Director of Legal and Compliance

Director of Legal & Compliance

Company: Synquery

Location: Nashville, TN (on-site)

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Employment Type: Full-Time

Synquery is an early-stage expert network company using AI to transform how businesses access expertise at scale. We are a fast-growing, entrepreneurial company building a next generation expert network. We're looking for a hands-on legal leader who wants to help shape not just our compliance posture, but how the company operates and grows.

Synquery is seeking a Director of Legal & Compliance to build and lead the company's legal and compliance function. This is a rare opportunity for an entrepreneurial-minded lawyer to join a company at a formative stage, working directly with the CEO to establish the frameworks, policies, and agreements that will govern how Synquery operates as it scales. You will wear multiple hats — advisor, negotiator, program-builder, and strategic partner to leadership — in an environment where your decisions will have immediate impact.

• Lead compliance strategy: Design, implement, and manage comprehensive compliance programs covering Synquery's internal personnel as well as the network of experts who engage with the platform.

• Build the compliance infrastructure: Establish policies, training, and monitoring processes to ensure adherence to relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards (e.g., expert network compliance norms, confidentiality and information barriers, data privacy).

• Negotiate key agreements: Draft, review, and negotiate client agreements, partner agreements, expert agreements, vendor contracts, and other core business documents.

• Manage legal risk: Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and regulatory risks across the business, including those specific to AI-enabled products and services.

• Advise leadership: Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and broader leadership team on legal, regulatory, and compliance matters affecting business strategy and operations.

• Shape company policy: Help define internal governance practices, employment policies, and operational procedures as the company scales.

• Manage outside counsel: Engage and coordinate with external law firms on specialized matters as needed, while keeping day-to-day legal work in-house.

• Support corporate matters: Assist with corporate governance, entity management, and other general corporate legal needs as they arise.

• J.D.: from an accredited law school; active bar membership in good standing.

• 3+ years: of experience as a corporate lawyer or in-house counsel, ideally with exposure to contract negotiation and compliance programs.

• Strong drafting and negotiation skills across commercial agreements (client, partner, and vendor contracts).

• Familiarity with compliance frameworks relevant to regulated information services, data privacy, or expert networks (preferred, not required).

• A builder's mindset — comfortable creating structure and process.

• Sound judgment and the ability to balance legal risk with business pragmatism in a fast-moving environment.

• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to advise senior leadership directly.

• Self-starter energy: this role has significant autonomy and will require someone who is comfortable defining their own scope as the company's needs evolve.

• Direct line to the CEO and a real seat at the table in shaping company strategy.

• The chance to build a legal and compliance function.

• Competitive salary, meaningful equity, and growth potential at an early-stage company positioned in a large and expanding market.

• A collaborative, fast-paced culture where impact is immediate and visible.

Note: This role can be flexible between part-time and full-time, structured around the scope of responsibilities the candidate takes on.

Synquery is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.