Principal Legal Counsel, Global Commercial Contracts

Overview

This role provides comprehensive legal support for global client contracting within the data center sector, with a focus on complex commercial leases, service agreements, and triple net leases. Work is performed independently in areas of core competency and is reviewed by the Director at critical points.

Responsibilities

• Structure, review, and negotiate commercial agreements across all regions, including commercial lease documents, triple net leases, master service agreements, sales orders, change orders, and other agreements involving complex and evolving issues.
• Manage risk and ensure business and compliance needs are accurately reflected in client agreement(s).
• Conduct legal analysis of client contractual issues, including terms across multiple regions, clients, and contracts.
• Respond in a timely manner to inquiries from internal departments regarding contractual obligations and commitments, ensuring issues are addressed efficiently and promptly.
• Advise company management on complex client matters, delivering concise and clear messages and adapting communication style to different audiences, including potential risks in contractual, regulatory, compliance, financial, and legal areas.
• Maintain professional interaction with clients, internal departments, and corporate affiliates worldwide.
• Support multiple internal client groups promptly; assist with development and implementation of contract procedures and templates to improve operational efficiency.

Requirements

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; English fluency (written and verbal) required.
• Significant experience in data center client contracting and commercial leasing.
• Strong experience in global commercial contracting, including drafting, understanding terms, and negotiating.
• Experience working on gigawatt campus projects.
• Advanced experience and in-depth professional knowledge to develop, resolve, and assess complex issues in creative ways; may suggest approach variations with consultation at times.
• Conceptual thinking to understand complex issues and their implications.
• Developed business acumen with the ability to combine legal and business analysis and judgment in a practical manner.
• Ability to advise key stakeholders outside one’s own area of expertise on complex matters, using persuasion and adapting style to differing audiences.
• Ability to work independently in core areas of competency; reviewed by the Director at critical points.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, prioritize multiple business objectives, and meet deadlines and milestones.
• Self-starter with excellent time management and organization; ability to manage stress in a fast-paced environment while producing timely, accurate, consistent, and positive results.
• Ability to work well both independently and as part of a highly collaborative team.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and strong proofreading skills.

Academic Qualifications & Certifications

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Current member in good standing with a state bar.

Required Experience

• Minimum of eight (8) years or more of relevant legal experience, including a mix of corporate law firm and in-house work.
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience as in-house counsel in the data center sector.
• Work across multiple global time zones (including but not limited to India, Europe, South Africa, USA, Japan) is required, including work outside of normal work hours.

Work Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Primarily sitting, with some walking, standing, and bending.
• Able to hear and speak into a telephone.
• Close visual work on a computer terminal.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a keyboard, mouse, and other technical instruments.
• Able to lift and carry up to 20 lbs.
• Standard remote office environment; work from a remote location with stable internet connection.
• Extensive daily usage of workstation/computer and telephone.
• Responsible for carrying a cell phone and providing 24x7 support as needed.
• Occasional travel (domestic and globally), approximately 10% of the time.

Compensation & Benefits

• Remote role.
• Base salary range: $227,200–$307,400 (for roles residing in the US).
• Annual bonus for all regular full-time employees; payout depends on individual and company performance.
• Paid time-off.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Life and supplemental insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Flexible spending account.
• 401k retirement plan.
• Monthly stipend provided to cover expenses associated with working remotely and use of a personal mobile device, if applicable.
• For roles in other countries, competitive pay and benefit levels are shared during the interview process.

Location

• Remote position.
• Requires reliable internet connection and electricity.