The Investment Company Institute (ICI) is the leading association representing regulated investment funds, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), closed-end funds, and unit investment trusts (UITs) in the United States, and UCITS and similar funds offered to investors in Europe, Asia, and other jurisdictions. ICI also represents its members on issues involving the capital markets, separately managed accounts (SMAs) and collective investment trusts (CITs). ICI’s mission is to strengthen the foundation of the asset management industry for the ultimate benefit of the long-term individual investor.
The Managing Director of International Policy & Regulation at ICI plays a pivotal role in executing the organization's vision across international markets, focusing on the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) capital markets. This role involves leading advocacy initiatives, engaging with policymakers and regulators, fostering thought leadership, and managing staff. The Managing Director will collaborate closely with the Managing Directors overseeing the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and Asia-Pacific (APAC) regions to drive global policy initiatives that benefit ICI's membership. Reporting directly to ICI’s Chief Global Affairs Officer (CGAO), the Managing Director is expected to have a strong track record of effectively translating strategies into impactful outcomes.
Essential functions of this role include:
Advocacy and Policy Engagement:
- Advocate for ICI’s policy positions in engagements with global regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders fostering strong relationships and constructive dialogue.
- Analyze and monitor global policy and regulatory developments, assessing their implications for ICI members and helping to shape the strategic responses.
- Lead and coordinate relevant ICI committees and working groups, driving industry consensus as needed.
- Craft compelling policy materials, including position papers, comment letters, blogs, op-eds, and other thought leadership content to influence policy and regulatory outcomes on behalf of ICI membership and for the benefit of long-term investors.
Strategic Execution & Global Engagement:
- Under the direction of the CGAO, translate ICI’s global vision into actionable strategies with a particular focus on the European financial markets.
- Serve as an advisor to the CGAO helping to shape ICI’s international strategy in collaboration with the global leadership team.
- Implement high-impact initiatives that align with ICI’s mission and strengthen its international influence.
Collaboration and Integration:
- Partner with the Managing Director of the Brussels office and staff to ensure cohesive and effective advocacy efforts in Europe.
- Coordinate on global policy issues spanning EMEA and APAC regions to ensure a unified position across all of ICI’s international work.
- Foster cross-functional collaboration with key ICI teams, including Research, Legal, Strategic Communications, and Government Affairs departments, ensuring seamless policy integration and alignment across the organization.
Management & Leadership:
- Oversee and lead a team of legal personnel across ICI’s Washington, DC and Brussels offices fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
- Inspire excellence by promoting teamwork, dedication, and a strong work ethic, leading by example.
- Support professional growth through mentorship, constructive feedback, and an open communication culture, ensuring the delivery of exceptional work.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Cultivate and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, including member firms, government officials, regulatory bodies and standard-setting organizations, industry associations, and other relevant stakeholders in the EU and UK.
- Represent ICI in industry forums, conferences, and working groups, shaping discussions and influencing policy decisions.
Thought Leadership:
- Drive thought leadership by identifying emerging trends and developments, assessing their implications, developing concrete strategies actions to address them. Contribute to research, white papers, and policy reports on key industry issues.
- Engage in public speaking, panel discussions, and media interviews to provide expert insights.
- Elevate ICI’s global presence as a leading voice of the global asset management industry.
If you have the following credentials, we encourage you to apply:
- A graduate degree in a relevant field (economics, finance, law, or related disciplines) with a preference for a law degree.
- At least 15 years of relevant professional experience, with a proven track record in financial policy, regulatory affairs, or related fields. Experience working with international organizations, government agencies, or industry associations is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to translate strategic vision into action, drive meaningful change, and foster a dynamic, results-driven culture rooted in integrity, collaboration, and innovation. Strong interpersonal skills to build trust-based relationships, negotiate, and align interests across regulators, policymakers, industry leaders, and internal teams.
- Ability to analyze intricate regulatory issues and propose effective solutions. Ability to make data-driven assessments based on thorough analysis.
- A proactive and decisive approach to achieving goals, with a focus on delivering measurable outcomes, driving operational excellence, and fostering continuous improvement.
- Capacity to navigate evolving regulatory landscapes, anticipate challenges, and drive creative, strategic solutions to resolve complex issues.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to articulate complex policy positions persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Fluency in English (both written and spoken) is essential; proficiency in additional European languages is an advantage.
ICI offers a competitive compensation and benefits package to include a comprehensive medical plan, generous 401(k) retirement savings plan, paid leave, commuting subsidies, and tuition reimbursement as well as training and development opportunities. Based in Washington, DC, ICI is conveniently located next to McPherson Square Metro station. This is a hybrid position with three days in the office and two working from home. Compensation is based on several factors, including but not limited to, qualifications for the position, experience, education, and internal peer compensation comparisons. Base pay is one component of ICI’s total compensation, which also includes healthcare benefits, generous 401(k) plan, transit subsidy, and paid leave.