About the Role:

Grade Level (for internal use):

S&P Global Corporate

The Role: Legal Counsel - S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI)

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented lawyer to join our legal team focusing on commercial contracts.  The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in drafting and negotiating data licensing IP licensing and services agreements.

The legal counsel for the S&P DJI business in Kuala Lumpur shall be responsible for: (i) reviewing, drafting and negotiating complex license and services transactions in a fast-paced corporate environment; (ii) working with other team members to advise the S&P DJI business on legal risks associated with such transactions; (iii) producing recommendations, guidelines, template materials and training as necessary, to equip the sales teams with appropriate legal knowledge and tools to support the business.  This position requires a lawyer with the ability to understand commercial arrangements and applicable regulatory frameworks.  The candidate will be required to assist with managing the demands of the company’s sales organization and to ensure that the company’s intellectual property rights are protected and liability exposure is mitigated.

The candidate should be familiar with the financial services industry.  Familiarity with financial products (including derivatives and structured products) and knowledge of related financial services regulations would be beneficial (UCITS, FCA rules, MIFID, benchmark regulations, data protection and AML). 

Essential Competencies / Main Responsibilities:

• Draft and negotiate a variety of agreements such as, customer agreements for S&P DJI’s products and services (including data, trademark (index licensing), custom index, research, advisory and consulting). In addition, handle related and ancillary agreements, including confidentiality, marketing and click agreements.
• Manage and mitigate the risks of dispute and statutory breach by the company. Provide legal support for resolution of day-to-day matters related to the agreements, including interpretation of contracts (intellectual property and data usage rights, post-termination obligations / rights, audit rights, etc.). Provide training/guidance to the sales organization and business on contractual obligations, intellectual property protection and regulatory matters.
• Develop, maintain and update boilerplate terms and standard forms. Address tax and regulatory affairs/compliance issues as required.
• Provide an active role in maintaining and communicating company policies and procedures to the business. Ensure proper cataloguing of contract information in the Contracts Database.
• Special projects as assigned by manager. Involvement/leadership in a variety of projects such as disputes, acquisitions, divestitures and integration.

Additional responsibilities:

• From time to time instruct and manage outside counsel on specific legal matters, as necessary.
• Assist the business on response to requests for proposal.
• Provide guidance with respect to and ensure compliance with applicable S&P Global Corporate policies, including policy regarding licensing, branding and privacy.
• Understanding of S&P DJI’s businesses and business models and licensing approaches. Ability to recognize legal vs business considerations.
• Ability to recognize and accommodate the customer’s needs while adequately protecting S&P DJI’s interests and mitigate liability.
• The contracts for these products and services range from the fairly standardized to the highly customized. Ability to recognize trends and precedent in S&P DJI’s legal and business positions taken.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Admitted to practice law in Malaysia or Singapore (or the United Kingdom, Australia or United States). 
• At least 5 years post qualification experience in financial services / commercial IP licensing contract law.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, including the ability to influence others who are not in the same line of authority.
• Excellent presentation, writing and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and listening skills with internal/external audiences.
• Self-motivated and well organized with the ability to handle multiple, high-priority projects while attending to details; able to prioritize tasks and work well under pressure.
• Hands-on, energetic and a motivated self-starter.
• Professional demeanor, team player, ability to interface effectively with internal/external parties.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Working Shift: 9am-5pm Singapore Time

What’s In It For You?

Our Purpose:

Progress is not a self-starter. It requires a catalyst to be set in motion. Information, imagination, people, technology–the right combination can unlock possibility and change the world.

Our world is in transition and getting more complex by the day. We push past expected observations and seek out new levels of understanding so that we can help companies, governments and individuals make an impact on tomorrow. At S&P Global we transform data into Essential Intelligence®, pinpointing risks and opening possibilities. We Accelerate Progress.

Our People:

We're more than 35,000 strong worldwide—so we're able to understand nuances while having a broad perspective. Our team is driven by curiosity and a shared belief that Essential Intelligence can help build a more prosperous future for us all.

From finding new ways to measure sustainability to analyzing energy transition across the supply chain to building workflow solutions that make it easy to tap into insight and apply it. We are changing the way people see things and empowering them to make an impact on the world we live in. We’re committed to a more equitable future and to helping our customers find new, sustainable ways of doing business. We’re constantly seeking new solutions that have progress in mind. Join us and help create the critical insights that truly make a difference.

Our Values:
 

Integrity, Discovery, Partnership

At S&P Global, we focus on Powering Global Markets. Throughout our history, the world's leading organizations have relied on us for the Essential Intelligence they need to make confident decisions about the road ahead. We start with a foundation of integrity in all we do, bring a spirit of discovery to our work, and collaborate in close partnership with each other and our customers to achieve shared goals.

Benefits:

We take care of you, so you can take care of business. We care about our people. That’s why we provide everything you—and your career—need to thrive at S&P Global.

Our benefits include: 

• Health & Wellness: Health care coverage designed for the mind and body.

• Flexible Downtime: Generous time off helps keep you energized for your time on.

• Continuous Learning: Access a wealth of resources to grow your career and learn valuable new skills.

• Invest in Your Future: Secure your financial future through competitive pay, retirement planning, a continuing education program with a company-matched student loan contribution, and financial wellness programs.

• Family Friendly Perks: It’s not just about you. S&P Global has perks for your partners and little ones, too, with some best-in class benefits for families.

• Beyond the Basics: From retail discounts to referral incentive awards—small perks can make a big difference.

For more information on benefits by country visit: https://spgbenefits.com/benefit-summaries

Global Hiring and Opportunity at S&P Global:

At S&P Global, we are committed to fostering a connected and engaged workplace where all individuals have access to opportunities based on their skills, experience, and contributions. Our hiring practices emphasize fairness, transparency, and merit, ensuring that we attract and retain top talent. By valuing different perspectives and promoting a culture of respect and collaboration, we drive innovation and power global markets.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Equal Opportunity Employer

S&P Global is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military veteran status, unemployment status, or any other status protected by law.  Only electronic job submissions will be considered for employment.  

If you need an accommodation during the application process due to a disability, please send an email to: [email protected] and your request will be forwarded to the appropriate person.  
 
US Candidates Only:  The EEO is the Law Poster http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf describes discrimination protections under federal law.  Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision - https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------------