Senior Counsel, Contracts

Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment, and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

The Senior Counsel Contracts role offers an opportunity for an experienced attorney with a strong business orientation to apply legal expertise in drafting, review, and negotiation of contracts. The individual in this role will provide legal advice and draw upon proficiency in evaluating legal risk and risk mitigation strategies to advance business initiatives. The ideal candidate will have extensive contracts experience and an analytical mindset, excellent written and interpersonal skills, an ability to recognize and weigh risks, and a capacity to communicate adeptly with stakeholders while helping drive efficiencies and innovation in the contracting process.

What you will do:

• Review, draft, and negotiate client contracts and related documents for retirement plan recordkeeping, trust, advisory, and other services; provide counsel in support of Empower's retirement plan services business, including corporate, government, non-profit, union, multi-employer, and institutional plans; advise on the creation of RFPs and other related documents in close collaboration with a team of contract specialists and other members of the Legal Department.
• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts with vendors including services agreements, sourcing agreements, statements of work, non-disclosure agreements, software licensing agreements, SaaS agreements, amendments, and other contractual documents with third party providers.

• Lead complex commercial transactions and provide strategic legal advice, working proactively with business leadership and anticipating issues that may arise in order to reach successful outcomes.
• Exhibit in-depth knowledge of agreement terms and conditions and nuances in contract language, applying sophisticated legal analysis and judgment to identify and understand legal aspects of a business issue including an accurate assessment of contractual risk.
• Interact effectively with all levels of management, alliance partners, internal associates, clients, vendors, and external counsel, clearly communicating legal and commercial issues.
• Provide guidance on contract terms, business positions, and the contracting process.
• Build relationships with business stakeholders and serve as a key point of contact for contract inquiries and issues.
• Analyze complex issues and develop legal strategies so that business goals are attained legally and in a manner compliant with regulatory requirements.
• Provide legal insights and support to internal teams on contract matters, including structuring, contract interpretation, compliance and enforcement, risk assessment, and legal and regulatory compliance.
• Execute additional projects and duties as assigned to support business initiatives, including assisting with transactional due diligence and facilitating the closure of potential deals such as acquisitions, mergers, reorganizations, or other corporate transactions.

What you will bring:

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Licensed and admitted to practice in good standing with state bar
• 7+ years of relevant legal experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating complex agreements with large, sophisticated clients
• In-depth knowledge of contract law fundamentals and ability to skillfully work on a wide range of agreements
• Exceptional ability to interface with a variety of individuals, including other departmental associates, procurement professionals, sales/relationship managers, external clients, vendors, and business and legal counterparts
• Dedication to customer service, a team player, and a willingness to take on new tasks as needed

What will set you apart:

• Financial services and retirement services industry knowledge strongly desired
• Commitment to delivering optimal solutions in a timely manner, balancing customer needs with the best interests of the company
• Initiative to generate, suggest, and advocate ideas that help reduce risk and improve the quality of customer services
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with an ability to prioritize amongst different projects and deadlines
• Discretion, sensitivity and integrity in handling confidential information
• Proficient in MS Word, Outlook, and Excel
• General understanding of privacy laws and data protection constructs
• Some familiarity with mutual fund participation/partnership agreements, service/distribution agreements, broker/dealer selling agreements, and associated regulatory frameworks and laws desirable

***Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time, including CPT/OPT.***

What we offer you

We offer an array of diverse and inclusive benefits regardless of where you are in your career. We believe that providing our employees with the means to lead healthy balanced lives results in the best possible work performance.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Retirement savings - 401(k) plan with generous company matching contributions (up to 6%), financial advisory services, potential company discretionary contribution, and a broad investment lineup
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year
• Business-casual environment that includes the option to wear jeans
• Generous paid time off upon hire - including a paid time off program plus ten paid company holidays and three floating holidays each calendar year
• Paid volunteer time - 16 hours per calendar year
• Leave of absence programs - including paid parental leave, paid short- and long-term disability, and Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Business Resource Groups (BRGs) - internal networks that rally around common interest, experiences and identities such as race, ethnicity, gender, ability, military status and sexual orientation. BRGs play a vital role in educating and engaging our people and advancing our business priorities.

Base Salary Range

The salary range above shows the typical minimum to maximum base salary range for this position in the location listed. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation offered may vary from posted hiring range based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.

Equal opportunity employer * Drug-free workplace

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age (40 and over), race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, religion, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.

***For remote and hybrid positions you will be required to provide reliable high-speed internet with a wired connection as well as a place in your home to work with limited disruption. You must have reliable connectivity from an internet service provider that is fiber, cable or DSL internet. Other necessary computer equipment, will be provided. You may be required to work in the office if you do not have an adequate home work environment and the required internet connection.***

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