Assistant Vice President, Senior Associate Counsel - Procurement

position summary

focus is seeking an experienced and strategic attorney to join our team as assistant vice president, senior associate counsel - procurement. This pivotal role offers a unique opportunity to support our rapidly growing organization by providing expert legal counsel on a wide range of commercial contracts, with a particular focus on advancing our technology, data and procurement strategy.

this role can be based in st. Louis, mo; new york, ny; boston, ma. St. Louis is the preferred location for this role.

• contract drafting, negotiation & review. Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range 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 in support of technology-driven and commercial transactions. Execute contracts from intake through negotiation and execution, supporting timely and commercially sound outcomes and escalating complex or high-risk issues as appropriate.
• stakeholder collaboration. Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and cross‑functional teams, including finance, tax, technology, procurement, vendor management, cybersecurity and legal colleagues, to ensure contractual terms align with organizational objectives and applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Serve as a key legal partner throughout the vendor lifecycle, supporting vendor selection and onboarding, ongoing relationship management, contract changes and renewals, and offboarding, as needed.
• contracting policies & process improvement. Contribute to the development, refinement, and maintenance of contract templates, clause libraries, negotiation playbooks, and internal guidance to promote efficiency, consistency, and scalability in contracting and procurement practices. Support the continuous improvement of and procurement policies, procedures and best practices in alignment with strategic business initiatives and operational needs.
• regulatory awareness & compliance. Stay informed on evolving laws, regulations and industry standards impacting 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, supporting ongoing compliance and risk mitigation.

• 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.
• 4+ years of legal experience with a strong foundation in commercial contract law, with a preference for candidates who have focused on technology contracts within the financial services sector, particularly in the registered investment advisor space.
• prior in‑house legal experience is required.
• proven expertise in contract negotiation, drafting, and review, with the ability to manage complex agreements efficiently.
• demonstrated 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 ability to collaborate cross‑functionally with business leaders and stakeholders, providing clear, actionable legal guidance.
• exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts to both legal and non‑legal audiences.

this is an exempt position. The annualized base pay range for this role is expected to be between $150,000 and $170,000. Actual base pay could vary based on factors including but not limited to experience, subject matter expertise, geographic location where work will be performed, and the applicant’s skill set. The base pay is just one component of the total compensation package for employees.

Other rewards may include an annual cash bonus…