Senior Counsel

VanEck; Northern, New York (KY, NY); Hybrid; USD 225,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

VanEck is seeking a Senior Corporate Counsel to join its in-house legal team in New York. The role supports private investment activities, including deal execution, private fund formation, and related commercial matters.

This position offers exposure to deal principals and senior leadership, with broad scope across transactions, fund structuring, and cross-border matters. Key growth opportunities exist for an ambitious candidate.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school and admission to the New York Bar (or eligibility for in-house registration in New York).
• At least four years of experience in a law firm or corporate legal department, with substantial focus on private fund formation and private company investments.
• Experience with Investment Advisers Act of 1940 strongly preferred.
• Experience using AI tools to assist with legal work, including drafting, review, and research.

Responsibilities

• Fund formation & vehicle structuring for private funds and SPVs; negotiate related agreements.
• Lead deal work on private company investments and corporate transactions; draft and negotiate purchase agreements and side letters.
• Coordinate with investment, finance, compliance, and tax teams to close on schedule.

Skills

Investment Advisers Act

Negotiation

Independent work

AI tools

Strong communication

Education

JD from accredited law school

New York Bar admission

Tools

AI drafting tools

Contract management

Job description

VanEck is a privately held global asset management firm founded in 1955. We develop forward-looking, intelligently designed, active and ETF strategies that strengthen long-term portfolios. The legal team is seeking a Senior Corporate Counsel to join its in-house legal team in New York. The role supports the firm’s private investment activities, including deal execution, private fund formation, and related commercial matters.

We are looking for someone resourceful and commercially minded who can take ownership of complex matters and grow into adjacent areas as the business develops. Other matters will be assigned from time to time as business needs require.

This is a chance to own the legal execution behind VanEck’s private investment activity and to build the firm’s private fund capability from the ground up. The role offers direct exposure to deal principals and senior leadership, broad scope across transactions, fund structuring, and cross-border matters, and a clear path to expand responsibilities for an ambitious candidate willing to grow with the business.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Includes the following, other duties may be assigned as needed:

• Fund Formation & Vehicle Structuring
  • Support the formation and structuring of investment vehicles, including private funds, SPVs, and, to a lesser extent, public pooled investment vehicles
  • Negotiate and draft related agreements, including investment advisory agreements, distribution agreements and service agreements
• Transactional Execution
• Lead deal work on private company investments and corporate transactions
• Draft and negotiate the full set of transaction documents, including purchase agreements, subscription documents, and side letters
• Coordinate with investment, finance, compliance, and tax teams to close on schedule
• Spot legal and commercial risk, flag it early, and offer practical solutions that keep deals moving

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Qualifications:

• Experience and familiarity with the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 strongly preferred
• Some interest in or exposure to tokenization and digital assets is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently, learn new subject matters quickly, and manage complex projects across multiple stakeholders
• Experience using AI tools to assist with legal work, including drafting, review, and research
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Education and/or Experience:

• JD from an accredited law school and admission to the New York bar (or eligibility for in-house registration in New York)
• At least four years of experience in a law firm or corporate legal department, with substantial focus on private fund formation, private company investments

Compensation:

If this position will be performed in whole or in part in New York City, the base salary range is $225,000 – $250,000. Individual salaries may vary based on different factors including but not limited to, skills, experience, job-related knowledge, and location. Base salary does not include other forms of compensation or benefits offered in connection with this position.

VanEck is committed to treating all applicants and employees fairly and to providing equal opportunity in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws. VanEck does not and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, color, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, covered-veteran or military status, genetic information, and/or any other factor protected by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.