Overview
This position will report to the Head of Legal & Compliance International. This position must foster a collaborative environment that ensures timely communication and strong cooperation between the business, legal, compliance, risk, and audit team in APAC and / or in USA or European hubs.
We currently operate in a hybrid working model, whereby you will be required to work in-office 4 days per week.
Location(s): Hong Kong
Responsibilities
- Be responsible for the legal function for Allspring’s APAC business operations, which currently has offices located in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo
- Support and interact regularly with other functional groups at Allspring, including Allspring’s product development, product management, investment management, sales, marketing, risk management, technology, compliance, finance, and operations teams
- Manage Allspring’s relationships with local regulatory authorities in the APAC region
- Provide legal advice and support on a wide variety of matters, including among other things (i) preparing and filing applications for registration and licensing of Allspring’s operating entities and funds with local regulators; (ii) drafting prospectus and other fund documentation for Allspring mutual fund products offered in the APAC region; (iii) reviewing and negotiating investment management agreements, distribution agreements and other types of agreements for Allspring’s asset management business, (iv) advising on and assisting with the implementation of new laws and regulations in the region; (v) managing the company secretarial function for Allspring’s APAC subsidiaries, and (vi) advising the sales teams on licensing and private placement exemptions available in different countries in the region
- Oversee the Allspring Hong Kong and Singapore Compliance Programs to ensure business alignment with relevant regulation, internal policies, and procedures
- Perform the roles of Compliance Officer for the Allspring Singapore legal entity, developing and enhancing the Singapore Compliance Program to address MAS expectations and Allspring business needs
- Perform the roles of Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Reporting Officer roles for the Allspring Hong Kong legal entity, developing and enhancing the Hong Kong Compliance Program to address SFC expectations and Allspring business needs
- Be the Manager-in-Charge of the core functions of Compliance and AML/CTF for Allspring Hong Kong
- Serve as a primary point of contact and liaison for the local regulators (e.g. the SFC and the MAS)
- Advise senior management of significant legal and compliance matters and proactively anticipate changes in the regulatory environment to help inform APAC business strategy
- Represent APAC Legal matters in Allspring regional committees and legal entity boards
- Build and maintain strong relationships with other functional leads covering APAC, including Internal Audit, and Risk
- Oversee the maintenance of compliance manuals to reflect Hong Kong and Singapore requirements, whilst maintaining close alignment and where possible consistency with Allspring Global policies and procedures
- Advising International teams on internal policies and procedures
- Conduct and/or advise on the contents of ongoing training of Singapore and Hong Kong staff
- Advise on the monitoring and testing program to provide independent validation of business controls as expected by Singapore and Hong Kong regulations, whether by own activities or by leveraging Global Compliance team specialist resources
- Promote the values of Allspring Legal, Compliance, Risk and Audit with employees, placing an emphasis on acting with integrity, collaborating with business partners, thinking creatively, embracing diversity, and implementing a team-first mindset
- Partner with US Compliance regarding US SEC rules and regulations applicable to Allspring Singapore, and common policies and procedures.
- Work alongside and collaborate with legal department colleagues in the US and UK
- Note: In addition to these functions employees are required to carry out such other duties as may reasonably be required
Qualifications
PREFERRED SKILLS
- Strong leadership skills and experience leading and supporting strategic business, legal and compliance initiatives
- Strong contract analytical and drafting skills and experience managing contract lifecycle
- Experience in advising on legal and regulatory aspects of product development, including creation, and structuring of new products and investment strategies, providing feedback on firm responses to complex RFPs and marketing activities
- Experience in providing legal advice relating to global portfolio management, distribution and marketing activities
- Attention to detail, intellectual curiosity and strong analytical skills with ability to provide practical advice relating to complex contractual and regulatory matters
- Collegiate with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; and ability to provide constructive challenge to colleagues and partners
- Ability to be proactive, solutions driven and flexible to changing priorities and deadlines with a proven track record of meeting tight deadlines
- Experience in working with regulators in the region
- Ability to effectively and constructively manage change in an organization
- Strong interpersonal, influencing, and communications skills with an ability to interact effectively with stakeholders and regulators, and the ability to effectively manage and build relationships within the business and compliance
- Ethical integrity and demonstrated ability to assess and determine when to raise concerns and escalate
- Strong analytical ability used to identify compliance risks and confidently raise and escalate issues where necessary
- Proven ability to proactively manage and resolve conflict and effectively defend decisions with objective rationale
REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS
- Qualified lawyer in Hong Kong, Singapore or a common law jurisdiction
- 10+ years of post-qualification experience, with a minimum of 5 years of experience advising and working in the major asset management industries in the APAC region and in compliance or related disciplines in asset management (includes compliance programs, financial crimes, ethics, compliance monitoring, exam management)
- High degree of technical expertise and knowledge under the laws of Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and other countries in the APAC region as they relate to asset management activities, including the regulation of investment firms and establishment, operation and marketing of investment funds
- Prior experience with developing policy and procedures associated with SFC and / or MAS rules, regulations, and compliance related requirement
- Advanced understanding of regional compliance regulations in Hong Kong and / or Singapore, preferably both
Compensation
Disclosure
We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment regardless of age, race, color, national origin, sex, religion, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status