Dir Senior Counsel at CDW in Chicago, IL

At CDW, we make it happen, together. Trust, connection, and commitment are at the heart of how we work together to deliver for our customers. It is why we are coworkers, not just employees. Coworkers who genuinely believe in supporting our customers and one another. We collectively forge our path forward with a level of commitment that speaks to who we are and where we are headed. We are proud to share our story and Make Amazing Happen at CDW.

Job Summary

The Director, Legal Counsel is a senior commercial and technology-focused legal advisor who leads complex transactional matters and provides proactive, business-aligned legal guidance across CDW's Services & Solutions and Sales organizations. Reporting to the Vice President, Assistant General Counsel, Services & Solutions, this role combines hands-on deal execution with strategic counseling, helping the company negotiate high-value technology transactions, manage legal and compliance risk, and develop scalable contracting frameworks that enable growth and operational efficiency. The Director partners closely with business units, OEM, System Integrators and distribution partners, and global legal colleagues to support high-impact initiatives in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

What you will do

• Strategic Advisory and Business Partnership
  • Serve as a trusted legal advisor to Services & Solutions and Sales leadership, providing counsel on business initiatives, market expansion, and operational decisions
  • Collaborate proactively with stakeholders to ensure CDW builds, sells, delivers, and manages new services and solutions in a manner consistent with CDW's risk profile, financial targets, strategic goals, and contractual obligations
  • Help simplify and evolve the company's operating model and delivery processes to reduce friction for customers and drive greater efficiency in execution
  • Support M&A due diligence and integration activities for Solutions & Services acquisitions and strategic partnerships as needed
• Commercial Contracting and Negotiations
  • Lead the negotiation and structuring of complex commercial and technology transactions, including managed services agreements, professional services contracts, technology licensing arrangements, cloud solution agreements, and strategic partnership arrangements
  • Provide pragmatic, go-to-market legal advice that balances risk mitigation with business agility and competitive positioning
  • Manage legal and commercial risk in partner, vendor, and subcontractor relationships critical to services delivery
  • Handle escalated contract negotiations involving material customer relationships and significant revenue impact
  • Develop and refine standardized contract templates, playbooks, and clause libraries that support scalable and efficient commercial execution
• Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management
  • Support compliance with state, federal, and international regulations affecting services and sales across multiple jurisdictions
  • Help develop controls and strengthen governance processes that support CDW's continued transformation into a leading digital and services-led technology partner
  • Monitor evolving regulations affecting technology services, including AI governance, cybersecurity requirements, data privacy (GDPR, CCPA, sector-specific requirements), and industry-specific compliance
  • Manage IP considerations in services delivery, including customer data rights, developed solutions ownership, and third-party IP compliance
• Operational Legal Support
  • Provide ongoing legal support for services operations, including change orders, service modifications, performance issues, and customer relationship management
  • Advise on legal aspects of services staffing models, including contractor vs. employee classifications, customer site requirements, and security clearance obligations
  • Manage and resolve commercial disputes, service delivery claims, and pre-litigation matters in coordination with the broader Legal team
  • Coordinate with other Legal team members and cross-functional partners to maximize a unified, agile, customer-friendly approach
• Team Leadership and Development
  • While this role does not currently include direct reports, the Director will operate as a senior leader within the Legal team, mentoring and guiding junior attorneys and legal professionals on complex matters as needs arise
  • As the Solutions & Services business continues to grow, this role may evolve to include direct management of attorneys and legal support staff, with responsibility for hiring, performance management, and professional development
  • Collaborate effectively with peers across the Legal department and cross-functional teams to ensure consistent, high-quality legal support
• Training, Coaching, and Process Improvement
  • Build capability across the organization by providing training, coaching, and practical guidance to coworkers in Sales, Services & Solutions, and other functions on commercial risk, contract management, and regulatory requirements
  • Drive continuous improvement in legal processes and champion adoption of legal technology tools to improve contract management and risk assessment

