40 Act Paralegal

About the role

Aberdeen Investments is part of Aberdeen Group plc, one of the UK’s leading Wealth & Investments groups. The Global Product team’s mission is to work in partnership across internal and external networks to create and maintain an innovative, diverse product and solutions suite. The client is at the heart of all we do as a Product team, ensuring adequate framework facilitates the launch and ongoing management of the global product range.

Product Governance represents the client voice within the organization. This function ensures that all products and related vehicles (“Aberdeen Products”) are supported by appropriate legal, regulatory, and contractual documentation. The team ensures products meet obligations required by relevant laws and regulations and monitors for changes in regulations, as well as supports investor services with shareholder/client engagement. The team is responsible for the end-to-end product lifecycle for all public market asset classes in the Americas region.

The 40 Act Paralegal will support the Senior Product Governance Managers and US Counsel – Head of Product Governance, with specific responsibility for supporting Product Governance processes and activities to ensure all products meet their corporate, legal, and regulatory obligations, as well as corporate initiatives. The role has a particular focus on supporting Aberdeen’s U.S. registered open-end funds, ETFs, and closed-end funds.

Responsibilities

• Assists senior members of the Product Governance team with updating fund registration statements on Forms N-1A, N-2, and S-3 and fund proxy statements.
• Prepares and files forms under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, Forms N-CSR, N-PX, and other routine SEC filings for registered funds.
• Prepares and files corporate governance forms and correspondence with US exchanges (i.e., NYSE, NYSE American, Nasdaq).
• Coordinates with client services to provide information to sub-advised clients for their fund filings.
• Assists in the review of fund shareholder reports.
• Works closely with senior members of the Product Governance team to update fund disclosure and to organize, track, and maintain disclosure updates.
• Assists with closings of fund capital structures (leverage/preferred shares/overdraft facilities), as needed.
• Assists in preparation of Section 15(c) advisory contract renewal materials.
• Prepares draft amendments to fund contracts, as necessary.
• Assists in preparation of memoranda to fund boards relating to special projects and drafts special resolutions, as needed.
• Monitors and updates internal databases to ensure accuracy as it pertains to certain fund data.
• Maintains fund files and retrieves requests for fund documentation, as needed.
• Works closely with and assists other members of the Product Governance - Legal/Regulatory team.
• Demonstrates Aberdeen’s corporate values (Client First, Empowered, Ambitious, Transparent) and behaviors consistently.
• Takes a proactive approach to contribute to a high-performing team culture.
• Strives for efficiencies in delivery on the team’s obligations.
• Promotes and encourages an inclusive environment to adapt and excel to ever-evolving client needs and market dynamics.
• Champions a strong desire for continual personal development.
• Seeks internal and external perspective to enhance all activity (Client, Market, and Competitor Insight).
• Works with colleagues globally to advise and support improvements in product governance in the Americas (Global Linkage).
• Focuses on delivering what matters, laying out a clearly prioritized and agreed activity plan (Prioritization).
• Undertakes all activity with a focus on key risk mitigation and management frameworks (Risk Mindset).
• Optimizes processes continually to deliver governance objectives in a timely and efficient manner (Process).
• Demonstrates inclusive leadership with a passion and drive for excellence (Leadership).

Requirements

• 4-year College Degree.
• Minimum 2+ years’ experience in the mutual fund or financial services industry.
• Solid understanding of U.S. registered funds (open-end funds, ETFs, or closed-end funds), securities laws and regulations, and familiarity with some concepts of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”).
• Legal or paralegal background preferred.
• Experience at a law firm is a plus.
• Resilient work ethic, including the ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously, meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment, and remain nimble when priorities change.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Close attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
• Curiosity and drive to learn.
• Ethical nature, with the highest standards of integrity, tact, and discretion.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience with DocuBuilder is a plus.

Schedule

• Minimum of 3 days a week in the Philadelphia office.
• Less than 5% travel required.
• Overtime as required by certain projects.

Benefits

• Best-in-class Medical, Dental, and Vision plans with well-known carriers; Telehealth and Health Concierge services.
• Health, Dependent, and Commuter Flexible Spending Plans.
• Employer-provided Life Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term disability with additional optional coverage options.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings plan with top-notch company Profit Sharing contribution which is immediately vested.
• Generous time off starting day one with 4+ weeks annual vacation plus 9 paid holidays.
• Paid Parental, Adoption, and Family Sick/Caregiver leave programs.
• Volunteer Days and Study Time to focus on what is important to you.
• Charitable donation matching up to $500 per year.
• Employee Assistance, Travel, and Discount Programs.
• Flexible, voluntary benefits including Accident Insurance, Identity Protection, and Legal Assistance.
• Wellness program including Nutritional Counseling and Gym Membership Reimbursements.