Senior Legal Counsel - Merchandise Contracting

At CVS Health, we're building a world of health around every consumer and surrounding ourselves with dedicated colleagues who are passionate about transforming health care.As the nation's leading health solutions company, we reach millions of Americans through our local presence, digital channels and more than 300,000 purpose-driven colleagues - caring for people where, when and how they choose in a way that is uniquely more connected, more convenient and more compassionate. And we do it all with heart, each and every day.Position Summary

The Senior Counsel, Merchandise Contracting, provides expert legal counsel and leadership in support of CVS Health's Pharmacy Consumer Wellness ("PCW") merchandise business. As Senior Counsel for Merchandise Contracting, you will provide strategic legal advice and counsel to internal business partners across a range of retail initiatives. This role is responsible for negotiating, drafting, and managing complex commercial contracts with suppliers, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and regulatory standards. The Senior Counsel partners closely with business leaders, category managers, and cross-functional teams to enable innovation, manage risk, and drive process improvement in merchandise contracting. "You will take a lead role in optimizing contract intake, review, and management systems, and will champion the adoption of merchandise supplier agreements. Success in this role requires building a deep understanding of the operational systems relevant to the PCW and Merchandising teams, and maintaining strong, positive relationships with clients at all levels.To be successful in this role, you will possess:

• Superior writing and communication skills, exceptional organizational skills, and strong attention to detail.
• The ability to work collaboratively in a large, complex corporate structure, and to work sensitively with confidential matters.
• Independent work style and ability to anticipate issues and create and implement methods for optimizing results and minimizing risks.
• Initiative, drive and self-confidence.
• Ability to develop a deep understanding of the business and operational goals of assigned internal clients and work diligently to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients at all levels of the organization.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment and successfully manage many projects -- whether large or small, complex or simple -- simultaneously.

Major Responsibilities:Contracting-Merchandise supplier, as well as other Merch initiatives as required

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including complex supplier contracts, licensing arrangements, and service agreements.
• Collaborate with category managers, finance, and compliance teams to structure deals that support business strategy while mitigating legal and operational risks.
• Provide ongoing training and guidance to business partners on legal processes and best practices for contract management.
• Lead efforts to streamline contracting processes, develop template agreements, and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce cycle times.
• Drive business partner engagement to utilize standardized agreements and advocate for best practices in contracting.

Regulatory and General Support

• Advise internal stakeholders on legal, regulatory, and business issues related to merchandise contracts, supplier agreements, and initiatives.
• Advise on changes in applicable retail and healthcare laws and regulations, ensuring compliance and timely communication of relevant updates to stakeholders.
• Provide legal expertise on Merch initiatives, projects and/or specialized legal matters affecting the Merch team and perform special research projects.

Dispute Resolution

• Advise clients with respect to various vendor demand letters and assist, as requested, with pre-litigation dispute resolution;
• Review and advise on legal issues associated with contract terminations

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited institution required; Bar admission in good standing
• 8+ years legal experience
• Expert knowledge of and experience with vendor contracting required;
• Experience advising on healthcare or retail issues;
• Demonstrated business judgment and acumen required;
• Superior oral and written communication skills required;
• High level of interpersonal skills and ability to manage multiple client areas required;
• Superior problem-solving skills required

Education

J.D.Pay Range

The typical pay range for this role is:$175,100.00 - $334,750.00

This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors. This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above. This position also includes an award target in the company's equity award program.Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong.Great benefits for great peopleWe take pride in our comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits - investing in the physical, emotional and financial wellness of our colleagues and their families to help them be the healthiest they can be. In addition to our competitive wages, our great benefits include:

• Affordable medical plan options, a 401(k) plan (including matching company contributions), and an employee stock purchase plan.
• No-cost programs for all colleagues including wellness screenings, tobacco cessation and weight management programs, confidential counseling and financial coaching.
• Benefit solutions that address the different needs and preferences of our colleagues including paid time off, flexible work schedules, family leave, dependent care resources, colleague assistance programs, tuition assistance, retiree medical access and many other benefits depending on eligibility.

For more information, visit https://jobs.cvshealth.com/us/en/benefitsWe anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: 11/30/2025Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.

Client-provided location(s): Woonsocket, RI

Job ID: CVS-R0760740

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

Posted: 2025-11-06T19:24:07