Overview
A technology-focused organization is seeking a Senior Counsel, Commercial Legal to provide expert legal advice on complex commercial transactions, primarily customer-facing, across North America. This remote-friendly role requires a qualified attorney with strong transactional and business experience, ideally with in-house legal experience in the software and multiplatform technology sector (including on-premises, native SaaS, and hybrid solutions). The role involves working independently in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment and utilizing AI tools as part of daily legal responsibilities.
Responsibilities
Strategic Legal Support
- Advise sales executives, senior leaders, and cross-functional teams on legal risk, compliance, and business strategy aligned with company standards and approved playbooks.
- Provide legal support for complex sales transactions across multiple product lines and platforms (native SaaS, hybrid, on-premises) in both direct and indirect formats.
- Clearly communicate complex legal concepts and risks internally and externally.
- Anticipate and resolve potential conflicts or objections in collaboration with peers or senior staff.
- Identify and lead training and enablement initiatives for sales and internal business partners to improve efficiency and transaction speed.
Contracting & Risk Management
- Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of commercial agreements including SaaS, licensing, professional services, NDAs, Data Processing Agreements, and Business Associate Agreements.
- Use advanced contract negotiation skills and industry knowledge to identify opportunities for improving contract templates.
- Lead benchmarking and analysis of customer interactions to update playbooks and processes, streamlining negotiations and enhancing business outcomes.
- Collaborate with business stakeholders to facilitate deal velocity while managing legal and commercial risk according to company standards.
- Resolve escalated legal issues with minimal supervision and manage outside counsel as needed.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Act as a subject matter expert for assigned areas, providing strategic analysis and anticipating legal risks.
- Partner with teams such as Deal Desk, Revenue Operations, IT, and Product Engineering to ensure compliance and support deal velocity.
Process & Policy Improvement
- Lead initiatives to improve legal workflows and compliance processes.
- Recommend best practices for internal policy development and governance frameworks.
Requirements
- Licensed attorney admitted to practice in one or more U.S. states, in good standing with the relevant state Bar(s).
- Minimum of 7 years of in-house counsel experience; law firm experience is helpful but not required.
- Extensive experience in the software licensing industry, including various licensing models, enterprise transactions, on-premises licensing, SaaS/cloud offerings, and AI.
- Working knowledge of data privacy, security requirements, and applicable laws and regulations.
- Familiarity with best practice internal controls, procedures, risk surveillance, dispute management, and escalation.
- Understanding of revenue recognition rules and ability to ensure agreements comply with these rules and company policies.
- Excellent oral and written communication, presentation, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
- Proven ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly and build credibility at all organizational levels.
- Strong analytical, time management, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Personal Qualifications
- Strong ethical standards and commitment to professional responsibility.
- Confident, independent, highly motivated, and able to accept significant responsibility.
- Positive attitude and self-starter.
- Ability to excel in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
- Skilled at managing competing priorities and working independently on diverse issues and projects under tight deadlines.
- Collaborative team player with flexibility and a good sense of humor.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range in the United States: $180,000 - $200,000.
- Potential eligibility for additional compensation such as bonuses.
- Access to a comprehensive benefits package including medical, retirement, financial, wellness, time off, and employee discounts (subject to eligibility).
- Final compensation will be determined based on relevant experience, education, certifications, skills, and geographic location.
Location
- This is a remote-friendly position based in the United States.
Additional Information
- Employment consideration will comply with applicable fair chance hiring ordinances.
- The role involves access to software/technology subject to U.S. export controls; employment is contingent upon compliance with these regulations.