Senior Data Licensing and Contracting Counsel

About the role

A leading global financial markets and data organization is seeking a senior commercial attorney to serve as a trusted business partner across its data services division, with a primary focus on data governance, commercial data licensing, technology and software licensing, and strategic agreements.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end legal relationship with the organization's largest customers, structuring and negotiating deals that span data licenses, market data and financial product licenses, redistribution arrangements, and exchange agreements across global markets
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, with an emphasis on U.S.-based customer data license agreements and data-sourcing contracts
• Advises on and negotiates complex, strategic commercial transactions across the business
• Help shape how the legal team adopts AI—from contract review and workflow automation to template development—as part of a broader legal innovation initiative
• Provide timely, business-oriented legal advice to internal stakeholders across sales, product, finance, marketing, and data governance functions
• Identify legal and regulatory risk within proposed business strategies and offer practical, creative solutions
• Ensure all advice aligns with applicable regulatory requirements and internal policies, including global data protection and financial services regulations
• Assist in the preparation and review of external Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Proposal (RFPs)
• Collaborate with commercial and product teams during client negotiations and issue resolution
• Drive improvements to legal workflows, templates, and processes, including through AI-enabled tools
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative legal department culture and mentor junior team members

Requirements

• J.D. with active admission to the New York Bar and 8+ years of relevant legal experience
• Substantial in-house experience; prior work at a financial services, financial data, or financial technology company strongly preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in commercial licensing, contract drafting and negotiation, and legal advisory work
• Hands-on experience with market data, global exchanges, and financial services/markets, with the ability to operate across diverse product areas
• Deep familiarity with the global regulatory landscape impacting financial data services, including MiFID II, SEC, CFTC, GDPR, U.S. export control laws, OFAC requirements, IOSCO principles, and the EU Benchmarks Regulation (BMR)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to deliver clear, concise advice to senior management and business heads
• Proven negotiation skills and a track record of navigating complex, multi-party commercial arrangements
• A business-minded, solution-oriented approach and strong organizational skills, with the flexibility to accommodate international time zones as needed
• Outstanding professional references

Qualifications

• Substantial in-house experience; prior work at a financial services, financial data, or financial technology company strongly preferred
• Hands-on experience with market data, global exchanges, and financial services/markets, with the ability to operate across diverse product areas
• Deep familiarity with the global regulatory landscape impacting financial data services, including MiFID II, SEC, CFTC, GDPR, U.S. export control laws, OFAC requirements, IOSCO principles, and the EU Benchmarks Regulation (BMR)
• Proven negotiation skills and a track record of navigating complex, multi-party commercial arrangements

Skills

• Commercial licensing
• Contract drafting and negotiation
• Legal advisory work
• Market data
• Global exchanges
• Financial services/markets
• Regulatory compliance
• AI adoption
• Business strategy
• Client negotiations
• Workflow automation
• Template development

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• Disability
• 401(k) plan
• Generous leave policies

Pay

The base salary range for this role is $210,000 to $255,000. This position is also eligible for cash and equity incentive compensation.