What we expect of you

• J.D. or LL.M. from accredited law school
• 12+ years of progressive legal experience with significant focus on technology services, IT consulting, or complex commercial transactions
• Licensed to practice law in Illinois (or ability to obtain within 6 months)
• Extensive experience negotiating and structuring complex technology services agreements, including MSAs, SOWs, outsourcing agreements, licensing agreements, and SaaS/cloud agreements
• Strong understanding of managed services, professional services, and cloud services business and delivery models
• Working knowledge of data privacy regulations, cybersecurity compliance, and industry-specific requirements across multiple jurisdictions
• Experience with international services delivery and cross-border legal considerations, particularly in North America and Europe
• Demonstrated ability to operate as a strategic advisor in a fast-paced, matrixed environment, influencing outcomes and aligning legal strategy with business objectives
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance legal risk with commercial objectives
• Experience partnering with P&L-responsible business leaders and understanding the financial impact of legal decisions
• Exceptional judgment, executive presence, and ability to manage competing priorities across multiple business stakeholders

Preferred skills, experience, and qualities needed (optional)

• Experience at a major technology services company or in a top-tier international law firm technology practice
• International legal experience with multi-jurisdiction teams across Americas, Europe, and other regions
• Technology transformation leadership including AI adoption, process automation, and legal technology implementation
• Experience developing or managing contract playbooks, template libraries, and legal process automation

Pay range: $ 200,000 - $ 250,600 depending on experience and skill set Annual bonus target of 25% subject to terms and conditions of plan Benefits overview: https://cdw.benefit-info.com/ Salary ranges may be subject to geographic differentials

We make technology work so people can do great things.

CDW is a leading multi-brand provider of information technology solutions to business, government, education and healthcare customers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. A Fortune 500 company and member of the S&P 500 Index, CDW helps its customers to navigate an increasingly complex IT market and maximize return on their technology investments. Together, we unite. Together, we win. Together, we thrive.

CDW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and local law.

CDW is committed to being an AI-fluent organization As a leader, you will champion and be accountable for our vision of becoming an AI-fluent organization. We expect leaders to model curiosity, encourage responsible AI adoption, and foster a culture of continuous learning. You don’t need deep technical expertise, but you should be comfortable exploring how AI can enhance strategy, decision-making, and team performance. Your role includes guiding others in building confidence and capability with AI tools and practices, while promoting openness to experimentation and shared learning.

Additionally, CDW is committed to fostering an equitable, transparent, and respectful hiring process for all applicants. During our application process, our goal is to understand your experience, strengths, skills, and qualifications. As an AI forward company, we see AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for new ways of thinking, creating, and communicating. We encourage candidates to embrace an AI mindset, one that’s curious, adaptive, and ready to explore what’s possible. We welcome thoughtful use of AI to expand your perspective and elevate how you share your story, while ensuring your application remains rooted in your own background, judgment, and voice.

About Us

CDW is a Fortune 500 technology solutions provider that helps businesses, government, education, and healthcare organizations achieve what’s possible through technology. What makes CDW different isn’t just what we do—it’s how we do it. At CDW we act as one—building trust, speaking candidly, and working together to achieve more. We play to win—focusing on what matters most and delivering for our customers. And we think forward—staying curious, moving fast, and continuously learning. We believe meaningful work happens when people feel supported, heard, and empowered to contribute. That’s why we think of ourselves as coworkers, not just employees—working together to solve complex challenges and deliver real impact for our customers and communities.

As a full‑stack, full‑lifecycle technology partner, CDW brings deep expertise, strong relationships, and broad industry knowledge to help turn ideas into outcomes. When you join CDW, you become part of a collaborative environment where your work matters, your growth is supported, and your contributions help shape what’s next.

Together, we deliver the full promise of what technology can do. Together, we Make Amazing Happen.

CDW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and local law.