Head of Legal

Overview

The organization is seeking a practical, hands-on Head of Legal to serve as the primary in-house legal resource. This role offers flexibility to work fully remote or in a hybrid capacity, if local to Westport, CT.

This position provides day-to-day counsel across commercial agreements, data privacy, employment issues, corporate matters, and regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate balances prudent risk management with responsive, solutions-oriented support for a growing global business.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on legal support and practical strategic counsel to senior leadership, Human Resources, and business leaders.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial agreements, including:
  • Master Services Agreements
  • Statements of Work
  • Data Protection and Transfer Agreements
  • Non-Disclosure Agreements
  • Vendor agreements
  • Independent contractor agreements
  • Partnership and reseller agreements
  • Leases and other corporate documents
• Advise on contract law, data privacy, employment matters, corporate law, and other legal/regulatory considerations affecting operations in the United States and abroad.
• Identify and advise on implications of information security matters arising from client agreements, vendor relationships, security incidents, business processes, and applicable laws, in partnership with IT and business leaders.
• Review new vendors, technologies, data uses, and business initiatives for legal, contractual, privacy, and regulatory risk; partner with IT on security and technical considerations.
• Advise colleagues across the organization in plain language on how to ensure compliance with contractual and legal obligations.
• Manage notifications and oversee data preservation related to potential information security incidents and/or subpoenas.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments and help colleagues implement processes for complying with new obligations.
• Maintain and update corporate records, registrations, board resolutions, legal documentation, and contract requirements.
• Manage relationships with U.S. and international outside counsel; engage specialized counsel as needed for litigation, employment, intellectual property, privacy, real estate, and other matters.
• Establish scalable legal processes that support timely, accurate, and responsive service to clients and colleagues.
• Support strategic initiatives, acquisitions, partnerships, and other corporate transactions as needed.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar (preferably CT or NY).
• 8+ years of relevant legal experience, with a background in commercial, privacy, employment, corporate, or related legal disciplines.
• Significant experience drafting and negotiating sophisticated commercial agreements.
• Strong knowledge of contract law and the global data privacy regulatory environment, with familiarity with employment law and corporate law.
• Excellent negotiation, issue-spotting, judgment, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical business guidance.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt quickly in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Experience managing outside counsel and partnering effectively with stakeholders at all levels of an organization.
• Entrepreneurial, proactive, and flexible, with the ability to operate as a hands-on department of one while establishing scalable legal processes.
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), Salesforce, and Trello.
• Alignment with the organization’s core values.

Compensation & Benefits

• The base range of compensation for this role is $200,000 - $220,000.
• Compensation for this position is adjusted based on skill, effort, responsibility, education, training, credentials, geographic location, working conditions and/or experience.

Location

• Fully remote option, or hybrid/onsite if local to Westport, CT.