Contract Specialist-- Investment Management

VOYA INDIA Overview VOYA INDIA, formerly known as VFI SLK, is a technology-driven, business process transformation company, driving the evolution of the financial services customer experience through the art of technology, innovation, and human creativity. As a subsidiary of Voya Financial Inc, we are dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions to Voya's Health (employee benefits), Wealth (Retirement) and Investment Management Business. Our focus lies in crafting inventive customer-centric solutions by digitizing, automating, and optimizing technology and business processes. We are committed to fostering an environment that celebrates learning, growth and inclusivity while developing and deploying innovative and impactful solutions for Voya Financial Inc. More information is available at : - Position Summary We are seeking a highly motivated and detail oriented to join our Market Data Services team. The candidate will work directly with the VP, Business Management - Globalization and will be responsible for overseeing and executing the end-to-end contract lifecycle for MDS, providing visibility on deliverables and obligations. Managing the timeline of renewal dates, working with internal service owners to determine if services are to be renewed, changed, or cancelled, develop negotiation strategies & execute, analyze contract terms & conditions, and coordinate financial approvals. Additionally, this leader will provide transparency over all MDS contracts, understand new vendor offerings, subject matter expertise on critical T&Cs (first review ahead of legal), build library of executed agreements, and communication of updated usage terms to end users. This role will also support strategic and day-to-day initiatives related to contract and financial management, risk oversight, and governance. The leader in this role will also be responsible for driving cross-functional improvement efforts and problem solving, with a focus on delivering measurable value to the business. This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced professional to take a leading role at the center of the operational and data services of a growing Investment Management firm. The leader in this role will be expected to work closely with vendors, service users, and department heads across the organization and often act as a liaison between vendors and business teams. This opportunity provides a unique and diverse vantage be a part of a team at the core of a large investment management firm with a growing global footprint. Key Responsibilities - Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) - Manage the full contract lifecycle from initial request and drafting through negotiation, execution, compliance, amendments, renewal, and termination. - Draft, review, and finalize a variety of commercial agreements, including Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Statements of Work (SOWs), Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Vendor Agreements, and Purchase Orders. - Ensure all contractual terms are clear, unambiguous, and accurately reflect negotiated agreements and business intent. - Negotiation and Risk Mitigation - Lead and participate in contract negotiations with external clients, vendors, and partners, ensuring favorable terms and conditions for the company. - Identify, assess, and mitigate contractual risks throughout the contract term. - Collaborate with the Legal Department to address complex legal issues and ensure contracts are legally sound and compliant with local, state, and federal regulations. - Compliance and Performance Monitoring - Monitor contract performance to ensure all parties fulfill their contractual obligations, deliverables, and milestones. - Establish and maintain a systematic process for tracking key contract dates, including expiration, renewal windows, and notification requirements, and execute timely action. - Conduct regular internal audits of contract terms and execution processes to ensure adherence to company policies and governance standards. - System and Stakeholder Management - Serve as the primary point of contact for contractual queries for stakeholders - Bridge the gap between Legal team and vendor ensuring smooth operations - Maintain the centralized contract repository (Contract Lifecycle Management system) to ensure data accuracy, document security, and easy retrieval. - Develop and implement standardized contract templates, processes, and policies to improve efficiency and reduce the time-to-signature. - Generate reports and provide analysis to senior management on contract status, financial performance, and risk exposure. - Set standards for internal documentation, reporting calendars, and governance materials. - Develop executive reporting packages and presentations for senior leadership. - Monitor industry and market trends in vendor services. - Spearhead special projects related to process improvements, automation, and data management. - Lead day-to-day missions that involve fact-finding, problem solving, and analysis of information to "connect the dots" to support decision making. - Coach and develop junior members of the team. Qualifications Successful candidates will be articulate and possess demonstrated capabilities; they will be impressive in their inter-personal effectiveness and accomplishments. A key differentiator will be their ability to understand and operate successfully in a complex, heavily matrixed corporate environment. The role requires a sense of urgency, passion for results, and personal accountability for achievement. The ideal candidate will have: - Bachelor's degree in business administration, Legal Studies, Finance, or a related field. - 3-8 years of experience in Investment Management vendor contract management, with knowledge of key Market Data Vendors (including but not limited to Bloomberg, FactSet, LSEG, S&P, Moody's, MSCI, Morningstar, etc.). - Demonstrated expertise in contract drafting, terminology, negotiation, and legal interpretation. - Highly organized with a strong attention to detail and ability to handle multiple deliverables concurrently. - Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build rapport with internal and external stakeholders. - A high level of responsiveness to ad-hoc requests where flexibility, collaboration, and adaptability are important. - Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and across all organizational levels. - Track record of coaching and developing junior team members. - An ability to review and synthesize information and form independent judgments / make recommendations. - Knowledge of Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) software and Microsoft Office Suite is a plus.