Senior Counsel

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ABOUT THE ROLE

Van Eck Associates Corporation is seeking a Senior Counsel to join its in-house legal team in New York. The role requires restructuring and distressed-investment expertise and will also support the firm’s private investment activities, including deal execution, private fund and vehicle structuring, and related commercial matters.

We are looking for someone resourceful and commercially minded who can take ownership of complex matters and grow into adjacent areas as the business develops. Other matters will be assigned from time to time as business needs require.

WHAT THIS ROLE IS

• An opportunity to support our ongoing efforts in restructuring and distressed-investment matters
• A transactional seat covering private company investments and corporate transactions, owning matters from term sheet to close
• A chance to assist with the expansion of our firm’s private fund and vehicle work, including SPVs, partnerships, and related documentation
• A high-ownership role for someone who is comfortable with ambiguity, picks up new areas fast, and runs matters on his or her own

WHAT THIS ROLE IS NOT

• Not a litigation or regulatory-specialist seat; the center of gravity is transactional execution backed by restructuring depth
• Not a role that defers all complex work to outside counsel; you own the documentation and direct the firms, not just review their output
• Not a role for someone who needs close supervision; it calls for self-direction and commercial judgment

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Restructuring & Distressed Matters

• Lead legal execution on restructuring, distressed-investment, and workout matters, including negotiating and documenting restructurings, recapitalizations, and related arrangements
• Apply specialized restructuring judgment across the private investment portfolio as situations arise, coordinating with deal teams and outside counsel

Transactional Execution

• Lead deal work on private company investments and corporate transactions, from term sheet through closing
• Draft and negotiate the full set of transaction documents, including purchase agreements, subscription documents, and side letters
• Coordinate with investment, finance, compliance, and tax teams to close on schedule
• Spot legal and commercial risk, flag it early, and offer practical solutions that keep deals moving

Fund & Vehicle Structuring

• Support the formation and structuring of investment vehicles, including SPVs, private funds, partnership agreements (GP and LP), side letters, and related documentation

Outside Counsel & Broader Matters

• Manage and oversee outside counsel on transactional, fund, restructuring, and cross-border matters, ensuring efficient execution and cost-effective delivery
• Support related legal matters arising from private investments, fund structuring, cross-border transactions, and other strategic initiatives, including occasional restructuring and distressed-investment work
• Manage multiple active matters simultaneously with limited supervision; handle other matters as assigned
• Some interest in or exposure to tokenization and digital assets is a plus, given the overlap with related work across the firm

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• JD from an accredited law school and admission to the New York bar (or eligibility for in-house registration in New York)
• Restructuring, distressed-situation, or bankruptcy-related expertise. This is the priority qualification for the role.
• Seven or more years of transactional experience, with substantial focus on private company investments; candidates from law firms, hedge funds, and private equity firms will be considered
• Experience structuring private funds, investment vehicles, or partnership arrangements (SPVs, GP/LP agreements) strongly preferred
• Experience at a smaller firm or investment platform, handling a broad range of matters across the business, is a meaningful plus
• Familiarity with the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently, learn new subject matters quickly, and manage complex projects across multiple stakeholders
• Highly ambitious, resourceful, and commercially minded, with a track record of taking ownership and thriving in fast-paced, evolving environments
• Strong drafting skills and a practical, commercial approach
• Ability to work in the office a minimum for three days per week

WHY THIS ROLE

This is a chance to own the legal execution behind VanEck’s private investment activity and to build the firm’s private fund capability from the ground up. The role offers direct exposure to deal principals and senior leadership, broad scope across transactions, fund structuring, and cross-border matters, and a clear path to expand responsibilities for an ambitious candidate willing to grow with the business.

COMPENSATION
If this position will be performed in whole or in part in New York City, the base salary range is $225,000 – $250,000. Individual salaries may vary based on different factors including but not limited to, skills, experience, job-related knowledge, and location. Base salary does not include other forms of compensation or benefits offered in connection with this position.

VanEck is committed to treating all applicants and employees fairly and to providing equal opportunity in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws. VanEck does not and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, color, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, covered-veteran or military status, genetic information, and/or any other factor protected by law.