SVP, Deputy General Counsel

Job Description:

The Role

Legal is a trusted partner and expert adviser to Fidelity's businesses and shared services functions. Together, we work through a complex and changing regulatory environment and competitive marketplaces to achieve the firm's goals with creativity, innovation, and speed, while mitigating risk and protecting and enhancing Fidelity's values and reputation.  The Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel role will be based in either Boston, MA or Washington, DC, leading a team of over 20 professionals supporting the Workplace Investing (WI) business.  WI helps employers lead successful benefits programs to improve their employees’ overall well-being.  WI offers a broad range of integrated retirement, financial, health, and benefits solutions and provides innovative technology, strategic collaboration, exceptional service, and engaging employee experiences. 

The Team

The role will involve coordination and collaboration with colleagues in Asset Management, Brokerage, Wealth, and other Fidelity business units, as well as corporate services and control function business partners, in the development, operation, and distribution of products and services. The role will also involve support of a wide variety of investments from an ERISA perspective.  You will lead a dynamic legal team advising Fidelity’s defined contribution plan administration business, health and welfare benefit business, and related products and services they offer, including product and service development, ongoing plan administration, reporting and disclosure, plan document and contract support, and investment related matters. You will also collaborate on advocacy for, and implementation of, new legislation and regulation affecting the business.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide legal and strategic advice and counsel to our business partners on ERISA and related legal matters with respect to our proprietary collective investment trusts, private funds and managed accounts, including alternative investment products.  Focus of advice will include ERISA fiduciary duties and prohibited transaction rules, as well as the review and drafting of relevant documentation, e.g. offering documents, subscription documents, advisory and discretionary investment management agreements.
• Facilitation of the growth of the business in existing investment asset classes and support developing and launching new investment strategies and initiatives and evaluating new technology and tools relating to the offering of alternative investments.
• Provide legal and strategic advice to the WI defined contribution plan administration business, health and welfare benefit business, and related products and services they offer, as well as other retirement products and services throughout the firm.  Advice will span product and service development, ongoing plan administration, reporting and disclosure, plan document and contract support, and investment related matters, among other things.
• Advise business and control function partners in the context of new business initiatives and implementation of new legal and regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with business and control function partners to identify changing laws and regulations and coordinate effective, fluid, and timely implementation of policy, process, and procedural changes to ensure compliance.

The Expertise You Bring:

• Crisp, clear oral and written communication skills; the ability to reduce complex legal issues to straightforward, practical analysis and advice.
• Business acumen relevant to investment management offerings and new product development; demonstrated ability to absorb and use relevant job knowledge.
• Ability to manage outside counsel to provide excellent legal services in a cost-effective manner.
• Natural collaborative approach in devising pragmatic and creative solutions across a variety of issues in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships and credibility, internally and externally.
• Refined leadership and influence skills.
• Strategic and critical thinking skills, excellent judgment, and decision-making skills.
• Professional maturity, confidence, presence, and initiative.
• Entrepreneurial spirit, and a desire to learn.
• Agility and resilience characterized by ability to educate and influence others to embrace and move quickly and flexibly in developing and implementing new ideas, and ability to stay calm under pressure with a “can-do” attitude.

Qualifications:

• J.D. required, member in good standing with the Massachusetts State Bar Association
• Excellent academic record
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience at a law firm and/or in-house at a top-tier leading financial services organization
• Expert knowledge of employee benefits law applicable to defined contribution plans including 401(a), 403(b) and 457 plans and health and welfare benefit plans, focusing on the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA
• Experience advising on collective investment funds, private funds, managed accounts and other plan asset vehicles
• Knowledge and experience with securities laws as they relate to employee benefit plans
• Experience managing and developing a team of seasoned legal professionals; demonstrated management experience in leading a team through change

Fidelity’s Onsite Working Model
Fidelity is transitioning to a full-time onsite working model through a phased rollout across regions and roles. Currently, some roles and locations require 100% onsite presence, while others require less. Onsite expectations are likely to evolve as the rollout continues. This transition does not apply to fully remote roles.

The base salary range for this position is $185,000-$400,000 per year.  

Placement in the range will vary based on job responsibilities and scope, geographic location, candidate’s relevant experience, and other factors.

Base salary is only part of the total compensation package. Depending on the position and eligibility requirements, the offer package may also include bonus or other variable compensation.   

We offer a wide range of benefits to meet your evolving needs and help you live your best life at work and at home.  These benefits include comprehensive health care coverage and emotional well-being support, market-leading retirement, generous paid time off and parental leave, charitable giving employee match program, and educational assistance including student loan repayment, tuition reimbursement, and learning resources to develop your career.  Note, the application window closes when the position is filled or unposted.

Please be advised that Fidelity’s business is governed by the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act of 1940, ERISA, numerous state laws governing securities, investment and retirement-related financial activities and the rules and regulations of numerous self-regulatory organizations, including FINRA, among others. Those laws and regulations may restrict Fidelity from hiring and/or associating with individuals with certain Criminal Histories.

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