Job description

Alternate Locations: Radnor, PA (Pennsylvania); Charlotte, NC (North Carolina); Fort Wayne, IN (Indiana); Greensboro, NC (North Carolina); Hartford, CT (Connecticut) Work Arrangement: Hybrid : Employee will work 3 days a week in a Lincoln office Relocation assistance: is not available for this opportunity. Requisition #: 76631 The Role at a Glance As the AVP, Legal Counsel, Enterprise Contracts, you will serve as a key strategic legal advisor supporting Lincoln's buy-side contracting and related activities. You will partner with business clients and cross functional stakeholders to structure, negotiate, and execute a broad range of commercial transactions, including software-as-a-service agreements, outsourcing agreements, professional services agreements, licensing agreements, supply agreements, equipment leases, and event agreements. In this role, you will have a leadership role in negotiating transactions representing tens or hundreds of millions of dollars in annual spend, balancing business objectives with legal, financial, operational, and reputational risk considerations. You will provide practical, business focused legal counsel that enables informed decision making while safeguarding the organization's interests. Additionally, you will play an important role in shaping Lincoln's contracting strategy and governance framework by driving best practices, enhancing contracting processes, improving operational efficiency, and fostering a culture of effective risk management and strong business partnership across the enterprise. Through your leadership, collaboration, and subject matter expertise, you will help advance strategic initiatives and deliver meaningful business impact. What you'll be doing • Provide subject matter expertise on a broad range of commercial transactions, including software-as-a-service agreements, outsourcing agreements, professional services agreements, licensing agreements, supply agreements, equipment leases, and event agreements. • Serve as a trusted legal advisor to business leaders and key stakeholders, delivering practical, risk-based guidance aligned with business objectives. • Act as a key contributor in cross functional team environments, partnering with business units to identify, assess, and mitigate legal, financial, operational, and reputational risks. • Collaborate with peers and leadership across business units and corporate functions to champion contracting excellence, drive change management initiatives, and implement process improvements. • Create, refine, and drive adoption of enterprise contracting standards, playbooks, and best practices to improve consistency, efficiency, and risk management outcomes. • Develop and define appropriate objectives and performance standards related to quality, compliance, operational effectiveness, and productivity within assigned areas of responsibility. • Provide legal counsel and thought leadership to internal stakeholders on complex and highly visible projects and initiatives. • Foster an inclusive and collaborative environment by encouraging dialogue, welcoming diverse perspectives, and supporting sound decision making across teams. • Continuously monitor emerging legal and industry developments affecting commercial contracting and vendor management, assessing potential impacts and recommending proactive strategies. What we’re looking for Must-Haves • 8+ years of legal experience with significant focus on commercial contracts directly aligned with the responsibilities of this role. • J.D. from an American Bar Association accredited law school and active membership in at least one state Bar in good standing. • Advanced knowledge and expertise across all facets of contract law, including contract formation, negotiation, interpretation, enforcement, and dispute mitigation. • Solid command of privacy, information security and artificial intelligence considerations as they relate to contracts. • Experience negotiating a wide variety of contracts, including software-as-a-service agreements, outsourcing agreements, licensing agreements, professional services agreements, and supply agreements. • Strong business acumen with the ability to balance legal risk considerations with organizational goals and operational needs. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable business guidance. • Demonstrated ability to operate independently, lead complex initiatives, and influence decision making at senior levels of the organization. Application Deadline Applications for this position will be accepted through October, 31, 2026, subject to earlier closure due to applicant volume. What’s it like to work here? At Lincoln Financial, we love what we do. We make meaningful contributions each and every day to empower our customers to take charge of their lives. Working alongside dedicated and talented colleagues, we build fulfilling careers and stronger communities through a company that values our unique perspectives, insights and contributions and invests in programs that empower each of us to take charge of our own future. What’s in it for you: • Clearly defined career tracks and job levels, along with associated behaviors for each of Lincoln's core values and leadership attributes • Leadership development and virtual training opportunities • PTO/parental leave • Competitive 401K and employee benefits • Free financial counseling, health coaching and employee assistance program • Tuition assistance program • Work arrangements that work for you • Effective productivity/technology tools and training The pay range for this position is $171,375 - $274,200 with anticipated pay for new hires between the minimum and midpoint of the range and could vary above and below the listed range as permitted by applicable law. Pay is based on non-discriminatory factors including but not limited to work experience, education, location, licensure requirements, proficiency and qualifications required for the role. The base pay is just one component of Lincoln’s total rewards package for employees. In addition, the role may be eligible for the Annual Incentive Program, which is discretionary and based on the performance of the company, business unit and individual. Other rewards may include long-term incentives, sales incentives and Lincoln’s standard benefits package. About The Company Lincoln Financial (NYSE: LNC) helps people to confidently plan for their version of a successful future. We focus on identifying a clear path to financial security, with products including annuities, life insurance, group protection, and retirement plan services. With our 120-year track record of expertise and integrity, millions of customers trust our solutions and service to help put their goals in reach. Lincoln Financial Distributors, a broker-dealer, is the wholesale distribution organization of Lincoln Financial. Lincoln Financial is the marketing name for Lincoln Financial Corporation and its affiliates including The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, IN, and Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, Syracuse, NY. Lincoln Financial affiliates, their distributors, and their respective employees, representatives and/or insurance agents do not provide tax, accounting or legal advice. Lincoln is committed to creating an inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Follow us on Facebook , X , LinkedIn , Instagram , and YouTube . For the latest company news, visit our newsroom . Be Aware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities If you are interested in a career at Lincoln, we encourage you to review our current openings and apply on our website. Lincoln values the privacy and security of every applicant and urges all applicants to diligently protect their sensitive personal information from scams targeting job seekers. These scams can take many forms including fake employment applications, bogus interviews and falsified offer letters. Lincoln will not ask applicants to provide their social security numbers, date of birth, bank account information or other sensitive information in job applications. Additionally, our recruiters do not communicate with applicants through free e-mail accounts (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or conduct interviews utilizing video chat rooms. We will never ask applicants to provide payment during the hiring process or extend an offer without conducting a phone, live video or in-person interview. Please contact Lincoln's fraud team at fraudhotline@lfg.com if you encounter a recruiter or see a job opportunity that seems suspicious. Additional Information This position may be subject to Lincoln’s Political Contribution Policy. An offer of employment may be contingent upon disclosing to Lincoln the details of certain political contributions. Lincoln may decline to extend an offer or terminate employment for this role if it determines political contributions made could have an adverse impact on Lincoln’s current or future business interests, misrepresentations were made, or for failure to fully disclose applicable political contributions and or fundraising activities. Any unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles submitted through our web site or to personal e-mail accounts of employees of Lincoln Financial are considered property of Lincoln Financial and are not subject to payment of agency fees. Lincoln Financial ("Lincoln" or "the Company") is an Equal Opportunity employer and, as such, is committed in policy and practice to recruit, hire, compensate, train and promote, in all job classifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability. Opportunities throughout Lincoln are available to employees and applicants are evaluated on the basis of job qualifications. If you are a person with a disability that impedes your ability to express your interest for a position through our online application process, or require TTY/TDD assistance, contact us by calling (866) 922-6543. This Employer Participates in E-Verify. See the E-Verify notices. Este Empleador Participa en E-Verify. Ver el E-Verify avisos.

