Hybrid SVP/Head of Private Wealth Management Legal at ABGlobal

Who You'll Work With:

Working in a legal role within AllianceBernstein’s Private Wealth division offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a dynamic, high-growth business while supporting some of the most sophisticated clients in the world, including ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutions.
Complex, High-Impact Legal Work: AB’s Private Wealth business sits at the intersection of asset management, estate planning, tax strategy, and bespoke investment solutions. As a legal team member, you’ll be exposed to complex regulatory, transactional, and fiduciary matters that require both technical acumen and sound judgment. It’s a role that balances depth and breadth and offers real influence.

A Seat at the Table: Legal professionals at AB are seen as strategic partners, not just risk managers. You’ll collaborate directly with senior leaders across wealth planning, portfolio management, compliance, and operations. Your insights help shape product design, policy, and client service strategy in a meaningful way.

Regulatory and Fiduciary Excellence: In an evolving regulatory landscape, AB’s legal team plays a critical role in ensuring the firm meets and exceeds its fiduciary responsibilities. You’ll work on cutting-edge issues related to SEC, FINRA, and banking regulations, while also engaging with emerging areas like ESG, digital assets, and cross-border wealth structuring.
Mission-Driven, Client-Centric Culture: The Private Wealth group is deeply focused on long-term client relationships and multi-generational wealth preservation. The legal team is part of this mission—helping build trust, safeguard assets, and navigate complexity. It’s a place where your work directly contributes to clients’ legacies.

Room to Grow: AB invests in its people. Legal team members are encouraged to deepen their expertise, take on stretch assignments, and grow into broader leadership roles. With the firm’s continued expansion in Private Wealth and its Nashville headquarters serving as a major hub, the path forward is full of possibility.

Global Reach, Boutique Feel: You’ll work within a globally respected firm that still maintains an entrepreneurial spirit in the Private Wealth group. The legal team benefits from the scale, resources, and infrastructure of AB while operating with the agility and intimacy of a boutique. If you're a legal professional who enjoys solving complex problems, partnering with the business, and helping shape the future of private wealth, AllianceBernstein offers an exceptional platform to do just that.

What You'll Do:
• Work closely with the Associate General Counsel serving as a strategic legal advisor to the PWM executive management team, including providing advice and support in acquisitions.
• Manage all legal and regulatory aspects of PWM’s operations for its investment adviser and broker-dealer, including advice regarding new product development, onboarding third party product offerings onto PWM’s platform, custody arrangements, high-risk clients, credit and lending arrangements, supporting the Global Families platform and initiatives, oversight and assistance to PWM’s 401(k) and cash balance plan businesses.
• Managing a team of PWM attorneys and staff and provide advice and support to operations personnel responsible for account opening and operations.
• Work closely with the Chief Compliance Officer and AllianceBernstein’s central compliance team to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations (SEC, FINRA, state regulators, etc.).
• Advise PWM’s Global Families management in onboarding complex non-US family office structures.
• Oversight of the drafting and negotiation of key client vendor agreements and other material agreements.
• Manage external counsel relationships and legal budgets.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of internal policies, procedures, and corporate governance frameworks.
• Monitor regulatory developments and industry trends and proactively assess their impact on the firm’s business.

What We're Looking For:
• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to at least one U.S. state bar.
• 15+ years of legal experience, including in-house and law firm experience with a focus on investment management, private wealth, or financial services.
• Experience in a legal leadership role within a multi-family office, private bank, or RIA, managing a team of attorneys and paralegals.
• Deep understanding of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Securities Act of 1933, and applicable FINRA rules and regulations.
• Proven ability to balance legal risk with commercial considerations.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• High integrity and sound judgment.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Familiarity with international wealth structures and cross-border legal issues.
• Prior experience working with private alternatives and complex products.
• M&A experience in RIAs and wealth management.

Who We Are:

We are a leading global investment management firm offering high-quality research and diversified investment services to institutional clients, retail investors, and private-wealth clients in major markets around the globe. With over 4,000 employees across 57 locations operating in 26 countries and jurisdictions, our ambition is simple: to be the most trusted investment firm in the world. We realize that it's our people who give us a competitive advantage and drive success in the market, and our goal is to create an inclusive culture that rewards hard work. 

Our culture of intellectual curiosity and collaboration creates an environment where you can thrive and do your best work. Whether you're producing thought-provoking research, identifying compelling investment opportunities, infusing new technologies into our business or providing thoughtful advice to our clients, we are fully invested in you. If you're ready to challenge your limits and empower your career, join us! 

Bernstein Private Wealth Management (“PWM”), the private wealth arm of AB, traces its roots in money management back over 50 years. Driven by an industry-leading and highly respected research effort, PWM provides long-term investment solutions for its clients and has built a strong performance record over its history. PWM has approximately $140 billion in assets under management, invested in global stocks, fixed income, mutual funds, alternatives and other pooled investment vehicles. PWM has approximately 240 U.S.-based Financial Advisors.

• Knowledge of and experience with the various state laws and IRS rules governing trusts and estates, powers of attorney, and tax rules related to wealth management and planning.