Job Description Summary
For over forty years, HarbourVest has been home to a committed team of professionals with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to deliver impactful solutions to our clients and investing partners. As our global firm grows, we continue to add individuals who seek a collaborative, open-door culture that values diversity and innovative thinking.
In our collegial environment that’s marked by low turnover and high energy, you’ll be inspired to grow and thrive. Here, you will be encouraged to build on your strengths and acquire new skills and experiences.
We are committed to fostering an environment of inclusion that promotes mutual respect among all employees. Understanding and valuing these differences optimizes the potential of both the individual and the firm.
HarbourVest is an equal opportunity employer.
This position will be a hybrid work arrangement, which translates to 2-3 days minimum per week in the office.
HarbourVest is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, client service focused Associate Operations Counsel. As Associate Operations Counsel, you will be responsible for drafting, reviewing, revising, and negotiating general and sophisticated corporate agreements and NDAs across all departments in the firm (domestic and international), including the following agreements: software/SAAS, cloud services, subscription, market data, engagement letters with auditors/accounting firms, consulting agreements, data protection agreements, agreements related to fund operations, and employment search agreements. You will also advise on general corporate matters as they arise which may include privacy, security, governance and secondary fund transfers.
The ideal candidate is someone who is:
- Accountable with sound judgment and the ability to take ownership of an issue and provide concise and timely advice
- Able to develop and maintain strong business relationships across the firm and contribute to cross-functional or departmental projects and teams.
- Ability to work on legal projects across the organization that may be unrelated to contracts
- Able to independently negotiate and close contracts
- Can advise on general corporate matters, including privacy
- Train internal teams on contract terms and templates applicable to their department
What you will do:
- Draft, review and negotiate general and sophisticated contracts
- Counsel internal clients on contract disputes with vendors and partner with senior leaders to design solutions and settlements
- Learn and understand the risk tolerance of each function in the firm and build and store standard contract terms to reflect the needs of each department. Work with internal stakeholders to create standard contract templates
- Remain current on applicable laws and regulations surrounding Open Source, privacy and security. Manage and complete any additional projects or legal matters as needed, including general corporate matters
- May be responsible for providing legal support for the opening of new offices in the United States and other international jurisdictions, including reviewing short term leases
- Identify and evaluation legal and business risks associated with commercial contracts and develop strategies to mitigate those risks. Have the opportunity to contribute to important and highly visible policy initiatives as well as operational matters and vendor relationships
- Help launch new vendor management system and ask as a liaison to vendor management team.
- Provide support across the organization, including quickly and effectively identifying complex legal and compliance issues and provide advice in a manner that integrates legal risk management with HarbourVest’ s business objectives
What you bring:
- A can-do attitude, as well as excellent interpersonal and client relations skill
- Exceptional research, writing, and counselling skills
- Experience in negotiating software contracts
Education Preferred
- Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent experience
Experience
- 5+ years of experience post JD at another Financial Services firm and the ability to negotiate contracts
#LI-Hybrid
What We Do
HarbourVest is an independent, global private markets firm with 40 years of experience and more than $92 billion assets under management as of December 31, 2021. Our interwoven platform provides clients access to global primary funds, secondary transactions, direct co-investments, real assets and infrastructure, and private credit.
