Director Legal Counsel, Commercial Transactions

About the role

Schwab is seeking an experienced senior commercial counsel to lead a wide range of complex commercial transactions while advancing Schwab’s contract operating model to facilitate operational excellence, consistency, and measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Own contract negotiations end-to-end from intake through execution in close coordination with Corporate Vendor Management, internal risk teams, and business stakeholders.
• Scope deal requirements, identify the appropriate contracting structure, and take primary responsibility for drafting, revising, and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Synthesize business objectives and cross-functional risk input into agreements that align with Schwab policies, regulatory guidance, and industry best practices.
• Provide legal counsel on transactional risk, partnering with senior leaders and subject matter experts to advance business goals within Schwab’s governance frameworks.
• Evaluate and communicate legal risks to key stakeholders, translating them into clear decision options.
• Support compliance and risk alignment by confirming that agreements meet firm policies, regulatory standards, and control requirements.
• Support contracting process optimization initiatives that improve speed, quality, and consistency.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement by identifying repeatable workflows where GenAI and automation can improve speed and quality.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) and active bar admission in at least one U.S. state.
• 7+ years of legal experience, including 3+ years in-house (financial services experience strongly preferred).
• Extensive experience negotiating complex commercial agreements, supported by a strong understanding of industry practice and the legal and regulatory frameworks governing commercial contracting.
• Demonstrated ability to balance risk and business objectives, evaluate options quickly, and drive deals to closure.
• Proven execution mindset, with the ability to take ownership of complex workstreams and drive them to completion.
• Strong executive communication skills and ability to explain risk clearly, succinctly, and persuasively.

Preferred

• Deep experience with technology sourcing transactions and licensing.
• Demonstrated program management skills and experience delivering legal transformation or contracting optimization initiatives.
• Comfort supporting or leading change management and implementing legal operations improvements, including responsible adoption of AI-enabled tools.

Benefits

At Schwab, you’re eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 401(k) with company match and Employee stock purchase plan
• Paid time off for vacation, volunteering, and 28-day sabbatical after every 5 years of service
• Paid parental leave and family building benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• Health, dental, and vision insurance