Position summary

Vanguard is seeking an Associate Legal Counsel to join its Product and Investment Services Legal team within the broader Europe Legal function, supporting and advising on regulation relating to sustainability topics pertinent to Vanguard’s funds and enterprise, and assisting in providing legal support to its Investment Stewardship function. The role supports ESG and Stewardship initiatives, including regulatory implementation projects, disclosure and reporting obligations, legal research, and horizon scanning.

Why this role matters

Product and Investment Services Legal supports Vanguard’s Product, Investment Management, and Investment Stewardship functions in Europe. This role ensures Vanguard’s funds and enterprise meet evolving UK and EU ESG regulatory requirements and that Stewardship disclosures are accurate and compliant, protecting the millions who trust Vanguard with their futures.

Key responsibilities

• Advise on ESG regulation by providing legal and regulatory advice on ESG requirements and supporting implementation of UK and EU regulations across products, governance, risk, and control frameworks.
• Review and draft disclosures for BAU periodic disclosures and reports concerning specific ESG obligations.
• Support Stewardship reporting by advising on and reviewing annual and other reports, including the Annual Stewardship Code Report, Investment Stewardship Report, Pension UK template, SRD II, and other sustainability reports containing Stewardship disclosures.
• Support regulatory change by contributing to project working groups and workstreams implementing regulations, including SRD II and other regulatory policies and disclosures.
• Conduct legal research and prepare concise outputs, and assist with horizon scanning, regulatory monitoring, and impact assessments on emerging developments.
• Provide day-to-day advice on ESG and Stewardship matters, including BAU queries on live regulation, and build effective relationships across business functions.
• Maintain industry knowledge of investment industry, regulatory, and policy changes affecting Vanguard’s European operations, using legal technology and AI-enabled tools to support research and delivery efficiency.

Team and stakeholders

The role sits in the Product and Investment Services Legal team within Europe Legal, reporting initially to the head of the team and working closely with another team member with a similar remit, supporting the Product, Investment Management, and Investment Stewardship functions and the wider OGC Legal team.

Key details

This is a hybrid role based in Manchester or Dublin, requiring three days per week in the office (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

Requirements

• Qualified lawyer with a minimum of two years’ PQE, gained either in-house within an international asset management organisation and/or in private practice or consultancy, advising on financial services legal and regulatory matters.
• Credible technical skills and experience interpreting regulation applicable to the asset management sector.
• Experience responding to consultation papers and implementing compliance with regulatory change projects, including advising businesses and stakeholders on new and live regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to work on complex legal issues and function in a high-volume, fast-paced environment with multiple and diverse responsibilities, managing a varied and changing caseload.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build effective stakeholder relationships, plus negotiation, analytical, and drafting skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work to tight deadlines.