Senior Counsel - ERISA and Investments

At MFS, you will find a culture that supports you in doing what you do best. Our employees work together to reach better outcomes, favoring the strongest idea over the strongest individual. We put people first and demonstrate care and compassion for our community and each other. Because what we do matters – to us as valued professionals and to the millions of people and institutions who rely on us to help them build more secure and prosperous futures.

THE ROLE

Using discretion and judgment, provides legal counsel, planning and services to MFS, its subsidiary companies and its fund complexes.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Identify, assess, and advise on new legislation and regulatory rules relevant to ERISA plans, collective investment trusts, IRAs, and other retirement vehicles (e.g. DOL rules, IRS rules, legislation). Provide legal advice and support relating to MFS-advised Collective Investment Trusts and other MFS-advised pooled investment vehicles. 

• Assists in the research, preparation and/or review of a variety of legal documentation and board materials (including reviewing a CIT's offering memorandum, trust declaration and financial reports), and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, local or multi-jurisdictional laws. 

• Provide legal support to MFS retirement committees with respect to oversight of the MFS retirement plans, including planning quarterly meetings and minutes, preparing plan amendments and implementation of regulator changes.  Provide legal support to Human Resources with respect to plan administration.

• Advise the investment team regarding eligibility of ERISA investors for a variety of fixed income and other investment types.

• Review and interpret statutes, rules, and policies which are relevant to the regulatory functions of MFS, its corporate subsidiaries, and its fund complexes and works with clients to meet their business objectives within the regulatory environment.

• Prepare, and when requested, present materials for the meetings of the various Boards of MFS, its subsidiary companies and/or its fund complexes (including MFS’ limited purpose Trust Company) as well as related shareholder meetings. Additionally, offer legal advice or identify issues of importance to the Boards.

• Serve as legal consultant to business clients for special projects, such as the start-up of a new company, the development of a new sales and marketing strategic alliance, the planning of a corporate tax strategy, etc.

• Negotiate, draft and review agreements over a wide variety of subject matter.

• Work with and oversees the work provided by outside counsel on a variety of legal matters ensuring that standards for service delivery and cost are met.

• Assumes additional responsibilities as requested.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor’s Degree and Juris Doctorate Degree. Must have been admitted to and be a member in good standing of a state bar, such as the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers, or country of practice, such as the UK, Luxembourg, Japan, Australia, etc. 

• 8-12+ years of experience (8+ post bar experience), with at least 6+ years of specialized legal experience in applicable area of law.

• Excellent organization, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Must have excellent project management and coordination skills, and that ability to implement new processes across an organization.

• Must write effectively, have excellent attention to detail. Must be able to communicate effectively with the team and demonstrate an ability to build strong relationships across an array of departments.

• Must have the ability to formulate solutions to mitigate legal and other risk while supporting business objectives, present to business partners with confidence and clarity, thrive in a team-orientated environment, and be able to take ownership of projects.

PREFERRED SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Experience with ERISA matters preferred.

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At MFS, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. If you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly, we encourage you to apply - you might be just the right candidate for this role or others.

• Generous time-off provided: including "Responsible time off" for many roles, paid company holidays when the US Stock Exchange is closed, plus paid volunteer time
• Family Focus: Up to 20 weeks of paid leave for new parents, back-up care program, dependent care flexible spending account, adoption assistance, generous caregiver leave
• Health and Welfare: Competitive medical, vision and dental plans, plus tax-free health savings accounts with company contributions
• Wellness Programs: Robust wellness webinars, employee assistance program, gym reimbursement through our medical plans, fitness center discounts and more
• Life & Disability Benefits: Company-paid basic life insurance and short-term disability
• Financial Benefits: 401(k) savings plan, Defined Contribution plan- 15% of base salary invested into the Plan, competitive total compensation programs

MFS is a hybrid work environment (remote/onsite) unless otherwise stated in the job posting.

If any applicant is unable to complete an application or respond to a job opening because of a disability, please contact MFS at 617-954-5000 or email [email protected] for assistance. 

MFS is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and it is our policy to not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws. Employees and applicants of MFS will not be subject to harassment on the basis of their status. Additionally, retaliation, including intimidation, threats, or coercion, because an employee or applicant has objected to discrimination, engaged or may engage in filing a complaint, assisted in a review, investigation, or hearing or have otherwise sought to obtain their legal rights under any Federal, State, or local EEO law is prohibited. Please see the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal document and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision, linked for your reference.