Head of Corporate/Company Secretary

Our Client 

Our client is a global investment manager formed through a recent high profile merger. With offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Miami and London, the firm offers clients a comprehensive suite of investment strategies spanning Australian equities, international equities, activist equities, global hedge funds and U.K. residential property.

The firm manages over ~$17b on behalf of large superannuation funds, pension funds, asset consultants, private wealth firms, family offices, high-net-worth and retail investors. 

Role Summary

Senior in‑house counsel to an ASX-listed investment manager, leading and managing complex capital markets and M&A transactions, and providing strategic legal and regulatory advice to support the growth, capital management and investment activities of the company and its group entities in Australia and offshore.​ The successful candidate will also own the group’s company secretarial and corporate governance functions.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage public and private M&A transactions (share and business acquisitions/disposals, takeovers, schemes, joint ventures), including structuring, due diligence, documentation, negotiation and execution.​
• Advise on equity and debt capital markets transactions, including IPOs, secondary raisings, placements, rights issues, DRPs, buy‑backs, hybrids and other structured instruments undertaken by the group.​
• Provide strategic advice on ASX Listing Rules, Corporations Act, takeovers regulation, insider trading, continuous disclosure, corporate governance and directors’ duties.​
• Support capital management initiatives, balance sheet restructurings and group reorganisations, including advice on solvency, distributions, related‑party dealings and securityholder approvals.​
• Act as named Company Secretary of the listed entity (and relevant subsidiaries), ensuring compliance with ASX Listing Rules, Corporations Act and the company’s constitution and board charters.
• With support, coordinate and manage all board, committee and shareholder meetings, including agendas, board papers, minutes, action tracking and resolution management.
• Oversee continuous and periodic disclosure processes and announcements, working closely with the various boards, CEO and CFO on market releases, investor materials and governance disclosures.
• Maintain all statutory registers and corporate records, manage ASIC and ASX filings, and oversee entity establishment, restructuring, deregistration and related corporate actions.
• Advise the board, committees and senior management on governance best practice, director duties, conflicts, related‑party dealings and board policies, and support board evaluations and director inductions.

Serve as key liaison for directors and external stakeholders (including regulators, registry, auditors and external counsel) on corporate governance and company secretarial matters.

Experience and qualifications

• At least 10 years PQE in corporate / M&A and capital markets, ideally gained at a top‑tier or leading national firm, potentially with some in‑house experience in financial services, funds management, private equity or a listed environment. Significant exposure to listed-company governance and board processes with prior experience as a company secretary or deputy company secretary is desirable.
• Current Australian practising certificate (or eligibility to obtain one) and strong academic record in law.​
• Demonstrated track record leading complex public and private M&A, equity capital markets and related corporate transactions with minimal supervision.​
• Solid working knowledge of the Corporations Act, ASIC policy, ASX Listing Rules and takeovers regulation, and their application to listed funds and investment vehicles.​
• Experience in, or strong exposure to, funds management, alternative/hedge fund structures and financial services regulation (including licensing and disclosure) is desirable.​

Skills and capabilities

• Strong technical corporate, securities and funds law skills, with excellent drafting and negotiation abilities for complex transaction and capital markets documentation.​
• Highly developed commercial judgment and the ability to provide pragmatic, outcome‑focused advice that balances legal, regulatory and commercial considerations.​
• Proven stakeholder management skills, with the confidence and communication style to work directly with senior executives and board members.​
• Ability to manage multiple, time‑critical transactions and regulatory issues concurrently in a fast‑paced environment, with strong organisational and matter‑management skills.​
• Strong understanding of ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations and their practical application to a listed funds/hedge fund environment.
• Exceptional written skills for board papers, minutes and market disclosures, and high attention to detail in managing statutory and governance records.
• Leadership qualities, including willingness to mentor junior lawyers, build internal capability and contribute to the broader risk, compliance and governance culture of the organisation.​

Reporting line and location

• Reports to: Chairman of the Board of Directors and works closely with the General Counsel, CEO and CFO.​ (TBC)
• Location: Melbourne, with responsibility for transactions and matters across the group’s domestic and international activities. 

Benefits

• Work directly with senior executives and decision-makers in a respected investment management firm.
• Exposure to diverse, high-quality legal work across corporate, commercial, and operational areas.
• Excellent office facilities and amenities
• Collaborative, high-performance environment with genuine work-life balance.
• Attractive remuneration and professional growth opportunities.

This is a permanent full-time position from Monday to Friday and will be in the firm’s Melbourne CBD office, between the hours of 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM. Some WFH flexibility. This role is being handled exclusively by Burgess Paluch Legal Recruitment. Any direct or third party applications will be forwarded to them for review. 

Please contact Doron Paluch on 0438 004 445 or email [email protected] for a confidential chat.