SVP, Head of Investment Services Legal (Americas)

SVP, Head of Investment Services Legal (Americas)

Role Summary:

The SVP, Head of Investment Services (IS) Legal for the Americas is a senior strategic leader responsible for delivering sophisticated legal counsel that supports the region’s complex and rapidly evolving Investment Services business. Reporting to the EVP, Head of Investment Services and Markets Legal, this role serves as the senior legal advisor to the region and is a key voice in shaping business strategy, operational resiliency, and risk‑aligned growth.

The role requires an accomplished legal executive with deep subject-matter expertise, exceptional judgment, and the ability to frame legal guidance within commercial, regulatory, and enterprise-risk contexts. Success requires a proactive mindset, strong communication and influencing skills, and the ability to build trust-based advisory relationships across senior business, control, and corporate stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities include:

Strategic Legal Leadership

• Serve as the senior legal advisor to the IS Americas executive team and influence strategic decision‑making with timely, commercially focused legal counsel.

• Advise on business transformation, operating model changes, and large-scale initiatives, ensuring alignment with regulatory and enterprise‑risk expectations.

• Represent the Legal Division on Americas IS governance bodies, providing insight on legal, regulatory, and operational risk implications of business activities.

Legal & Regulatory Advisory

• Provide authoritative guidance on regulatory frameworks affecting Investment Services in the Americas, including custody, accounting, fund administration, middle office, transfer agency, and data-related services.

• Track and interpret emerging regulatory developments, advising on potential impacts and preparing the business for change.

• Partner with Regulatory, Litigation, and Compliance teams to respond to examinations, supervisory requests, enforcement matters, and escalated issues.

Transactional & Commercial Support

• Lead the negotiation of complex commercial agreements, outsourcing arrangements, client service contracts, and multi-jurisdictional initiatives.

• Provide guidance on risk allocation, regulatory considerations, contract governance, and execution of strategic partnerships.

• Advise on key commercial levers in pricing models, performance standards, and client service constructs.

• Work collaboratively with peers outside of the Americas to deliver cohesive advice to the global Investment Services business.

Governance, Risk & Controls

• Collaborate with Compliance, Risk, and Operations to maintain effective legal, operational, and risk‑control frameworks.

• Assess emerging legal risks, validate risk‑mitigation strategies, oversee legal impacts of operational incidents, and ensure timely escalation.

• Promote a culture of proactive risk identification and transparent reporting.

Leadership & Talent Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop an Americas-based IS legal team, reinforcing a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence.

• Help structure and drive strategy and professional development as part of the Investment Services and Markets Legal management team.

• Serve as a leader in the broader Legal Department and firm.

• Ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities, effective workload distribution, and execution against performance priorities.

• Oversee engagement and performance management of outside counsel, ensuring quality and cost efficiency.

Qualifications:

• 15+ years of legal experience in financial services with deep expertise in asset servicing, investment operations, or fintech.

• Demonstrated leadership advising senior executives on complex regulatory and commercial matters.

• Strong capability to interpret and apply regulatory expectations to business strategies and control environments.

• Exceptional influencing, communication, and stakeholder‑management skills.

• Juris Doctor degree and admission to practice in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

Are you the right candidate? Yes!

We truly believe in the power that comes from the diverse backgrounds and experiences our employees bring with them. Although each vacancy details what we are looking for, we don’t necessarily need you to fulfil all of them when applying. If you like change and innovation, seek to see the bigger picture, make d