Manager, Counsel - Vendor & Commercial Contracts - Remote

📋 Description

• • Lead and manage a team of attorneys responsible for drafting, negotiating, and managing all vendor and commercial contracts for approximately 3000 financial institution clients, ensuring alignment with company strategy and risk tolerance.
• • Develop and maintain robust vendor and commercial contracting processes, establishing clear internal service levels to meet the evolving needs of the organization and its diverse client base.
• • Provide strong leadership and direction to the legal team, overseeing work product, offering guidance on complex agreements, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
• • Act as a primary escalation point for intricate agreements, template documents, and other critical contractual matters that significantly impact the company’s relationships with its clients and vendors.
• • Serve as a trusted advisor and resource to internal business stakeholders and external clients, offering expert counsel on contractual terms, negotiation strategies, and the development of agreements, statements of work, and terms and conditions.
• • Collaborate closely with Corporate Counsel to establish and refine company-wide standards for contracts, incorporating strategic discussions, senior management input, and organizational expectations while rigorously ensuring adherence to acceptable organizational risk limits.
• • Implement and enforce appropriate internal governance and approval processes throughout the sales and contracting lifecycle, ensuring compliance and mitigating potential risks.
• • Drive the negotiation and execution of new vendor contracts and the renewal of existing agreements, ensuring consistency with established contractual frameworks and contributing to the creation of updated standards for new and evolving contract types.
• • Clearly communicate and educate stakeholders across the enterprise on the implications and impact of contract terms and requirements, fostering a shared understanding of contractual obligations and opportunities.
• • Ensure the utmost accuracy and appropriateness of all contract text, including all associated attachments and exhibits, maintaining meticulous attention to detail.
• • Proactively manage and meticulously track contract terms, conditions, and Service Level Agreements (SLAs), ensuring seamless alignment between client and vendor contracts, and subsequently formulating recommendations for ongoing process enhancement and optimization.
• • Consistently meet deadlines for all contractual deliverables, maintaining open and ongoing communication with all relevant parties regarding contractual issues, progress, and potential challenges.
• • Take ownership of identifying and reporting contractual and information security risks to the appropriate teams and management, actively managing, monitoring, and reporting on risks within the scope of your purview.
• • Identify and address process and skill gaps within the legal team, strategically assigning individuals to opportunities that foster skill development and knowledge expansion.
• • Champion the identification of process improvements and lead the implementation of necessary changes to achieve greater efficiencies and operational excellence within the contracting function.
• • Contribute to the strategic development of new products and services by providing expert legal and contractual advice, ensuring that contractual frameworks support business objectives and mitigate potential risks.
• • Maintain a deep understanding of the financial services industry, particularly within the credit union and payments space, to effectively advise on industry-specific contractual considerations.
• • Leverage data, reporting, and analytical capabilities to drive continuous process improvement, measure team performance, and ensure accountable results in contract management.
• • Foster strong collaborative relationships with internal and external legal advisors, sales personnel, and other key internal stakeholders to ensure a cohesive and effective approach to contract management.
• • Ensure that all contractual documentation is compliant with relevant laws, regulations, and company policies, staying abreast of changes in legal and regulatory landscapes that may impact contractual agreements.
• • Develop and mentor junior attorneys, providing them with the necessary tools, training, and support to excel in their roles and contribute to the team's overall success.
• • Oversee the management of contract lifecycle, from initial drafting and negotiation through execution, amendment, and termination, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.
• • Contribute to the development and refinement of contract templates and playbooks to streamline negotiations and ensure consistency across agreements.
• • Analyze contract performance and identify opportunities for renegotiation or optimization to maximize value and minimize risk for the organization.
• • Ensure that all contractual obligations are clearly understood and communicated to relevant internal departments, such as finance, operations, and product development.
• • Play a key role in due diligence processes for potential partnerships or acquisitions, providing expert review of contractual arrangements.
• • Stay informed about market trends and best practices in vendor and commercial contracting to ensure the company remains competitive and compliant.
• • Manage external counsel relationships when necessary, ensuring cost-effectiveness and high-quality legal support.
• • Develop and deliver training sessions to business teams on contract-related matters, empowering them to understand and manage contractual risks effectively.
• • Contribute to the overall legal strategy of the organization, providing insights and recommendations on contractual matters that support business growth and strategic objectives.