Counsel, Commercial Real Estate & Corporate Transactions

Citizens Bank, N.A.; Johnston (RI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Citizens Bank is seeking an experienced attorney for its Procurement Legal Team in Rhode Island. The role focuses on advising internal partners on complex commercial real estate matters and third-party vendor agreements, balancing risk with business goals.

You will draft and negotiate leases, purchase agreements, NDAs, and complex contracts, ensuring privacy, data protection, IP, and risk considerations are addressed. Hybrid work is available.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 3–5+ years of experience with commercial real estate matters and vendor or similar contracts in a large financial services org or regulated setting.
• Experience drafting and negotiating commercial real estate agreements and complex vendor or commercial contracts.
• Strong understanding of indemnification, privacy/data protection, IP, and risk management.
• Excellent verbal, written, analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize work, manage multiple matters, and interact with senior management.

Responsibilities

• Draft, negotiate, and execute commercial real estate agreements, including leases, purchase agreements, subordination, NDAs, and licenses.
• Provide legal counsel to Real Estate and Facilities on commercial real estate matters.
• Draft, negotiate, and execute complex vendor and commercial agreements.
• Advise business lines on indemnification, privacy, IP, and risk management aspects of contracts.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to identify risks and devise practical solutions.
• Manage multiple matters concurrently with quality and deadlines.

Skills

Strong negotiation skills

Excellent verbal and written comms

Ability to manage multiple matters

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Job description

Description

The Citizens Bank Legal Department has an opening for an experienced, highly motivated, and results-oriented attorney with strong professional credentials to join its Procurement Legal Team. The Procurement Legal Team provides legal advice to Citizens Bank and its affiliated entities on commercial real estate matters and high-impact commercial engagements with third-party service providers.

This position will serve as a trusted legal advisor to internal business partners, providing practical, risk-aware guidance on complex transactions while helping the organization achieve its business objectives.

Primary responsibilities include

• Draft, negotiate, and execute commercial real estate agreements, including retail and commercial leases, purchase and sale agreements, subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreements, and license agreements.
• Provide legal advice and counsel to the Real Estate and Facilities team regarding commercial real estate matters.
• Draft, negotiate, and execute complex vendor and commercial agreements.
• Advise business lines on all aspects of vendor and commercial agreements, including indemnification, privacy and data protection, intellectual property, and general risk management.
• Partner effectively with internal stakeholders to identify legal and business risks and develop practical solutions.
• Manage multiple matters concurrently while maintaining appropriate attention to quality, responsiveness, and established deadlines.

Qualifications, Education, Certifications and/or Other Professional Credentials

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license and good standing to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 3-5+ years of experience with commercial real estate matters and vendor or similar commercial contracts within the legal department of a large financial services organization, another highly regulated company, or a law firm with comparable experience.
• Experience drafting and negotiating commercial real estate agreements and complex vendor or commercial contracts.
• Strong understanding of contractual risk areas, including indemnification, privacy and data protection, intellectual property, and general risk management.
• Excellent verbal, written, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to thoughtfully prioritize work, concurrently manage multiple matters, and effectively interact with senior management and business partners.
• Professional presence and the ability to provide clear, practical, and business-oriented legal advice.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate as part of a team while independently managing matters through completion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience advising a financial services organization or another highly regulated company.
• Experience supporting corporate real estate, facilities, procurement, sourcing, or third-party vendor management functions.
• Familiarity with legal and regulatory considerations affecting financial institutions and third-party relationships.

Hours & Work Schedule

• Hours per Week: 40
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday – Hybrid for 4-days in office

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Equal Employment Opportunity

Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.