support the firm’s appraisal process with fair, developmental,and commercially grounded assessments