JPMorgan Asset Management - Institutional Contract Specialist Vice President 

United States, New York, New York 

162003270

J.P. Morgan Asset Management (JPMAM) is a leading investment manager of choice for institutions, financial intermediaries and individual investors worldwide. With a heritage of more than two centuries, a broad range of core and alternative strategies, and investment professionals operating in every major world market, we offer investment experience and insight that few other firms can match.

As a Contract Specialist within Client Service you will be primarily responsible for working with Institutional North America and Insurance clients. You will be responsbile for a broad range of internal stakeholders to facilitate new and existing client business through the drafting and negotiation of Investment Management Agreements (“IMAs”) and other client onboarding agreements and documentation.You will have the exciting opportunity to help align the firm’s global client onboarding processes as well as streamline the management and negotiation of client onboarding documentation.

Job Responsibilities

The Contract Specialist will focus on being an effective transaction manager by performing the following functions:

• Drafting of JPMAM IMAs, Participation Agreements and related contractual and non-contractual documentation;
• Reviewing and negotiation of client form template agreements, investment guidelines, fee schedules as well as service level agreements and investment policy statements
• Collaborating closely with other internal groups throughout the firm (i.e. Investment Specialists, Product Teams, Operations, Compliance, Fee Billing, etc.) to get input on various provisions to help resolve complex legal and operational issues
• Identifiying and consolidation of potential issues and roadblocks in agreements that may pose investment, operational, or legal risks to the firm
• Obtaining a robust understanding of the business practices associated with JPMAM’s multiple asset classes and product groups, the internal views on the various terms in the agreements, and the risk associated with agreeing to deviations from standard terms
• Partnering with client business and Legal in negotiations with clients directly, or the client’s legal counsel to ensure all potential issues and roadblocks are resolved to a mutually beneficial position for both the client and the JPMAM
• Working closely with the investment teams to ensure that investment guidelines and other investment criteria for each client mandate correctly and accurately reflect both the client and the firm’s investment intention

Required qualifications, capabilities, and skills

• A legal background or qualification with asset management or financial services knowledge and in-depth experience drafting contractual documentation within the asset management or financial services industry
• Bachelor’s Degree (BA) required
• 5+ years drafting and negotiating Investment Management Agreements or related buy-side documentation
• Knowledge of the asset management industry (fund types, client base and strategies, operational set up and products) and applicable law and regulations
• Excellent communication and presentation skills (both oral and written) and an ability to clearly articulate complex issues
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and to remain composed and organized under time-sensitive deadlines
• Team player, collaborative and is able to build consensus amongst a broad range of stakeholders

Preferred qualifications, capabilities, and skills

• Juris Doctor Degree (optional)