Description:

We have an exciting opportunity for a Counsel I Vendor Contracts & Leasing! We're growing our Legal team by hiring a Counsel - Vendor Contracts & Leasing to support Wealth Enhancement Group's (WEG's) vendor contracting, procurement, and real estate legal functions reporting to the Deputy General Counsel. This position will assist with the review, drafting, negotiation, and administration of a broad range of commercial agreements and office leases, while helping ensure alignment with company policies, business objectives, and applicable legal requirements.

The ideal candidate will have foundational experience in commercial contracting, vendor management, procurement support, corporate law, and commercial real estate leasing. This role will partner closely with Legal, Procurement, Facilities, IT, Information Security, Privacy, Compliance, Finance, and business stakeholders to support efficient contracting processes and practical risk management. The position will also assist with contract lifecycle management initiatives and the responsible use of legal technology and artificial intelligence tools to improve contract review and administration workflows.

This is a Remote position in the Twin Cities area.

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position is $110,000.00 to $130,000.00, exclusive of bonuses and benefits. We encourage you to apply and provide us with your compensation expectations when you do. We're big on open conversations, so, let's have one.

Primary Job Functions:
Commercial Contracts & Vendor Management

Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of vendor and commercial agreements, including master services agreements, statements of work, SaaS and software agreements, professional services agreements, consulting agreements, marketing agreements, confidentiality agreements, data protection addenda, and related documents.
Identify legal and business risks and propose practical, commercially reasonable solutions consistent with company policies and contracting standards.
Support Procurement and business teams throughout the contract lifecycle, from intake and negotiation through execution, renewal, amendment, and termination.
Assist with maintaining and improving contract templates, negotiation playbooks, standard clauses, intake materials, and internal guidance.
Coordinate with Information Security, Privacy, Compliance, Risk, Finance, and other subject matter experts when agreements raise specialized issues.
Track negotiations, document key decisions, and support accurate and timely contract administration.
Escalate non-standard, high-risk, or strategically significant matters to senior Legal team members.

Real Estate & Lease Support

Review, draft, and negotiate office leases, lease amendments, renewals, extensions, subleases, assignments, termination agreements, and related occupancy documents, with guidance from senior Legal team members as appropriate.
Support Facilities and business leaders on office openings, relocations, expansions, consolidations, and closures.
Review landlord and tenant notices, estoppel certificates, subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreements, access agreements, commencement date memoranda, and other lease-related documents.
Assist with lease compliance matters, including insurance requirements, maintenance and repair obligations, operating expenses, tenant improvement obligations, use restrictions, and notice requirements.
Coordinate with outside real estate counsel, brokers, landlords, property managers, and internal stakeholders as needed.
Support maintenance of lease records, abstracts, critical dates, renewal rights, notice deadlines, and other key obligations.

Contract Administration & Legal Operations

Support administration and continuous improvement of contract lifecycle management systems, matter intake processes, e-signature workflows, and legal workflow tools.
Assist with the development and maintenance of contract templates, negotiation playbooks, clause libraries, approval matrices, and self-service resources.
Partner business stakeholders to improve contracting efficiency, consistency, transparency, and recordkeeping.
Participate in legal technology and artificial intelligence initiatives designed to streamline contract review and administration, subject to company policies and appropriate human oversight.
Assist with due diligence and integration work relating to vendor contracts, leased facilities, and other assigned commercial matters.

Documentation & Template Management

Draft, review, maintain, and update vendor contract templates, lease forms, amendments, notices, checklists, and internal guidance materials.
Help ensure templates and guidance remain current with changes in applicable law, company policy, and business practices.
Organize and maintain complete, accurate, and accessible legal records relating to vendor agreements and leased facilities.

General Legal Support

Provide day-to-day legal support on commercial contracting, procurement, facilities, and other assigned business matters.
Conduct legal research and prepare concise, practical analyses on issues affecting business operations.
Assist internal clients in understanding contractual obligations, available options, and legal risk considerations.
Collaborate with other members of the Legal team on cross-functional projects and general corporate matters.
Prepare and present clear updates, training materials, and guidance for business stakeholders.
Contribute to a culture of compliance, collaboration, sound judgment, and continuous improvement within the Legal function.

Role Scope & Development
This position is intended to provide meaningful responsibility and professional development under the guidance of more senior attorneys. The Counsel will independently handle matters within established parameters, partner with senior Legal team members on complex or higher-risk negotiations, and expand their responsibilities as experience and subject matter knowledge grow.

Education/Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
Active bar membership in at least one U.S. state
2+ years of relevant legal experience in commercial contracts, procurement, corporate law, real estate, or a related practice area. Experience in a law firm or in-house legal department will be considered.
Experience reviewing, drafting, or negotiating commercial agreements.
Familiarity with office leases, commercial real estate documents, facilities-related matters, privacy or information security terms, or technology agreements.
Strong legal drafting, issue-spotting, research, and analytical skills.
Ability to communicate legal concepts clearly and effectively to attorney and non-attorney stakeholders.
Sound judgment and the ability to recognize when a matter should be escalated.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to reliable follow-through.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects with tight deadlines.
Comfort using, or willingness to learn, contract lifecycle management systems, e-signature platforms, and legal technology tools.
Demonstrated curiosity, collaboration, and willingness to develop expertise across a broad range of commercial legal matters.