Assistant Vice President, Senior Associate Counsel - Procurement

Overview

An established financial services organization is seeking an experienced and strategic attorney for the role of Assistant Vice President, Senior Associate Counsel - Procurement. This position supports the organization's growth by providing expert legal counsel on a broad range of commercial contracts, with a focus on technology, data, and procurement strategies.

This role involves shaping and improving procurement processes, policies, and workflows. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in contract negotiation and review, particularly in procurement, software services, cloud technologies, and professional services. This position suits a proactive, business-minded attorney who thrives in a fast-paced environment and aims to make a significant impact.

The role can be based in St. Louis, MO (preferred), New York, NY, Boston, MA, or remote.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of technology and data-driven commercial agreements, including software, AI-enabled tools, consulting, IT, professional services, non-disclosure agreements, and other standard commercial contracts.
• Address key contractual terms related to data rights, confidentiality, intellectual property, and information security.
• Manage contracts from intake through negotiation and execution, ensuring timely and commercially sound outcomes; escalate complex or high-risk issues as needed.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and cross-functional teams such as finance, tax, technology, procurement, vendor management, cybersecurity, and legal to align contractual terms with organizational objectives and legal/regulatory requirements.
• Serve as a key legal partner throughout the vendor lifecycle, including vendor selection, onboarding, relationship management, contract changes, renewals, and offboarding.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of contract templates, clause libraries, negotiation playbooks, and internal guidance to enhance efficiency, consistency, and scalability in contracting and procurement.
• Support continuous improvement of contracting and procurement policies, procedures, and best practices aligned with strategic business initiatives.
• Stay informed on evolving laws, regulations, and industry standards affecting commercial contracting, procurement, data privacy, and technology transactions, including emerging trends related to AI and technology contracting.
• Advise internal stakeholders on relevant regulatory developments and their implications for contractual obligations and business practices to support compliance and risk mitigation.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and a Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university.
• Active attorney’s license in good standing in all jurisdictions of admission.
• Minimum of 4 years of legal experience with a strong foundation in commercial contract law.
• Prior in-house legal experience is required.
• Preference for candidates with experience in technology contracts within the financial services sector, especially in the registered investment advisor space.
• Proven expertise in contract negotiation, drafting, and review, with the ability to efficiently manage complex agreements.
• Ability to manage and prioritize a high volume of contracts across multiple projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Highly detail-oriented with a proactive, strategic approach to problem-solving and risk management.
• Strong collaboration skills to work cross-functionally with business leaders and stakeholders, providing clear and actionable legal guidance.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, capable of conveying complex legal concepts to both legal and non-legal audiences.

Compensation & Benefits

• This is an exempt position.
• Annualized base pay range: $150,000 - $170,000, with actual pay varying based on experience, expertise, location, and skill set.
• Additional compensation may include an annual cash bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401(k) plan.
• Job title may be adjusted based on the selected candidate’s experience and education.

Location

• Preferred location: St. Louis, MO
• Other options: New York, NY; Boston, MA; Remote

Note: This role is subject to applicable state-specific employment laws and regulations.