Senior Commercial Counsel - Technology

Your opportunity

The Senior Commercial Counsel (Technology) will provide senior legal support for Janus Henderson’s commercial contracting activity, with a particular focus on technology, software, SaaS, cloud, data, outsourcing, AI-enabled solutions and other emerging technology arrangements. The role will partner closely with Strategic Sourcing, Technology, Information Security, Data Privacy, Compliance, Business Continuity, Finance and business stakeholders to deliver pragmatic, risk-based legal advice and support efficient, consistent and commercially effective contracting outcomes.

The successful candidate will be an experienced commercial contracts lawyer who can lead complex negotiations, advise on legal and regulatory risk, develop playbooks and templates, support contracting standards, and provide day-to-day supervision and guidance to Contract Managers and other contracting support resources. The role requires strong judgment, excellent drafting skills, comfort operating in a regulated financial services environment, and the ability to translate complex legal, regulatory and technology issues into clear, practical advice for business stakeholders.

• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including software, SaaS, cloud, AI-enabled technology, market data, professional services, consulting, outsourcing, managed services, fund services, data processing, confidentiality, statements of work, order forms, amendments and renewal documentation.
• Lead negotiations on complex and higher-risk supplier arrangements, including outsourcing and fund services agreements and those involving access to Janus Henderson systems, confidential information, personal data, ICT services, critical business processes, AI/ML functionality or regulated outsourcing considerations.
• Provide practical legal advice on key contractual issues, including liability, indemnities, warranties, intellectual property, data protection, confidentiality, information security, audit rights, service levels, exit assistance, subcontracting, assignment, regulatory access, resilience and termination rights.
• Advise on emerging technology contracting risks, including AI governance, responsible use, model/output risk, vendor use of customer data, training data restrictions, explainability, human oversight, IP ownership, confidentiality, cybersecurity, bias, operational resilience and vendor accountability.
• Manage Janus Henderson’s trademark portfolio, including oversight of trademark registrations, renewals, clearances, brand protection matters, enforcement support and coordination with external counsel where required.
• Support alignment of supplier contracts with applicable data privacy and protection requirements, including GDPR, UK GDPR, CCPA/CPRA and other relevant privacy and data protection regulations, as well as Janus Henderson data privacy standards and privacy-by-design expectations.
• Support DORA-related contracting and governance requirements for ICT third-party service providers, including review of contractual provisions relating to access, audit, information security, subcontracting, incident notification, service continuity, exit, termination and regulatory cooperation.
• Develop, maintain and improve legal playbooks, fallback positions, clause libraries, templates, guidance notes, risk matrices and training materials to support consistent contracting positions and scalable legal review.
• Provide day-to-day supervision, coaching and escalation support to Contract Managers and other contracting support resources, including guidance on issue spotting, drafting quality, negotiation strategy and appropriate escalation thresholds.
• Partner with Strategic Sourcing to support sourcing strategy, negotiation planning, supplier due diligence, renewal management and commercially effective outcomes for material vendor relationships.
• Collaborate with Information Security, Data Privacy, Compliance, Business Continuity, Records Management, Architecture and Technology teams to ensure supplier arrangements are reviewed and managed in accordance with applicable governance requirements.
• Help triage contracting requests, prioritize legal support based on risk and business impact, and improve workflow discipline across intake, review, negotiation, approval, execution and repository processes.
• Identify recurring negotiation issues, process gaps, bottlenecks and opportunities for standardization, automation or improved stakeholder experience.
• Support internal training for Legal, Strategic Sourcing, Contract Managers and business stakeholders on contracting standards, privacy, DORA, AI contracting considerations and third-party risk issues.
• Carry out other duties as assigned.

What to expect when you join our firm

• Hybrid working and reasonable accommodations
• Generous Holiday policies
• Excellent Health and Wellbeing benefits including corporate membership to Wellhub
• Paid volunteer time to step away from your desk and into the community
• Support to grow through professional development courses, tuition/qualification reimbursement and more
• Maternal/paternal leave benefits and family services
• All employee events including networking opportunities and social activities
• Lunch allowance for use within our subsidized onsite canteen

Must-have skills