Managing Director & Managing Counsel, State Street Investment Management – Head of Asia-Pacific Legal

The Opportunity

State Street Investment Management is seeking a seasoned attorney and strategic legal team leader to serve as Managing Director & Managing Counsel, Head of Legal for the Asia-Pacific region. This role is the senior legal advisor to State Street Investment Management's asset management business across the Asia-Pacific region.

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel of State Street Investment Management, the successful candidate will lead a team of legal professionals that serve the State Street Investment asset management business in the Asia-Pacific region and provide strategic legal leadership for institutional distribution activities, investment management services, client engagements, regulatory matters, and business initiatives throughout the region

This is an important leadership role requiring strong commercial judgment and the ability to deliver practical, risk-based, and solutions-oriented legal guidance that supports business growth while ensuring compliance with applicable legal, regulatory, and governance requirements. The position may be based in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong or Australia.

What You Will Be Responsible For

Institutional Distribution and Client Matters

• Lead legal support for State Street Investment Management's asset management business across Asia, including Hong Kong, Singapore, China, South Korea, Japan, India and Australia.
• Provide strategic legal advice regarding State Street Investment Management’s investment management products, institutional, intermediary and wealth distribution activities, institutional client relationships, strategic partnerships and business initiatives.
• Lead negotiations and provide legal support for investment management agreements, client mandates, and other significant commercial arrangements.
• Partner with client-facing and business teams to support client engagements and deliver practical, commercially informed legal guidance.
• Navigate complex cross-border legal and regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.

Strategic Legal, Regulatory and Governance Advice

• Counsel senior management on legal, regulatory, governance, and risk considerations relevant to business strategy and growth objectives.
• Advise on regulatory developments affecting asset management activities and operations within the Asia-Pacific region.
• Partner with State Street Investment Management Compliance, Risk, Operations, Product, and other stakeholders to identify and manage legal and regulatory risks.
• Ensure timely escalation and reporting of significant legal, regulatory, and business developments to senior leadership.
• Translate complex legal and regulatory matters into clear, practical, and actionable guidance for business and control stakeholders.

Product, Business and External Engagement Support

• Support the development and launch of new investment strategies, products, and related strategic initiatives.
• Advise on legal and regulatory considerations associated with institutional investment products, client structures, distribution activities, and related business initiatives.
• Manage outside counsel relationships and related legal expenditures.
• Represent State Street Investment Management within industry forums and maintain effective relationships with regulators, external counsel, and industry participants, as appropriate.
• Promote consistent, scalable, and effective legal support across institutional distribution and client-related activities.

Leadership and Team Management

• Manage, develop, and engage a team of legal professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and high performance.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to senior business leaders.
• Build and lead high-performing teams through coaching, development, and inclusion.
• Promote collaboration across functions and jurisdictions.
• Drive accountability, ownership, and execution excellence.
• Demonstrate sound judgment in managing risk while supporting business growth and innovation.

What We Value

The successful candidate will be a strategic, commercially minded legal executive who can operate effectively at the intersection of law, regulation, institutional client service, business strategy, and cross-border execution.

• Executive presence and the credibility to advise and influence senior business, legal, and control leaders.
• Strong commercial judgment and the ability to balance legal, regulatory, and business objectives.
• A practical, risk-based, and solutions-oriented approach to legal advice and problem-solving.
• The ability to navigate complex cross-border requirements and communicate clear, actionable recommendations.
• Strong leadership capabilities and a demonstrated commitment to developing legal talent.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to build trusted relationships across functions and jurisdictions.
• A commitment to integrity, accountability, inclusion, and disciplined risk management.
• The ability to support business growth and innovation while maintaining sound legal and governance standards.

Education and Preferred Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, attorney, or equivalent legal qualification in a major financial jurisdiction, with Asia regional expertise.
• Minimum 12 years of relevant legal experience within investment management, asset management, financial services, or a leading law firm.
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing teams of legal professionals.
• Extensive experience supporting institutional asset management businesses and institutional client relationships.
• Deep understanding of investment management agreements, institutional distribution models, and applicable asset management regulatory frameworks.
• Experience advising on legal and regulatory matters impacting investment management activities within Asia, including India.
• Experience supporting asset management business activities in India, including relevant legal and regulatory considerations.
• Exceptional drafting, negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and provide clear, practical, solutions-oriented legal advice.
• Experience gained within the legal department of a global asset management firm and supporting a large financial institution.
• Exposure to multiple Asia-Pacific regulatory regimes, including India.
• Experience with cross-border investment management structures.
• Demonstrated success advising senior executives on strategic business, regulatory, and governance matters.

Across the globe, institutional investors rely on us to help them manage risk, respond to challenges, and drive performance and profitability. We keep our clients at the heart of everything we do, and smart, engaged employees are essential to our continued success.

We are committed to fostering an environment where every employee feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. As an essential partner in our shared success, you’ll benefit from inclusive development opportunities, flexible work-life support, paid volunteer days, and vibrant employee networks that keep you connected to what matters most. Join us in shaping the future.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we consider all qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, familial status, military and veteran status, and other characteristics protected by applicable law.

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