Assistant General Counsel - Commercial Contracts

Job Description:

Building trusted markets — powered by our people 

At Cboe Global Markets, we inspire our people to solve complex challenges together because what we do matters. We provide the financial infrastructure that powers the global economy. As a leading provider of market infrastructure and tradable products, Cboe delivers cutting-edge trading, clearing and investment solutions to market participants around the world. 

We’re building meaningful ways to support professional and personal development while strengthening the trust we’ve earned as a global market leader. Our teams are empowered to share ideas, actively pursue them and bring on a challenge. As champions of internal mobility and access to opportunity, we encourage our people to “go for it” and equip our managers with the training to coach their teams to the next level. We strive to provide employees a safe space to network, share ideas and create opportunities.  

To support strong partnership and team connection, this role follows a four day in office work model.

Location Overview

Cboe HQ is located in the historic Old Post Office district, it’s a landmark that blends classic architecture with modern amenities. The building features expansive spaces with high ceilings and large windows, offering an abundance of natural light and panoramic views of the city skyline and the Chicago River.

With its prime location in the heart of downtown, the OPO Building provides easy access to major transportation hubs, including Union Station and multiple CTA lines, making it convenient for commuters. The building is home to a variety of amenities, including restaurants, a fitness center, and collaborative workspaces, creating a vibrant and dynamic work environment in one of Chicago's most iconic areas.

Role Overview

The Assistant General Counsel – Commercial Contracts will be primarily focused on reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a wide variety of complex commercial contracts, including vendor, sales, real estate, intellectual property, and market data licensing agreements, as well as overseeing effective contract management processes. This individual may also provide commercial and other legal advice to business and functional areas within Cboe, including marketing and our options educational function. Many functions of the position will be performed on behalf of regulated Cboe entities; accordingly, the successful candidate will need to be familiar with, or interested and capable of learning, key facets of the regulatory environment in which Cboe’s businesses operate. Compliance by Cboe with its legal and regulatory obligations is paramount in the conduct of its business. This position is in Chicago, Illinois.

Your Responsibilities will be:

• Own end-to-end negotiation, drafting and execution of highly complex commercial agreements across five main areas: 

• complex vendor agreements supporting global operations; 

• strategic sales and licensing contracts related to software, market data and analytics and related areas; 

• real estate leases and related build-out agreements; 

• IP licensing and joint development agreements; and 

• other agreements as needed. 

• Advise on Cboe policies and procedures relating to contracting as well as data licensing and related matters, review customer notices, and conduct marketing reviews as needed.

• Collaborate closely with colleagues to understand regulatory implications of business initiatives. 

• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to understand business needs and align contract terms and negotiation strategy.

• Identify. and advise the business on, the legal risks of proposed business initiatives, applying a risk-based framework, and providing guidance on potential mitigants.

• Stay up to date with changes in law and business that could impact the Company’s contractual obligations and rights.

• Oversee the contract management process and advise on the development or enhancement of templates, policies, and processes to help create new efficiencies in the contracting process.

• Participate in cross-functional projects and working groups as needed.

• Assist in managing outside counsel work on general corporate matters.

• Provide other legal support for Company activities.

• Maintain high standards of legal and regulatory compliance and promote a culture of compliance.

The ideal candidate has:

• Bachelor's Degree and Juris Doctorate required (from an accredited institution).

• Member of Illinois state bar or otherwise authorized to practice law in Illinois.

• Minimum 10 years of directly related experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department (preferably in the financial or financial technology industry).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Significant experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements with sophisticated counterparties.

• Sophisticated knowledge of contract law and relevant substantive legal areas, including intellectual property, licensing, privacy, and data protection.

• Working knowledge of general securities industry, financial markets and/or derivatives markets – preferred.

• Experience in the financial services industry or another highly regulated industry – preferred.

• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook, as well as contract lifecycle management, e-signature (e.g., DocuSign), AI-enabled legal tools, document management, and other office technologies.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to understand complex contractual issues, assess risk and provide pragmatic recommendations to all levels of management.

• Strong writing skills and the ability to express complex subject matter in an accurate, clear, and straightforward manner.

• Experience directly and effectively advising senior business leaders, and ability to develop strategic solutions to legal problems and communicate them effectively to the business.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to interact effectively with internal and external contacts.

• Ability to manage a high volume of contracts in a fast-paced environment while maintaining turnaround times, and to work effectively with senior business leaders across sales, procurement, product, and marketing functions.

• Ability to organize and prioritize work assignments and independently manage multiple time-sensitive projects simultaneously with accuracy and quality, adjusting to changing priorities and meeting deadlines.

• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively in a team, offer support to colleagues, balance team and individual responsibilities, remain objective and open to others’ views, and give and welcome feedback.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by an employee in this role.  Employees are required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by their supervisor.  Nothing contained herein restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Benefits and Perks of working for Cboe Global Markets

We value the total wellbeing of our people – including health, financial, personal and social wellness. We believe standard benefits like health insurance and fair pay are a given at any organization. Still, you should know we offer:

• Fair and competitive salary and incentive compensation packages with an upside for overachievement 

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, personal days, sick days and annual community service days 

• Health, dental and vision benefits, including access to telemedicine and mental health services 

• 2:1 401(k) match, up to 8% match immediately upon hire 

• Discounted Employee Stock Purchase Plan  

• Tax Savings Accounts for health, dependent and transportation 

• Employee referral bonus program  

• Volunteer opportunities to help you give back to your communities  

Some of our associates’ favorite benefits and perks include: 

• Complimentary lunch, snacks and coffee in any Cboe office 

• Paid Tuition assistance and education opportunities 

• Generous charitable giving company match 

• Paid parental leave and fertility benefits  

• On-site gyms and discounts to other fitness centers 

• Paid Time Off 

More About Cboe Global Markets

We’re reimagining the future of the workplace by focusing on what matters most, our people. Our journey is an inclusive one. We’re investing deeply in leadership programs and career development initiatives that ensure everyone has an equal chance to succeed.  

We work with purpose, solving problems with ingenuity, collaboration, and a lot of passion. We’re an engaged and excited team connecting markets across borders and embracing growth in all its forms to achieve incredible outcomes. 

Learn more about life at Cboe on our website and LinkedIn. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer who does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any legally protected characteristic, including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. We are committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are valued and respected.  

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This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future.

Salary Ranges (applicable for US locations only)

At Cboe, we are committed to providing a competitive, transparent, and market‑informed total rewards program. The anticipated base salary range for this role is $215,050-$278,300, with actual compensation determined by job‑related factors such as skills, relevant experience, education, internal alignment, and location.

This role may also be eligible for annual incentive compensation and, where applicable, participation in Cboe's long-term equity programs.

Additional information about Cboe's total rewards program, including benefits and other compensation components, can be found here: Total Rewards at CBOE.​
 

Any communication from Cboe regarding this position will only come from a Cboe recruiter who has a @cboe.com email or via LinkedIn Recruiter. Cboe does not use any other third party communication tools for recruiting purposes.