NYS Teachers Retirement System

Associate General Counsel (#1838)

Salary: $86,018 - $129,026

The New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS) is the second-largest public retirement system in the state and one of the 10 largest public systems in the nation. The System administers a defined benefit plan that provides retirement, disability and death benefits to eligible New York State public school teachers and administrators. Our active and retired membership exceeds 426,000 and annual pension payments are in excess of $6.0 billion. NYSTRS is not part of the Executive Branch of the State and, therefore, does not come under the State Budget. However, the majority of our positions are classified by the New York State Civil Service Department, thereby requiring appointments to be made in accordance with the Civil Service Law and providing NYSTRS employees the ability to transfer to State Agencies and to take State promotional exams.

Summary of Duties

The job duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Work directly with the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, NYSTRS Legal, Investment, Procurement, and Risk Management staff on a wide variety of investment, contract, and legal and regulatory matters. Provide legal counsel regarding complex investment, real estate, and private equity transactions, risk and compliance, as well as procurement and contract matters.  Manage legal due diligence for alternative investments, including reviewing of offering documents and Limited Partnership Agreements (LPAs), Investment Management Agreements (IMAs), completing subscription documents, negotiating side letters, MFN elections, and fee template disclosures.  Negotiate and draft procurement contracts, amendments and renewals, including identifying business, legal and risk issues.  Manage confidentiality matters, including review of nondisclosure agreements and Freedom Information Act (FOIA) requests and responses.  Counsel on real estate matters, including negotiating and drafting Subordination Non- Disturbance and Attornment Agreements (SNDA), mortgage documents, leases, property management matters, insurance, tax and NDAs.  Oversee global custody arrangements to ensure securities and tax compliance in foreign jurisdictions. Negotiate and review Investment Management Agreements and amendments, trading agreements for various domestic and international public equity, real estate and fixed income separate accounts.  Legal review and management of various regulatory matters relating to OFAC, AML, KYC, FATCA, FINRA, CFTC, as well as NYSTRS investment policy matters including Placement Agent and Risk and Compliance issues. NYS Teachers’ Retirement System Page 2

 Legal review of alternative fund governance matters (i.e., LPA consents and amendments for real estate and private equity funds).  Securities litigation monitoring, including a review of System securities losses, evaluating class action claims, recommendations regarding NYSTRS participation level, evaluation of amicus brief opportunities, directing outside counsel in case management, and preparing monitoring reports for System leadership.  Periodic training to assist non-legal staff in spotting potential business, legal, compliance or risk issues.  Provide input on Legislative recommendations to ensure transactional efficiency and risk reduction.  Compliance liaison for various transactional and regulatory matters (e.g., interpretations for compliance with Investment Policy Manual, including monitoring placement agent and OFAC policy compliance).  Conduct legal research, analyze legal issues and preparation of legal memoranda as may be directed by the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel.  Carry out other legal duties as assigned by the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel.

Minimum Qualifications

5 + years of legal experience that includes at least 2 years of transactional experience in one or more of the following areas:  investments/asset management  corporate/securities  private equity  capital markets  finance/commercial lending

Preferred Skills/Expertise

 Excellent contracting skills and attention to detail  Excellent organizational and time management skills  Self-starter and strong desire to learn  Commercial transactional real estate, private equity, investments, and securities law experience preferred  Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills and ability to take direction, as well as, function and excel independently and in a team and collaborative environment  Contract and procurement experience  Experience with compliance matters

Our Vision

To be the model for pension fund excellence and exceptional customer service. NYS Teachers’ Retirement System Page 3

How to Apply

You will find a link to the employment application on the NYSTRS website (NYSTRS.org > About Us > Employment Opportunities). Please note that resumes will not be accepted as a substitute, in whole or part, for a completed application. This position does not come under the jurisdiction of the Department of Civil Service. It comes under the Manager/Executive Plan. Appointees to Manager/Executive Plan positions must serve a one-year review period. Inquiries regarding vacancy postings, minimum qualifications, or application procedures may be made by email to [email protected]. You can reach us by phone at (518) 447-2906.

Our Commitment to Diversity

NYSTRS is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is valued and recognized as a source of strength and enrichment. We seek to attract talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures.

NYSTRS is an equal opportunity employer.