Head of APAC Regulatory Affairs
Working within a trade association is unique. It combines deep knowledge of the law and the business of the member firms with a prominent advocacy component and public policy outreach. Our Government and Regulatory Affairs Department manages all matters relating to regulatory and tax issues of relevance to the AIMA membership base. The growth of our specialist industry and the substantial increase in impactful policy issues means that the department’s role has become a crucial one. The GRA Department consists of three teams: Asset Management Regulation, Markets Regulation and Tax Affairs. The Department is headed by the Deputy CEO, Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs.
Role of Head of APAC Regulatory Affairs
AIMA has built an exceptionally high reputation for representing the interests of the hedge fund industry globally. The level of its output is matched only by its attention to detail and professionalism and a desire to reflect the unique characteristics of its membership. The role of the Head of APAC Regulatory Affairs presents an excellent opportunity to gain a wide and unique exposure to the regulatory issues facing the hedge fund industry and assist the organization in increasing its presence in the Chinese market.
The position requires substantial experience and an individual who operates with a high level of autonomy and initiative. His or her area of responsibility will cover the broad range of policy and regulatory initiatives and developments in the APAC region which affect the members of AIMA and the markets in which they operate. The person will need to demonstrate familiarity with, and knowledge of, different regulatory regimes in the APAC region, to track developments efficiently in a wide range of jurisdictions and to set out AIMA’s position on relevant topics publicly and in private meetings. There is significant scope for the individual to grow and develop the role.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day management of APAC Regulatory Affairs in close cooperation with the three GRA teams and AIMA’s National Groups in the region (AU, HK, JP, SG). The Head of APAC Regulatory Affairs will report directly to the Deputy CEO, Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs.
Key areas of activities will include (but are not limited to)
- Asset management authorisation/registration and reporting regimes;
- Trading and market structure and infrastructure regulations;
- Measures on OTC derivatives trading, clearing and reporting;
- Short selling regulatory interventions;
- Recovery and resolution regulations for banks and non-bank financial institutions;
- Market abuse regulations;
- Investor regulations affecting the hedge fund industry (e.g. pensions and insurance regulations);
- Tax affairs affecting the hedge fund industry;
- AIMA’s presence and growth strategy in the mainland China market.
The successful candidate will work on the various projects, usually with the assistance of Working Groups and Standing Committees made up of AIMA members and would be expected to assume personal responsibility for certain specific work-streams. As part of AIMA’s advocacy role, the candidate will be responsible for presenting and actively promoting the AIMA position in order to contribute constructively to the policy and regulatory discussions with the relevant authorities. The candidate will also be expected to work with the membership and the official sector to identify existing regulatory gaps and obstacles to the development of the Chinese hedge fund sector and investments in hedge funds as well as engaging in the facilitation of non-Chinese members’ access to the Chinese market.
As well as having a solid knowledge of and experience in global financial services regulation and law, the successful candidate will be able to display a thorough knowledge of at least one key hedge fund manager jurisdiction in the APAC Region. A legal, compliance, regulatory or other relevant industry or trade body background and/or experience within a governmental or similar agency is likely to be essential.
The role’s responsibilities include:
- reporting to and generally assisting the Deputy CEO, Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs in his day-to-day role;
- assisting/collaborating with teams within the GRA department on horizontal/cross-sectional or global issues which impact the APAC region;
- organising and running specialist working groups to handle specific projects and initiatives of interest to the membership, including responses to regulatory consultations, guidance notes and updates for members or briefing notes for colleagues;
- preparation of and assistance with responses to regulatory consultations with the focus on the APAC region or on specific issues on behalf of corporate members – both via Standing Committees, Working Groups, and individually;
- summarising consultation papers and reports for members;
- engaging in advocacy work on key areas of importance in front of policy makers, governmental agencies and regulatory authorities, including arranging seminars or workshops where required;
- summarising the regulatory position on specific topics, across multiple jurisdictions for AIMA colleagues and members;
- responding promptly to members’ queries and requests on market regulatory issues;
- keeping members up to date with the association’s publications and the global regulatory and industry environment in which it operates;
- attending, and speaking at, industry events on regulatory issues and networking with members and industry participants;
- liaising with members acting locally in different jurisdictions; and
Required skills and experience for this position include:
- proven legal or similar experience gained at a law firm, asset management company, hedge fund prime-brokerage or other appropriate experience in the financial services sector (minimum 8 years);
- experience in government or regulatory agencies a great plus;
- a good knowledge of financial services law and regulation in at least one of the important APAC jurisdictions;
- good research skills;
- the ability to communicate effectively internally with AIMA executive colleagues and members as well as externally with government officials, policy makers, regulatory and supervisory personnel;
- the ability to absorb and organise substantial amounts of both general and detailed information and to disseminate and ‘distil’ it in a manner readily accessible to AIMA members and in good English;
- fluency in Mandarin (oral and written) an advantage;
- attention to detail, diligence, accuracy and thoroughness in the written and spoken word
This is an excellent opportunity for you to take the next step in your career and join this growing international trade body with an excellent reputation globally. We are committed to helping you to achieve your professional goals.
This role can be based in either Singapore or Hong Kong
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