Executive Director, Legal

To be considered for the Executive Director, Legal role at MUFG Investor Services, candidates must be qualified lawyers with 7-10 years of post-qualification experience. A valid practicing certificate from either England and Wales or New York is essential. Experience in an in-house legal environment, particularly within a banking, fund management, or fund service provider context, is highly desirable.

The Executive Director, Legal at MUFG Investor Services is responsible for providing comprehensive legal advisory and regulatory support. Key tasks include reviewing and drafting critical legal documents, negotiating service agreements, managing timelines and expectations, responding to internal legal queries, and coordinating with external legal counsel to support various business functions.

In the role of Executive Director, Legal, you'll engage routinely with various internal stakeholders, including operational departments, senior management, client services teams, and internal committees. This collaboration is essential to ensuring legal risks are understood, navigated, and managed effectively throughout the organization.

The Executive Director, Legal may support and manage various projects and new business initiatives that require legal guidance and oversight. This responsibility involves coordinating with both internal teams and external legal resources, as well as creating and maintaining legal precedents in response to evolving regulatory and market conditions.

At MUFG Investor Services, the Executive Director, Legal can expect a highly competitive compensation package that includes a comprehensive medical insurance scheme, a group pension plan, reimbursement for professional subscriptions, paid holidays, and business casual support like gym memberships. The company also emphasizes a positive work culture, especially with its Hybrid Working model.

When answering this question, provide specific examples of documents you've worked on, such as service agreements or regulatory compliance documents. Explain the negotiation processes you’ve undertaken and highlight the outcomes that benefited your previous employers, showcasing your ability to navigate complex legal environments.

Discuss your strategies for prioritization, such as using tools for project management, setting clear timelines, and communicating effectively with stakeholders. Include examples of how you’ve successfully managed multiple projects or tight deadlines without compromising quality in your legal work.

In your answer, emphasize the importance of continuous learning and professional development. Mention specific resources such as legal journals, webinars, and industry events you regularly engage with to keep your knowledge current. This shows your proactive approach to staying informed and adapting to changes in the legal landscape.

Outline your approach to conflict resolution, focusing on communication and collaboration. Share experiences where you've managed to resolve disputes effectively while maintaining professional relationships. Highlight your ability to listen actively and understand differing perspectives, showing your skills in mediation and negotiation.

Provide instances showcasing your management of external counsel, including how you facilitated communication between parties, ensured alignment on legal strategies, and maintained control over budgets and resources. Discuss any challenges faced and how you addressed them to deliver successful outcomes for your organization.

Choose a specific legal challenge, detailing the context and implications it had on your company. Walk through the steps you took to analyze, strategize, and implement a solution. Highlight the result of your actions and any key learnings that emerged from the experience.

Discuss the processes and systems you use to keep compliance top of mind, such as regular audits, policy updates, and collaboration with relevant departments. Highlight your experience in drafting compliance documentation and conducting training sessions to ensure ongoing awareness of regulatory requirements.

Share your perspective on the importance of in-house legal teams in driving business objectives while managing risks. Discuss how an in-house lawyer acts as a trusted advisor, helps navigate legal complexities, and provides strategic guidance to support growth and innovation in the company.

Emphasize the importance of networking and relationship building. Share examples of how you've built collaborative relationships with different business units by showing genuine interest in their work and understanding their needs. Discuss how this makes you a better legal advisor and contributes to a more cohesive workplace environment.

Reflect on your own career aspirations and alignment with MUFG Investor Services' values, culture, and opportunities for growth. Mention specific elements of the role that excite you—such as the focus on fund administration and regulatory issues—and how your experience equips you to contribute effectively to the team.