Senior Legal Specialist

John Hancock; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

John Hancock, a Manulife company, seeks a Senior Legal Specialist to provide regulatory support for SEC filings and fund disclosures, ensuring compliance with the Investment Company Act and Securities Act. You will coordinate with the Director, manage multiple filings, and keep stakeholders informed.

The role emphasizes independence, accuracy, and timely delivery in a fast-paced environment, with hybrid work in Boston and a salary range aligned with market conditions and responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree.
• At least seven years of experience preparing mutual fund prospectuses, registration statements, supplements, proxy statements, and other disclosure documents.
• Experience with open-end fund SEC filings and related disclosure requirements.
• Experience with closed-end funds is a plus.
• Working knowledge of EDGAR and common-language databases.
• Ability to work effectively and independently in a demanding, fast-paced, and fluid environment.
• Availability to work overtime as needed, including during some peak holiday periods.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and file SEC registration statements for open-end and closed-end funds.
• Draft and file proxy statements for open-end and closed-end fund proxy solicitations.
• Prepare and coordinate supplements, merger filings, and other fund disclosure documents and related activities.
• Review shareholder reports.
• Keep management, staff, and outside counsel informed of developments affecting assigned funds.
• Maintain current knowledge of regulatory and industry developments relevant to investment companies.
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines with minimal supervision, including overtime or work during peak holiday periods when needed.

Skills

Mutual fund regulation knowledge

EDGAR familiarity

Attention to detail

Pressure deadlines

Independent with teamwork

Integrity and professionalism

Education

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts

Tools

EDGAR

ArcPro

Job description

The Senior Legal Specialist reports to the Director and Managing Legal Specialist and provides regulatory support for registration statements, supplements, proxy and merger filings, and related activities to ensure legal compliance with requirements and internal standards.

Position Responsibilities

• Prepare and file SEC registration statements for open-end and closed-end funds.
• Draft and file proxy statements for open-end and closed-end fund proxy solicitations.
• Prepare and coordinate supplements, merger filings, and other fund disclosure documents and related activities.
• Review shareholder reports.
• Keep management, staff, and outside counsel informed of developments affecting assigned funds.
• Maintain current knowledge of regulatory and industry developments relevant to investment companies.
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines with minimal supervision, including overtime or work during peak holiday periods when needed.

Core Skills & Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of mutual fund regulation and compliance, including the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Securities Act of 1933.
• Experience with EDGAR and common-language databases; ArcPro experience is a plus but is not required.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, written and verbal communication, and commitment to high quality work.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects, work under pressure, and meet deadlines in a demanding, fast paced, and fluid environment.
• Flexibility and adaptability in response to changing priorities, business needs, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while contributing effectively as a team member.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, collegiality, and respect in interactions with department members and business partners.

Strategic Impact & Key Challenges

• Supports the legal department in meeting SEC filing obligations and internal standards for open-end and closed-end funds.
• Helps manage legal and regulatory risk through accurate, timely, and high-quality preparation and review of fund disclosure and shareholder materials.
• Coordinates across management, legal staff, and outside counsel to keep assigned matters progressing and stakeholders informed.
• Monitors regulatory and industry developments and applies current requirements to assigned fund work.
• Balances overlapping filings, compressed deadlines, shifting priorities, and peak-period demands while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree.
• At least seven years of experience preparing mutual fund prospectuses, registration statements, supplements, proxy statements, and other disclosure documents.
• Experience with open-end fund SEC filings and related disclosure requirements.
• Experience with closed-end funds is a plus.
• Working knowledge of EDGAR and common-language databases.
• Ability to work effectively and independently in a demanding, fast-paced, and fluid environment.
• Availability to work overtime as needed, including during some peak holiday periods.

When you join our team

We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.

We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.

As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

#LI-JH

#LI-Hybrid

The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [e-mail].

Referenced Salary Location

Boston, Massachusetts

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$92,475.00 USD - $160,290.00 USD

Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [e-mail] for the salary range for your location.

Manulife/John Hancock offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in the U.S. includes up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick time (or more where required by law) each year, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence.

We use data and analytics technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and automated processing tools, to analyze and process the information you provide to us or third parties in the application process. For more information, please refer to our personal information collection statement.

Know Your Rights I Family & Medical Leave I Employee Polygraph Protection I Right to Work I E-Verify

Company: John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.)