Requirements

Must-haves

Alternate Locations: Radnor, PA (Pennsylvania); Charlotte, NC (North Carolina); Fort Wayne, IN (Indiana); Greensboro, NC (North Carolina); Hartford, CT (Connecticut)
Hybrid : Employee will work 3 days a week in a Lincoln office
Relocation assistance: is not available for this opportunity.
Requisition #: 76631
The Role at a Glance
What you'll be doing
Serve as a trusted legal advisor to business leaders and key stakeholders, delivering practical, risk-based guidance aligned with business objectives.
Act as a key contributor in cross functional team environments, partnering with business units to identify, assess, and mitigate legal, financial, operational, and reputational risks.
Collaborate with peers and leadership across business units and corporate functions to champion contracting excellence, drive change management initiatives, and implement process improvements.
Create, refine, and drive adoption of enterprise contracting standards, playbooks, and best practices to improve consistency, efficiency, and risk management outcomes.
Develop and define appropriate objectives and performance standards related to quality, compliance, operational effectiveness, and productivity within assigned areas of responsibility.
Provide legal counsel and thought leadership to internal stakeholders on complex and highly visible projects and initiatives.
Foster an inclusive and collaborative environment by encouraging dialogue, welcoming diverse perspectives, and supporting sound decision making across teams.
Continuously monitor emerging legal and industry developments affecting commercial contracting and vendor management, assessing potential impacts and recommending proactive strategies.
What we’re looking for
8+ years of legal experience with significant focus on commercial contracts directly aligned with the responsibilities of this role.
J.D. from an American Bar Association accredited law school and active membership in at least one state Bar in good standing.
Advanced knowledge and expertise across all facets of contract law, including contract formation, negotiation, interpretation, enforcement, and dispute mitigation.
Solid command of privacy, information security and artificial intelligence considerations as they relate to contracts.
Experience negotiating a wide variety of contracts, including software-as-a-service agreements, outsourcing agreements, licensing agreements, professional services agreements, and supply agreements.
Strong business acumen with the ability to balance legal risk considerations with organizational goals and operational needs.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable business guidance.
Demonstrated ability to operate independently, lead complex initiatives, and influence decision making at senior levels of the organization.
Application Deadline

Nice-to-haves

None flagged.

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Platform: successfactors
Effort: medium

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

401k

Pto

Parental Leave