Legal and Compliance Associate

Cercano Management; Bellevue (WA); Hybrid; USD 81,170 - 121,760; Full time

Job summary

Cercano Management LLC is seeking a Legal and Compliance Associate to support the Legal and Compliance Department. The role requires organizational excellence, discretion, and strong written/oral communication to manage regulatory filings, corporate governance, and investment-related documentation.

The ideal candidate has 2–3 years of relevant experience and familiarity with investment management, private funds, and securities compliance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2-3 years relevant legal, compliance, corporate governance, investment management, or financial services experience.
• Paralegal certificate, compliance certification, or other relevant professional credential beneficial but not required.
• Familiarity with investment management, private funds, securities law compliance, or regulatory filings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with development, maintenance, and organization of legal/compliance records and document management systems.
• Support review, coordination, and tracking of legal agreements and related documentation.
• Maintain databases and trackers for regulatory filings, compliance certifications, governance matters, and recurring processes.
• Assist with corporate governance and transactional matters, including entity formation and annual reporting.
• Prepare and organize AML/KYC materials and diligence responses.
• Assist with regulatory and securities filings (EDGAR, ADV, registrations) as applicable.
• Coordinate with attorneys, investment professionals, operations, finance, and external parties on project status and deadlines.
• Support compliance program administration, including employee certifications and training records.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions.
• Schedule internal/external meetings related to legal/compliance matters.

Skills

Legal operations

Compliance

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

BA/BS degree

Paralegal/compliance credential beneficial

Tools

Contract lifecycle management

e-signature platforms

Compliance software

MS Office

Job description

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Cercano Management LLC (“Cercano”) is a multi-family office that provides investment advisory services, including access to a range of alternative investment funds, while also offering clients a comprehensive suite of family office services. Cercano is based in Bellevue, WA, with offices in Minneapolis, MN, and Singapore. Cercano invests globally for its clients, commonly operating as the family office Chief Investment Officer. The team has extensive experience in direct investing in all stages of venture capital, private equity, private credit, and public equities on a global basis.

At Cercano, we focus on delivering to a select group of families, a client experience informed by the heritage, discretion, investment access, and alignment commonly associated with a single-family office. We dedicate ourselves to understanding each family’s objectives and values and to developing customized, holistic solutions that support long-term growth and generational wealth preservation. Our goal is to serve as a trusted partner by offering services at the intersection of institutional investment management, alternative investment funds, operational capabilities, and family office services.

POSITION MISSION

We are currently seeking a Legal and Compliance Associate who will play an integral role in Cercano’s Legal and Compliance Department, supporting the Senior Paralegal, Associate General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail oriented, and able to manage legal and compliance matters with sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion. The role requires strong written and oral communication skills, the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, and the capacity to think critically, manage competing priorities, and present information clearly and confidently.

We are seeking a candidate with relevant experience in legal operations, corporate governance, investment management, private fund matters, transactional support, and regulatory compliance. Experience with SEC-registered investment advisers, private funds, securities law compliance, or financial services is strongly preferred.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with the development, maintenance, and organization of legal and compliance records, document management systems, and knowledge management resources.
• Support the review, coordination, and tracking of legal agreements, including confidentiality agreements, vendor contracts, subscription documents, operating agreements, side letters, and other fund or investment-related documentation.
• Maintain databases and trackers for legal documents, regulatory filings, compliance certifications, employee activities, corporate governance matters, and other recurring legal and compliance processes.
• Assist with corporate governance and transactional matters, including entity formation and maintenance, annual reporting, subscription materials, transfer documentation, closing binders, and internal approval processes.
• Prepare, organize, and maintain structure charts, AML/KYC materials, investor or counterparty diligence materials, and responses to related requests.
• Assist with regulatory and securities filings, including EDGAR filings, ADV, individual registrations and other legal or compliance filings, as applicable.
• Coordinate with attorneys, investment professionals, operations, finance, accounting, external counterparties, service providers, and consultants regarding project status, deadlines, documentation, and follow-up items.
• Support compliance program administration, including employee certifications, personal trading processes, marketing review tracking, training records, annual review materials, vendor due diligence, and other compliance monitoring activities.
• Liaise with finance and accounting to facilitate payment and tracking of legal and compliance invoices.
• Schedule and coordinate internal and external meetings, conference calls, and follow-up items for legal and compliance matters.
• Perform ad hoc legal, compliance, and administrative projects as needed.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality, professionalism, and discretion in all interactions.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge, experience, skill, and/or ability

• Relevant experience in a legal, compliance, corporate governance, investment management, private fund, financial services, or law firm environment.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, organizing, and tracking agreements, legal documents, diligence materials, regulatory filings, or compliance records.
• Excellent organizational, writing, and interpersonal skills. Must be highly organized and detail oriented and able to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Professional demeanor, resourceful and able to handle multiple and changing priorities.
• Strong work ethic, sound judgment, and commitment to accuracy, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced environment with a demonstrated sense of urgency, responsiveness, and commitment.
• Hybrid work schedule with preference for not less than three days per week at Cercano’s Bellevue, WA or Minneapolis, MN office

Computer skills

• Proficiency in Point and Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, OneNote, Teams, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Proficiency in contract life cycle management tools and e-signature platforms is helpful.
• Proficiency in compliance software systems is also helpful.

Education/experience/certifications

• B.A. or B.S. degree from an accredited institution and a minimum of 2-3 years relevant legal, compliance, corporate governance, investment management, or financial services experience.
• Paralegal certificate, compliance certification, or other relevant professional credential beneficial but not required.
• Familiarity with investment management, private funds, corporate transactions, securities law compliance, or regulatory filings preferred.

SALARY RANGE

$81,170 - $121,760 annually, with a target hiring range of $81,170 - $101,460 based on experience, qualifications, and job-related factors.

SALARY DETAILS

Pay will be based on multiple factors, including, and not limited to location, relevant experience/level and skillset while balancing internal equity. Our discretionary bonus program is in addition to the base compensation range listed above. Cercano is committed to fair, unbiased compensation along with competitive benefits in all locations in which we operate.

TOTAL REWARDS

Cercano offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance, Health Savings Account with generous annual employer contribution, Flexible Spending Accounts for health and dependent care, vacation and sick time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, and the opportunity to participate in a 401(k) plan with a generous employer match of 50% of your own contributions up to the standard annual IRS limit, company paid life insurance, and a Health and Wellness Benefit. Employees are also eligible for reimbursement for approved professional development activities.

Cercano Management LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, sex, disability, political ideology, or veteran status, or other protected class.