Sr. Counsel - Singapore

At MFS, you will find a culture that supports you in doing what you do best. Our employees work together to reach better outcomes, favoring the strongest idea over the strongest individual. We put people first and demonstrate care and compassion for our community and each other. Because what we do matters – to us as valued professionals and to the millions of people and institutions who rely on us to help them build more secure and prosperous futures.

THE ROLE

Using discretion and judgment, provides legal advice and related planning and services primarily to the MFS Singapore office and MFS’ business in Asia, as well as to MFS’ other subsidiary companies and its fund complexes globally.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Ensures that MFS is able to conduct business locally through appropriate regulatory permissions in Asia, including licenses and registrations.  Ensures all such completed documentation, licenses and registrations are in compliance with local or multi-jurisdictional laws and regulations as applicable and works with the MFS Compliance Department to ensure all activities of local MFS offices meet the requirements of such licenses and registrations.

• Reviews and interprets statutes, rules, and policies which are relevant to the regulatory functions of MFS, its corporate subsidiaries, and its fund complexes and works with internal business clients to meet their business objectives within the regulatory environment.

• Oversees the negotiations of contracts, deals, and agreements that MFS and/or its subsidiary companies and fund complexes may enter into with third party vendors, such as brokerage houses, service organizations, custodial banks, institutional clients, external research services, bond restructurings, workouts of troubled securities, etc.

• Supports the day-to-day business function of the MFS Singapore Office, including its investment, distribution, marketing and securities trading activities.  Works as the principal legal liaison with the Department Heads in supporting their business activities, plans and objectives.

• Serves as legal consultant to business clients for special projects, such as the start-up of a new company, the development of a new sales and marketing strategic alliance, the planning of a corporate tax strategy, etc.

• Prepares, and when requested, presents materials for the meetings of the various Boards of MFS, its subsidiary companies and/or its fund complexes as well as related shareholder meetings. These materials include agendas, minutes of the meetings, fee reviews, etc. Additionally, this individual may offer legal advice or identify issues of importance to the Boards.

• Works with and oversees the work provided by outside counsel on a variety of legal matters ensuring that standards for service delivery and cost are met.

• Assumes additional responsibilities as requested.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Authorized to practice law in Singapore or another jurisdiction in which the Singapore Office conducts its activities.

• 8-12+ years of experience (8+ post legal qualification experience), with at least 6+ years of specialized legal experience in applicable area of finance, investment or asset management areas of law.

• Excellent organization, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Must have excellent project management and coordination skills, and that ability to implement new processes across an organization.

• Fluency in English required; additional language skill such as Cantonese or Korean would be helpful but are not required.

#LI-HYBRID

At MFS, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. If you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly, we encourage you to apply - you might be just the right candidate for this role or others.

What we offer:

At MFS, we view our employees as family — and like you, we want our family happy and healthy. That's why we provide competitive benefits programs and family-friendly policies which support the work-life balance needs of our employees.
 

MFS is a hybrid work environment (remote/onsite) unless otherwise stated in the job posting.

If any applicant is unable to complete an application or respond to a job opening because of a disability, please contact MFS at 617-954-5000 or email [email protected] for assistance. 

MFS is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and it is our policy to not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws. Employees and applicants of MFS will not be subject to harassment on the basis of their status. Additionally, retaliation, including intimidation, threats, or coercion, because an employee or applicant has objected to discrimination, engaged or may engage in filing a complaint, assisted in a review, investigation, or hearing or have otherwise sought to obtain their legal rights under any Federal, State, or local EEO law is prohibited. Please see the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal document and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision, linked for your reference.