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

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.

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

• 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.