Vice President, Counsel

harbourvest; United States; Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

HarbourVest Partners is seeking a Vice President, Counsel to support its Evergreen fund platform within a global legal team. You will advise on fund formation, fundraising, compliance, and investor matters across a sophisticated, multi-strategy private markets platform.

This hybrid role involves drafting and negotiating fund documents, coordinating with external counsel, and mentoring internal teams on new product offerings while navigating US securities laws and governance issues.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience with private funds and evergreen fund formations.
• Deep knowledge of US securities laws and fund governance.
• Proven ability to draft, negotiate, and oversee fund-related documents.

Responsibilities

• Support product development, distribution, and governance of Wealth-focused products in the US.
• Draft and negotiate fund documents and service provider contracts; work with external counsel.
• Collaborate with Legal and Compliance daily; provide mentorship on new product offerings.
• Analyze impacts of changing US laws on funds and business.
• Partner with internal teams to advance business objectives while ensuring compliance.
• Communicate complex legal topics effectively to non-legal stakeholders.

Skills

Private funds

US securities laws

Document negotiation

Leadership

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Job Description Summary

For over forty years, HarbourVest has been home to a committed team of professionals with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to deliver impactful solutions to our clients and investing partners. As our global firm grows, we continue to add individuals who seek a collaborative, open-door culture that values diversity and innovative thinking.

In our collegial environment, that's marked by low turnover and high energy, you'll be inspired to grow and thrive. Here, you will be encouraged to build on your strengths and acquire new skills and experiences.

We are committed to fostering an environment of inclusion that promotes mutual respect among all employees. Understanding and valuing these differences optimizes the potential of both the individual and the firm.

HarbourVest is an equal opportunity employer.

This position will be a hybrid work arrangement. You will receive 18 remote workdays per quarter to use at your discretion, subject to manager approval. For example, you may choose to work in the office 4 days per week and take one remote day weekly (typically 13 weeks per quarter), leaving 5 additional remote days to be used as needed.

HarbourVest Partners is seeking a Vice President, Counsel to support its Evergreen fund platform within a dynamic and globally coordinated legal team. This individual will play a central role in advising on fund formation, fundraising, compliance, and investor-related matters across a sophisticated, multi strategy private markets platform. This role will act as a key legal partner providing counsel on the structuring and execution of Evergreen funds, including those registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The role involves close collaboration with internal collaborators and external counsel throughout the fundraising lifecycle. This covers fund formation, investor negotiations, and governance matters.

The ideal candidate is:

• Extensive experience assisting with the establishment, maintenance, and oversight of private equity and secondaries funds. These include investment companies registered with the SEC and evergreen commingled funds offered to the Wealth channel.
• Firsthand knowledge of the securities laws, rules and regulations applicable to Registered Investment Advisers, Registered Investment Companies, and private fund offerings, including the Investment Adviser Act of 1940, Investment Company Act of 1940, Securities Act of 1933, and Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
• Experience with the formation and offering of private funds, including negotiation of all fund related documents.
• Knowledge of fund investment process and documentation, including experience with side-by-side investing in the context of Registered Investment Companies alongside private funds and accounts pursuant to a Co-Investment Exemptive Application.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication and presentation skills (eloquent and influential), including proficiency in making sophisticated technical and legal issues understandable in everyday terms.
• Strategic problem solver with a cross-functional perspective, who can effectively achieve goals. Pro-active, upbeat, and self-assured professional with high personal integrity and the ability to develop relationships with collaborators.
• Passion for the firm's mission and for its diverse and inclusive culture.

What you will do:

• Actively support product development, distribution, and governance of Wealth-focused products in the US and serve as a trusted resource and adviser to investment teams, investor relations, and all internal control functions across all aspects of the company's business.
• Exercise good judgment in elevating matters to the SVP, Registered Funds Counsel, and other senior executives, as appropriate.
• Draft and negotiate fund and disclosure documents, service provider contracts, distribution agreements, and a variety of management company contracts. Work closely with and be responsible for external counsel.
• Proactively collaborate with Legal and Compliance colleagues daily.
• Analyze the impacts of changing US laws, rules, and regulations on the company and its funds.
• Collaborate with internal partners by providing mentorship on the development and implementation of new product offerings.
• And other responsibilities as required.

What you bring:

• At least 6-10+ years of legal experience gained through a major law firm, or a combination of major law firm and in-house experience.
• Considerable experience and in-depth knowledge of private funds, registered investment companies and new evergreen commingled fund formations, disclosure documentation, offering process, governance and US financial regulations.
• Ability to understand business strategy and deliver practical legal advice-including thoughtful risk assessment, creative problem-solving, and broad legal and commercial guidance-that advances business objectives while ensuring compliance with applicable laws.

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