G&S has been exclusively engaged to assist a DC-based, industry leader in the financial services industry in hiring an accomplished transactional lawyer with expertise drafting, negotiating, and managing highly sophisticated commercial agreements and technology transactions. An internal promotion has created this opening, and this new VP, AGC must independently direct and guide the organization’s Commercial Transactions business function (which includes a team of 4 lawyers, paralegals and a contracts coordinator), while working in conjunction with the CEO, CLO, CIO, CFO & SVP, CCO. This organization provides an environment of continuous learning where people embrace new challenges, and due to its “mission driven” culture, it is a great place to work if you want to feel that you are doing good in the world.
 
Key Responsibilities:

Supervising and managing deal negotiations through their lifecycle;
Developing negotiation strategies and directing negotiation on issues concerning the organization’s third-party commercial and regulatory sharing relationships;
Administering the organization’s intellectual property program and providing expert advice on IP issues (with support from outside counsel);
Directing the organization’s negotiation of agreements with regulatory agencies, fellow non-governmental regulators, foreign regulators, and other players in the financial services industry;
Exercising good judgment regarding acceptable levels of legal and business risk related to complex commercial and intellectual property matters; and
Supervising, training, and mentoring members of the Commercial Transactions legal team, as well as managing their workflow, so prior team management experience in-house is essential.

 
Qualifications:

Deep knowledge (10-20 years) of software licensing, cloud/SaaS, data privacy, security and compliance issues related to technology engagements.
Highly skilled negotiator, with proven success closing complex services and technology deals from both the customer and vendor sides.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with leaders across all business units within the organization (particularly those which do not have embedded legal counsel).
Must exhibit a high level of independent judgment and creativity in solving problems (and be accountable for same), have strong decision-making and exceptional influencing skills, and be able to see the big picture and solve for obstacles.
Must have a combination of in-house and law firm training (as a transactional associate in an AmLaw top 100 firm).
A strong academic pedigree (top 25 law school).
Experience working in a non-profit or a company in a highly regulated industry sector is highly valued.

Our client has an exceptional corporate culture which values collaboration, innovation, and diversity, and, accordingly, it sees very little turnover. Due to the economic impact of COVID-19, corporate layoffs may be imminent in the financial sector, however, our client’s business is extremely important during periods of great economic volatility. So, it can offer: greater stability during troubling economic times, predictable hours (9am-6pm) and a rarity of weekend work or travel, and a compensation package at the higher-end of the in-house market for the candidate profile it seeks.