Associate General Counsel – Product Governance

Jobtailor; North Carolina; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard seeks a senior legal advisor specializing in corporate governance to guide trustee and board matters, with a focus on fiduciary obligations, governance practices, and board processes.

You will partner with corporate secretary teams, review governance documents, monitor regulatory developments, and provide practical, decision-useful legal advice to senior leaders in the investment management sector.

Qualifications

• Minimum ten years of related legal experience.
• Significant governance/business experience in regulated industries (e.g., financial services).
• Strong knowledge of governance practices, fiduciary obligations, board processes, and corporate law.
• Familiarity with the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 preferred.
• Registered fund, alternative investment, or comparable experience is desirable.
• Ability to navigate fiduciary obligations and provide practical legal advice.
• Visa sponsorship is not offered for this position.

Responsibilities

• Act as a key legal advisor on corporate governance matters for boards and trustees.
• Advise trustees, directors, and business leaders on governance requirements and fiduciary obligations.
• Support governance and corporate secretary functions for fund boards of trustees.
• Plan meetings, agendas, materials, resolutions, minutes, and governance policies.
• Partner with Office of the Corporate Secretary attorneys and professionals.
• Provide clear, decision-useful information to boards and committees.

Skills

Corporate governance expertise

Fiduciary obligations knowledge

Investment management experience

Strong communication skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder relationship management

Influencing skills

Sound judgment

Tools

Investment Company Act Familiarity

Investment Advisers Act Familiarity

Regulatory compliance

Job description

• Act as a key legal advisor on corporate governance matters
• Advise trustees, directors, business leaders, and stakeholders on legal requirements, fiduciary obligations, governance practices, and board processes
• Support governance and corporate secretary functions for a fund board of trustees
• Plan meetings, agendas, board materials, resolutions, minutes, annual calendars, governance policies, and follow-up matters
• Partner with Office of the Corporate Secretary attorneys and professionals
• Work with fund product, compliance, risk, and business colleagues to ensure boards receive clear, complete, and decision-useful information
• Review legal and governance documents and board and committee materials
• Monitor and analyze legislative, regulatory, and governance developments
• Advise internal stakeholders and business leaders on complex operational and corporate governance matters
• Assist with governance matters for affiliated company boards, special projects, and evolving business needs
• Direct and manage outside counsel as appropriate
• Maintain knowledge of applicable law, Vanguard’s business, and the investment industry
• Build productive internal and external relationships and stay informed of relevant trends and leading practices
• Participate in special projects and perform other assigned duties

Requirements

• Minimum ten years of related legal experience
• Significant experience in corporate governance, board advisory matters, investment management, financial services, or another regulated industry
• Strong knowledge of governance practices, fiduciary obligations, board processes, and corporate law
• Familiarity with the Investment Company Act of 1940, Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and investment product governance preferred
• Registered fund, alternative investment, or comparable experience desirable
• Experience managing complex board and senior stakeholder relationships
• Ability to navigate fiduciary obligations and exercise sound judgment on sensitive matters
• Strong communication and strategic thinking skills
• Ability to synthesize complex legal and business issues and provide practical advice
• Ability to collaborate with regulatory and product subject matter experts and influence at senior levels
• Visa sponsorship is not offered for this position

Core Competencies

Demonstrates extensive expertise in corporate governance, fiduciary obligations, and board advisory matters, with a strong ability to synthesize complex legal and business issues. Proven track record in managing stakeholder relationships and providing strategic legal advice within the investment management and financial services sectors.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Corporate Governance Expertise
• Fiduciary Obligations Knowledge
• Investment Management Experience
• Strong Communication Skills
• Strategic Thinking

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Corporate Law
• Governance Practices
• Board Processes
• Legal Document Review
• Regulatory Compliance
• Investment Company Act Familiarity
• Investment Advisers Act Familiarity
• Complex Issue Synthesis
• Decision-Useful Information Provision
• Stakeholder Relationship Management

Soft Skills

• Collaboration
• Sound Judgment
• Influencing Skills

Industry Keywords

• Financial Services
• Registered Fund Experience
• Alternative Investment Experience
• Regulated Industry Knowledge
• Vanguard Business Knowledge