Vice President & Chief Counsel, Retail Advisory

About Our Company

We’re a diversified financial services leader with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management, administration and advisement as of year-end 2024. Our team of 22,000 people across 19 countries, serves more than 3.5 million individual, small business and institutional clients. We are a longstanding leader in financial planning and advice, a global asset manager and an insurer. Our unwavering focus on our clients and strong financial foundation connects each of our unique businesses – Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance and Annuities. Here, we foster meaningful careers, invest in the future, and make a difference for clients, institutions and communities around the world.

Job Description

As Vice President & Chief Counsel, Retail Advisory, you will serve as the senior legal advisor and strategic partner to executive leadership for our Retail Advisory business. You will shape legal strategies across managed accounts, financial planning, investment research and portfolio management while helping the business pursue growth, innovation and effective risk management. In this officer-level role, you will influence significant business initiatives and acquisitions, strengthen governance and compliance, and lead a team of solutions-oriented legal professionals. This is an opportunity to bring deep investment advisory expertise and sound judgment to decisions that advance the business and serve clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead legal support for the Retail Advisory business, including managed accounts, financial planning, investment research and portfolio management.
• Serve as a strategic legal advisor to executive leadership on business priorities, significant initiatives and acquisitions involving retail advisory solutions.
• Develop and execute legal strategies that enable responsible growth, innovation and effective risk management.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to strengthen governance, promote sound risk management and reinforce a strong culture of compliance.
• Interpret emerging legal, regulatory and industry developments and provide clear, practical guidance on their business implications.
• Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing team of attorneys and legal professionals who operate as solutions-oriented business partners.

Qualifications

• 10 or more years of legal experience supporting investment advisory, wealth management or other financial services businesses; 15 or more years of relevant legal experience is preferred.
• Deep expertise in the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and state and other regulatory requirements applicable to retail advisory offerings.
• Significant experience advising executive leadership on strategic business decisions and successfully leading attorneys and legal professionals.
• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law in Minnesota, Massachusetts or North Carolina, or eligibility for admission as in-house counsel.
• Expertise in Regulation Best Interest and Employee Retirement Income Security Act regulations applicable to retail offerings is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large, cross-functional initiatives and build high-performing legal teams.
• Strong business acumen, executive presence, communication, relationship management, collaboration and influencing skills.

In‑Office Collaboration

We are a client‑centric, relationship‑based business. Working together, in‑person, is foundational to how we achieve results. By fostering a culture of face‑to‑face collaboration, idea sharing, productivity and personal connection, we deliver for our stakeholders — clients, advisors, employees and shareholders.

Our employees work in the office at least four (4) days per week, with flexibility to work from home one (1) day per week. Some roles may require additional in‑office time or different in‑office expectations, and specific requirements will be discussed during the hiring process.

U.S. Work Authorization & Sponsorship

Applicants must have a valid work authorization that does not now, or in the future, require visa sponsorship for employment in the United States (e.g., H‑1B, F‑1 CPT, F‑1 OPT, TN).

Our Commitment

We are an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, military status, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, disability status, marital status, family status or any other basis prohibited by law. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, speak to your recruiter to discuss how we can support you.

Base Pay Salary

The estimated base salary for this role is $250,000 - $300,000/ year. We have a pay‑forperformance compensation philosophy. Your initial total compensation may vary based on job‑related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographical work location.

In addition, most of our roles are eligible for variable pay in the form of bonus, commissions, and/or long‑term incentives depending on the role. We also have a competitive and comprehensive benefits program that supports all aspects of your health and well‑being, including but not limited to vacation time, sick time, 401(k), and health, dental and life insurances.

Full‑Time/Part‑Time

Full time Exempt/Non‑Exempt Exempt Job Family Group Legal Affairs Line of Business GCO General Counsel's Organization Ameriprise Financial is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, military status, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, disability status, marital status, family status or any other basis prohibited by law. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, speak to your recruiter to discuss how we can support you.

Since 1894, Ameriprise Financial has helped people feel more confident about their financial future.

Guided by strong values and a deep commitment to clients, we've remained a trusted leader in financial planning and advice for more than 130 years.

Through our businesses, Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance & Annuities, we deliver advice, investment and protection solutions designed for long‑term success. While each business brings distinct capabilities and expertise, all are united by our unwavering focus on clients and a strong financial foundation.

Ameriprise Financial

Financial planning, advice and wealth management.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Global asset management serving individual, institutional and corporate clients.

RiverSource Insurance & Annuities

Products and solutions designed to help clients protect and grow their wealth.

Explore opportunities within each business and region below.

Ameriprise US | Careers Ameriprise India | Careers Columbia Threadneedle Investments US | Careers Columbia Threadneedle Investments EMEA APAC | Careers RiverSource | Careers