Director, Contract Optimization & Risk Evaluation - UTA Advisory

Skills

About the Role

You will act as a trusted advisor to leading advertisers across industries—including CPG, Auto, Retail, Pharma, FinServ and Entertainment—optimizing agreements representing billions of dollars in annual media buying and marketing value through agency partners. You will leverage analytical rigor, legal expertise, and strategic judgment to identify risks, uncover opportunities, and drive enhanced performance across complex, multi-channel contracts. You will support the Principal, Head of Global Contract Advisory to drive industry thought leadership and empower client organizations to navigate the evolving commercial landscape shaped by emerging technologies, regulatory changes, and industry transformation. You will play a key role in new business development, helping to expand client relationships, identify growth opportunities, and bring C.O.R.E.'s advisory services to new markets and partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or related discipline from an accredited university or college (preferred)
• Paralegal certification
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree (preferred)
• 5+ years in media & marketing, including experience in digital with data operations/infrastructure preferred
• 2+ years in legal affairs, contract administration, or equivalent contract-focused role
• Experience with large-scale media and advertising agreements
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams in contract analysis and risk assessment
• Track record of developing and applying contracting methodologies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities
• Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail
• Experience with data governance and omni-channel media
• Knowledge of global agency partnerships and international contracts
• Proven ability to navigate complex legal and business challenges
• Leadership capability and team management experience
• Industry acumen regarding media buying, creative production, advertising, and technology partnerships
• Ability to translate complex legal concepts into actionable business insights

Responsibilities

• Serve as an advisor to in-house client legal teams on complex media buying, creative, production, and distribution agreements
• Manage workflow and communication across all contract lifecycle stages
• Work collaboratively with legal, procurement, media, advertising, and marketing teams to guide negotiations and drive outcomes
• Lead teams of consultants and legal experts in conducting current-state evaluations and research across client organizations
• Analyze cross-functional workflows and stakeholder roles to identify critical touchpoints that impact contract negotiations and outcomes
• Prepare comprehensive assessments of risk profiles, compliance issues, and associated financial implications
• Synthesize findings into actionable insights to inform contract inputs, risk assessment, and optimization strategies
• Apply best-in-class contracting methodologies to shepherd brand and media strategies
• Identify emerging risks including those related to artificial intelligence, regulatory changes, and industry dynamics
• Lead improvements and innovations across media and creative agency engagements, platform agreements, technology partnerships, and media vendor relationships
• Guide contract negotiations and escalate complex legal and technical issues to stakeholders
• Advise on advertising industry trends and negotiation strategies
• Support oversight of agreements representing significant annual media buying commitments
• Conduct compliance reviews of existing contracts with extensive research and statistical analysis
• Provide input and support to key client business functions on ongoing contract administration
• Maintain internal client files and update legal resources as needed
• Conduct training sessions on contracting processes and contract terms for client business teams
• Craft thought-leadership pieces for internal and external distribution

Benefits

• Access to the tools, leadership, and resources you will need to create and drive a center of excellence
• Competitive programs to support your well-being