Senior Counsel

Senior Counsel, Procurement

Symetra's Senior Counsel will serve as a strategic legal advisor supporting the enterprise procurement function and business stakeholders, with primary responsibility for negotiating and advising on complex technology, SaaS, data licensing, artificial intelligence, cloud services, outsourcing, and other commercial transactions. This attorney will provide practical, risk-based legal guidance on a broad range of procurement matters, including privacy, information security, data governance, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, and emerging AI-related risks.

The Senior Counsel will work alongside the current lead Law Department procurement counsel to facilitate contract reviews in conjunction with Procurement, Information Security, Privacy Office, Data Governance, Compliance, Risk Management, and business leadership to ensure efficient contracting processes while protecting the company's legal, regulatory, operational, and reputational interests.

Responsibilities

Commercial Contracting & Procurement

• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on complex commercial agreements, including:
• Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) agreements
• Software licensing agreements
• Cloud services agreements
• Data licensing and data-sharing agreements
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning agreements
• Technology services agreements
• Professional services agreements
• Outsourcing and managed services agreements
• Vendor, supplier, and procurement contracts
• Lead high-value and strategically significant contract negotiations with vendors, technology providers, consultants, and business partners.
• Advise procurement and business teams on contractual risk allocation, including indemnification, limitation of liability, warranties, service levels, intellectual property rights, audit rights, business continuity, and termination provisions.
• Develop scalable contracting strategies, templates, playbooks, policies, and negotiation guidance to improve operational efficiency and consistency.

Contracting Review Focuses:a

Privacy, Cybersecurity & Data Governance

• Provide legal counsel as deemed necessary regarding privacy and data protection requirements impacting procurement and vendor relationships.
• Review and negotiate privacy, security, confidentiality, and data processing provisions in vendor agreements.
• Advise on compliance with applicable laws and regulations governing personal information, health information, consumer data, and cross-border data transfers.
• Partner with Privacy, Information Security, and Compliance teams to evaluate and mitigate data protection, cybersecurity, and third-party risk.
• Support vendor assessments involving sensitive customer, employee, financial, health, or proprietary information.

Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technology

• As directed by Law Department Leadership, advise stakeholders on legal, regulatory, contractual, governance, and operational risks associated with artificial intelligence technologies and AI-enabled products and services.
• Review and negotiate AI-specific contract provisions addressing data usage, model training, intellectual property ownership, confidentiality, transparency, bias, accountability, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor emerging laws, regulations, and industry guidance related to artificial intelligence, automated decision-making, and data governance.
• As directed by Law Department Leadership, assist in the development and implementation of AI governance frameworks, policies, and risk management controls.

Legal Risk Management & Strategic Advice

• Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice to procurement teams, business leaders, and executive stakeholders.
• Identify, assess, and communicate legal and regulatory risks while developing commercially reasonable solutions.
• Monitor developments in procurement, technology contracting, privacy, cybersecurity, AI, and related regulatory requirements and communicate implications across the organization.
• Support internal audits, regulatory inquiries, examinations, and investigations involving procurement, third-party vendors, privacy, cybersecurity, or technology matters.
• Collaborate effectively with Compliance, Risk, Information Security, Procurement, and other business teams on cross-functional initiatives.
• Manage outside counsel and specialized legal resources when appropriate.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.

Experience

• Minimum 7-10 years of combined law firm and/or in-house legal experience, with significant responsibility for commercial contracting and technology transactions.
• Demonstrated experience independently leading negotiations of complex commercial and technology agreements.
• Substantial experience supporting enterprise procurement functions and vendor contracting programs.
• Experience advising on SaaS, cloud computing, software licensing, technology services, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience providing legal guidance related to privacy, cybersecurity, data governance, and information security matters.
• Experience evaluating and managing legal risks associated with artificial intelligence and emerging technologies is strongly preferred.
• Experience in insurance, financial services, fintech, healthcare, or other highly regulated industries preferred.

Licensing

• Active license and good standing in at least one U.S. state bar.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with enterprise procurement systems, contracting workflows, and vendor governance programs.
• Experience advising executive leadership on complex legal and business risks.
• Experience creating contract templates, negotiation playbooks, and legal process improvements.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Deep knowledge of commercial contracting principles and technology transactions.
• Strong understanding of privacy, cybersecurity, and data protection laws, including HIPAA, GLBA, state privacy laws, GDPR, and other applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Understanding of legal and regulatory developments affecting artificial intelligence, automated decision-making, and data governance.
• Excellent contract drafting, negotiation, and issue-spotting skills.
• Strong business judgment with the ability to balance legal risk and commercial objectives.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization, including senior leadership.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive legal process improvements.

We empower inclusion
At Symetra, we aspire to be the most inclusive insurance company in the country. We're building a place where every employee feels valued, respected, and has opportunities to contribute.

Inclusion is about recognizing our assumptions, considering multiple perspective, and removing barriers. We accept and celebrate diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives, because lifting each other up fuels thought and builds a stronger, more innovative company. We invite you to learn more about our efforts here.

 

Creating a world where more people have access to financial freedom
Symetra is a national financial services company dedicated to helping people achieve their financial goals and feel confident about the future. In our daily work, we're guided by the principles of Value, Transparency and Sustainability. This means we provide products and services people need at a competitive price, we communicate clearly and openly so people understand what they're buying, and we design products--and operate our company--to stand the test of time. We're committed to showing up for our communities, lifting up our employees, and standing up for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Join our team and help us create a world where more people have access to financial freedom.

For more information about our careers visit: https://symetra.eightfold.ai/careers

 

Work Authorization
Employer work visa sponsorship and support are not provided for this role. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at hire and must maintain authorization to work in the United States throughout their employment with our company.

 

Please review Symetra's Remote Network Minimum Requirements:

As a remote-first organization committed to providing a positive experience for both employees and customers, Symetra has the following standards for employees' internet connection:

• Minimum Internet Speed:100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, in alignment with the FCC's definition of "broadband."
• Internet Type:Fiber, Cable (e.g., Comcast, Spectrum), or DSL.
• Not Permissible:Satellite (e.g., Starlink), cellular broadband (hotspot or otherwise), any other wireless technology, or wired dial-up.

When applying to jobs at Symetra you'll be asked to test your internet speed and confirm that your internet connection meets or exceeds Symetra's standard as outlined above.

 

Identity Verification

Symetra is committed to fair and secure hiring practices. For all roles, candidates will be required (after the initial phone screen) to be on video for all interviews. Symetra will take affirmative steps at key points in the process to verify that a candidate is not seeking employment fraudulently, e.g. through use of a false identity.

 

Failure to comply with verification procedures may result in:

• Disqualification from the recruitment process
• Withdrawal of a job offer
• Termination of employment and other criminal and/or civil remedies, if fraud is discovered