Product Counsel Senior Director

Overview

The Senior Director, Product Counsel serves as the primary legal advisor to product, engineering, and services teams, providing proactive and strategic legal counsel throughout the full product lifecycle. This role leads the responsible AI legal program, advises on product development, commercialization, and go-to-market strategies, and supports technology transactions including licensing, strategic partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Additional responsibilities include intellectual property (IP) portfolio management, open source and software composition analysis (SCA) compliance, and export control matters. The position operates with significant autonomy and drives cross-functional legal initiatives, process improvements, and compliance programs related to product and AI legal matters.

Responsibilities

• Lead the AI legal program, advising on AI-related development, training data sourcing and licensing, AI-generated output ownership, algorithmic accountability, and compliance with applicable and emerging AI regulations and frameworks globally.
• Serve as the dedicated legal partner to product management, engineering, and AI/machine learning teams, providing embedded legal support across the product development lifecycle.
• Develop, implement, and maintain product governance frameworks, including policies and processes related to AI/ML product risk, data inputs and outputs, third-party model integrations, and regulatory compliance across key markets.
• Advise on, draft, and negotiate complex technology agreements, including software license agreements, AI and data licensing arrangements, and strategic technology partnerships.
• Support and lead IP and product counsel workstreams in M&A and other strategic corporate transactions, including due diligence, risk assessment, deal structuring, and post-closing integration.
• Advise on open source software (OSS) strategy in the context of AI and product development.
• Oversee export control compliance related to software products, including encryption classification requirements, and advise on export control considerations in product development, AI deployments, and international transactions.
• Advise on IP strategy related to AI and product.
• Lead matters and workstreams across the full scope of IP and product legal functions as needed, driving cross-functional process improvements, compliance program development, and legal policy initiatives.
• Advise senior leadership on legal, IP, and product considerations in proposed acquisitions, divestitures, and investments, including AI-specific diligence and integration risk.
• Monitor, analyze, and advise on developments in AI law and regulation, data privacy, open source, and other technology-related legal areas affecting products and business; translate regulatory developments into actionable guidance.
• Develop and deliver legal training and educational resources to product, engineering, and business teams on AI governance, IP, OSS, and technology law topics to build legal literacy and scalable compliance practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Good standing with at least one State Bar.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in law firm and/or in-house legal positions, with substantial experience in intellectual property, technology transactions, and/or product counsel roles, including significant in-house experience.
• At least 5 years practicing intellectual property law in law firms and/or in-house.
• Engineering or other relevant technical degree and experience in software and/or high technology industries.
• Deep knowledge and hands-on experience with AI and machine learning legal issues, including AI governance frameworks, training data and model licensing, generative AI risks and liability, and applicable or emerging AI regulations (e.g., EU AI Act, US Executive Orders).
• Demonstrated senior leadership capability, including setting strategic direction, influencing at the executive level, and serving as a deputy and functional leader across a broad legal portfolio.
• Strong technical fluency in software, AI/ML systems, and related technologies; ability to engage substantively with engineers and product managers and translate technical concepts into legal risk analysis.
• Knowledge of relevant laws including software licensing, data protection, and export control.
• Ability to clearly articulate and defend risk analysis; critically examine business practices to ensure alignment with legal requirements; provide advice regarding business practice risk.
• Proven team player and consensus builder with a business-oriented approach to law.
• Flexible self-starter and proactive problem solver capable of working autonomously and managing significant client contact.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, with ability to present information clearly and respond to questions from executives, managers, customers, and employees.
• Diplomatic, approachable, and possessing good business and personal judgment.
• Ability to manage conflicting demands from multiple business clients in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, follow through, and meet deadlines.
• High integrity and professionalism.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary range: $164,500.00 - $222,075.00 (gross before taxes).
• Unlimited vacation time, paid holidays, and sick time.
• Health and wellness coverage options for employees and dependents.
• Life and disability insurance coverage.
• 401(k) and Roth retirement savings plans with matching contributions.
• Monthly student debt benefit program.
• Tuition reimbursement and certificate reimbursement program opportunities.
• Leadership and skills training opportunities.

Location

This position is based in the United States. Specific location details are not provided.

This employer is an equal opportunity organization committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Reasonable accommodations are provided for individuals with physical and mental disabilities upon request. Background and reference checks are part of the hiring process.

Note: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.