Counsel, ETFs and Portfolio Management

Dimensional Fund Advisors; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits program

Job summary

Dimensional Fund Advisors is seeking a legal professional to support its global investments function with a focus on ETFs. You will advise on federal, state, and international securities laws, draft and negotiate critical agreements, and coordinate with internal teams and outside counsel on complex capital markets matters.

The role requires JD, bar admission, and 4–10 years of ETF/regs experience, with strong communication and teamwork skills in a hybrid office environment.

Qualifications

• JD from a top law school and bar admission in at least one US state.
• 4–10 years of experience in a top firm or in‑house with ETF/fund or securities regulation.
• Knowledge of ETFs structure, portfolio management, and US securities laws.
• Strong written and oral communication; able to translate complex concepts.

Responsibilities

• Provide day‑to‑day legal support for Dimensional’s global investments function with an ETF focus.
• Advise on federal, state and international securities laws and related compliance matters.
• Negotiate agreements with authorized participants and service providers.
• Review ETF policies, fund board materials, and registration statements.
• Coordinate with outside counsel and other teams to manage projects and deadlines.
• Prepare memoranda, agendas and meeting notes for internal and board meetings.

Skills

ETFs knowledge

Securities laws

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Team player

Detail oriented

Self-starter

Tech fluency

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Legal tech tools

e-billing

Legal research tools

Document repository

Job description

Job Overview

Dimensional's Legal division is an in‑house team of client‑focused attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants who partner with internal and external teams to help provide legal expertise across business functions, legal systems, and jurisdictions. This counsel will assist with the day‑to‑day legal needs for the firm’s global investments function with an emphasis on initiatives relating to proprietary exchange‑traded funds (ETFs). Work will include advising on federal, state and international securities laws and related compliance matters. This position will report to the Deputy General Counsel and Vice President that acts as the primary legal liaison for the firm’s global investments function.

Support the offering and operation of proprietary ETFs, which includes serving as the day‑to‑day legal contact for the capital markets function, listing ETFs on exchanges, negotiating authorized participant and service provider agreements related to ETFs, reviewing ETF‑specific compliance policies and procedures, and coordinating with the legal team members that are responsible for fund board meetings and fund registration statement filings.

Support the firm’s portfolio management group, which includes analyzing U.S. and international law and requirements under client or counterparty contracts; assisting risk management, compliance and other groups that have responsibility for oversight of the portfolio management function; and coordinating with other business groups in the implementation of portfolio management initiatives.

Review and analyze policies and procedures in the fund companies’ 38a-1 compliance program and the adviser’s 206(4)-7 compliance program.

Analyze legal requirements relating to substantial shareholder filings and corporate action elections.

Prepare and, when requested, present materials such as memoranda, agendas, and meeting minutes for internal meetings, committee meetings, or the meetings of the Board of Directors of the firm, its subsidiary companies and/or its fund complexes.

Work with and oversee the work provided by outside counsel on a variety of legal matters while ensuring that standards for service delivery and cost are met.

Qualifications

• 4-10 years of practice in a top‑tier law firm or in‑house with a mutual fund/ETF complex, investment adviser, financial intermediary or other business that focuses on ETF/fund, investment adviser, financial intermediary, or securities regulation issues.
• Knowledge of the structure and operation of ETFs; portfolio management processes; and federal securities laws, including the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
• JD from a top law school.
• Member of a US state bar.
• Detail oriented, organized and professional.
• Very strong communication skills (oral and written), with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical advice for other departments.
• Able to work well in a team environment, but also be a self‑starter who is capable of handling multiple projects while managing changes in business priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Technical fluency, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite & other legal technology (ebilling, legal document repository, legal research tools), as well as a willingness & ability to learn and adapt to new technologies.
• This role is not eligible for immigration sponsorship #LI-Hybrid.

Benefits

• Dimensional offers a variety of programs to help take care of you, your family, and your career, including comprehensive benefits, educational initiatives, and special celebrations of our history, culture, and growth.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of the Company to provide equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. The Company recruits, hires, trains, promotes, compensates, and administers all personnel actions without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, religious practice, creed, sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), caregiver status, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender identity, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, familial status, domestic partnership status, military or veteran status or service, unemployment status, citizenship status or alienage, sexual orientation, status as a victim of domestic violence, status as a victim of stalking, status as a victim of sex offenses, genetic information, political activities or recreational activities, arrest or conviction record, salary history, natural hairstyle or any other status protected by applicable law except as otherwise required or permitted by law or regulation applicable to the Company or its affiliates.

Company Information

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Dimensional sees great value from collaborating in our offices and appreciates the benefits of flexibility. Most roles fit our office‑first hybrid approach: We are together on our campuses Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and have the choice to work in the office or remotely, depending on what is best for that work day, on Mondays and Fridays. This approach maximizes in‑person collaboration and interaction while simultaneously providing flexibility and applies to most roles globally with a few exceptions that require more or less time in the office.

Here at Dimensional, we strive to be an inclusive workplace for all.

The use of Artificial Intelligence during interviews and skill testing is prohibited, unless Dimensional Fund Advisors has authorized such use.