Director, Legal - Data and Content

Skills

About the Role

You will serve as the strategic lead for the data and content legal function, based remotely in the United States with a strong preference for the East Coast. You'll be directly responsible for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating the most complex commercial data and content contracts, including sell-side research licensing agreements, exchange and financial data/content agreements, distribution and aggregation agreements, and vendor contracts for the global acquisition and licensing of content. Beyond hands-on negotiation, you'll act as a trusted legal advisor to internal stakeholders, including senior executives, providing expert guidance on content and data rights and strategy. Reporting to the SVP of Legal, you'll partner with teams across Content, Sales, Marketing, and Product to build a scalable legal framework supporting the company's high-growth goals, while also developing and managing a small team.

Requirements

• J.D. from an ABA accredited law school and admission to, and good standing with, a state bar
• Minimum of 8+ years' experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating agreements relating to the licensing of content/data (including sell-side investment research and market data) with experience in-house at a broker-dealer, investment bank, or financial data provider
• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations relating to intellectual property, financial data/research, compliance, financial regulation, securities, privacy, and other federal, state, and local laws
• Ability to review and negotiate commercial contracts including Master Services Agreements, Services Agreements, SOWs, Service Level Agreements, Data Licensing Agreements, Content Distribution Agreements, Order Forms, NDAs, etc.
• Superior business acumen with a commitment to responsive client service and a pragmatic mindset balanced with legal risk management
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to support difficult positions in a firm and patient manner
• Effective communication skills with the ability to interact with internal and external professionals of all types and backgrounds

Responsibilities

• Draft, negotiate, and review sell-side research licensing agreements, exchange and financial data agreements, content distribution agreements, content aggregation agreements, data licensing agreements, and vendor and supplier contracts relating to the acquisition and distribution of data
• Conduct research and help develop proposals and project plans in the procurement and/or distribution of data and content
• Advise internal stakeholders, including members of the executive team, on data and content matters including use rights/restrictions, regulatory compliance, commercial disputes, privacy, etc.
• Partner closely with the Content team in acquisition and distribution of data and content, including developing applicable policies
• Remain informed of the shifting legal landscape of applicable global laws, regulations, and industry guidance
• Help create and enhance playbooks to establish company parameters to scale the legal function as the company grows
• Work effectively in a dynamic environment across different functional groups and time zones
• Provide legal and strategic business advice to ensure agreements are consistent with playbooks, internal policies, and processes
• Develop and manage a small team to scale the department's output
• Support the AlphaSense legal team on corporate and other general legal matters as needed

Benefits

• Performance-based bonus
• Equity
• Generous benefits program