Legal Procurement Advisor

KeyBank•Brooklyn, OH

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Legal Procurement Advisor provides legal support to KeyCorp’s Procurement Department, primarily advising procurement strategists. The role involves understanding and negotiating standard procurement agreements, advising on regulatory compliance and legal requirements applicable to procurement contracts, and participating in procurement negotiations. The advisor ensures agreements accurately capture desired business and legal terms and reflect Key’s risk tolerances, while working closely with internal risk partners and clients to meet business and regulatory requirements. The advisor manages a high volume of agreements and the standard procurement agreement process. They assess business needs and risks with KeyCorp risk groups and lines of business, provide timely and collegial client responses, and help ensure procurement contracts comply with applicable laws and regulations. The role also includes identifying and mitigating risks, collaborating with compliance and risk groups, escalating critical issues when appropriate, and keeping informed about legal and regulatory developments. The position calls for strong working relationships with clients, procurement and law group colleagues, outside attorneys, and industry representatives. It requires sound legal judgment, effective communication, organization, collaboration, and the ability to work independently in the business, compliance, and regulatory environment associated with procurement and financial services. The role is hybrid, with an in-office presence of at least three days per week, and involves general office work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctorate.
License to practice law and in good standing.
At least 3 years of relevant experience.
Proficiency in researching, drafting, and negotiating legal agreements.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to understand and work within the business, compliance, and regulatory environment associated with procurement and the financial services industry.
Ability to develop technical, legal, and business knowledge in relevant areas, and willingness to develop cross-functional knowledge.
Ability to organize information, recommend solutions, communicate, and collaborate with legal and business professionals.
Accountability, including honoring commitments, accepting responsibility for mistakes and failures, and communicating openly and honestly.
Effective collaboration, including identifying stakeholders, sharing information and ideas, listening actively, and accurately restating differing opinions.
Client focus, including meeting internal clients’ expectations and building effective, trusting relationships.
Business acumen, including knowledge of business practices, trends, competition, and marketplace strategies.
Commitment to personal and professional development.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the financial services industry and its regulatory environment.
Knowledge of commercial law and procurement or supply chain processes.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Attendance at continuing legal education seminars and professional forums that provide timely information on industry developments.

Responsibilities

Provide competent and effective legal advice and support as a business partner.
Provide procurement legal contract support for assigned clients, focusing on business objectives while addressing associated risks.
Conduct legal research involving procurement issues.
Provide prompt legal counsel primarily to associate procurement strategists.
Organize and prioritize a diverse workload and respond to client requests in a timely, collegial manner.
Draft and negotiate contracts, and participate in the contract negotiation process.
Analyze significant legal issues involving procurement of goods and services.
Communicate effectively in writing and orally.
Work with legal professionals in the Key Law Group and outside counsel.
Identify contract risks and incorporate appropriate language to mitigate them.
Collaborate with compliance and risk groups to identify, assess, and mitigate risks.
Escalate critical risk issues to line-of-business senior management as appropriate.
Keep informed of current legal and regulatory trends.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with clients, procurement and law group colleagues, outside attorneys, and industry representatives.
Treat co-workers, clients, and external contacts with professionalism and respect.
Participate in project teams and support other lines of business as requested.
Meet client procurement needs in support of the organization’s competitive advantage and procurement savings targets.