Vice President, Legal

About the role

Churchill, an investment-specialist affiliate of Nuveen (the asset manager of TIAA), provides customized financing solutions to middle market private equity firms and their portfolio companies across the capital structure. With over $66 billion of committed capital, we provide first lien, unitranche, second lien and mezzanine debt, in addition to equity co-investments, secondary solutions and private equity fund commitments.

Churchill has a long history of disciplined investing across multiple economic cycles and our unique origination strategy, best in class execution and investments are driven by ~230 professionals in New York, Charlotte, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Palm Beach.

Together with our sister company Arcmont Asset Management, we comprise Nuveen Private Capital, a $100 billion private capital platform and one of the largest private debt managers globally.

Position Overview

Churchill Asset Management is seeking an experienced mergers and acquisitions attorney to represent Churchill and its affiliated entities and managed accounts as investors in connection with the structuring and closing of direct equity co-investments and private equity secondaries transactions.

The candidate will generally oversee external counsel in connection with transactional activity, but will also independently represent Churchill in portfolio management and other transactional matters from time to time. Churchill's accounts include affiliated and unaffiliated institutional separate account clients, as well as private funds, registered funds and business development companies.

Transactions include both non-control direct equity co-investments and GP-led private equity secondaries transactions. The candidate will also have an opportunity to work on LP-led private equity secondaries transactions and junior capital debt financing transactions from time to time in connection with the portfolio. The position reports into Churchill's Deputy General Counsel, who oversees the transactional legal group.

Responsibilities

• Directly lead and/or liaise with and oversee external counsel in the structuring, documentation and closing of direct equity co-investments and private equity secondaries transactions in the sponsor-backed middle market, with a particular focus on direct equity co-investments and GP-led secondaries transactions
• Collaborate with other members of the Churchill's transactional legal group regarding developments in the private capital markets, coverage of overflow transactions, including LP-led private equity secondaries transactions and junior capital debt financing transactions
• Provide advice and counsel regarding regulatory issues arising out of investing and portfolio management activity in the direct equity co-investment and private equity secondaries asset classes generally

Qualifications

• JD Degree, with a minimum 4 years of experience working in a law firm or asset manager working with direct equity co-investors or secondary equity purchasers in the sponsor-backed market, particularly the core middle market
• Assertiveness - the ideal candidate will have the ability to integrate quickly into a dynamic team environment, collaborate closely with business partners from the front office, operations, fund administration and tax groups, while also being able to work independently when necessary to ensure transaction timeline expectations are met
• Experience acting as transactional counsel to BDCs and other regulated entities is a plus

Pay and benefits

Base Salary: $200,000 - $260,000

Related Skills

Accountability, Adaptability, Communication, Digital Savviness, Influence, Legal Collaboration / Consensus Building, Legal Counsel Expertise / Advisory, Legal Negotiation / Contract Management, Legal Risk Management, Legal Writing, Problem Solving, Relationship Management

Anticipated Posting End Date: 2026-11-20

Base Pay Range

$141,000/yr - $247,000/yr

Actual base salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, base salary of internal peers, prior performance, business sector, and geographic location. In addition to base salary, the competitive compensation package may include, depending on the role, participation in an incentive program linked to performance (for example, annual discretionary incentive programs, non-annual sales incentive plans, or other non-annual incentive plans).

Benefits and Total Rewards

The organization is committed to making financial well-being possible for its clients, and is equally committed to the well-being of our associates. That's why we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package designed to make a positive difference in the lives of our associates and their loved ones. Our benefits include a superior retirement program and highly competitive health, wellness and work life offerings that can help you achieve and maintain your best possible physical, emotional and financial well-being. To learn more about your benefits, please review our Benefits Summary.