Our client, one of the fastest-growing artificial intelligence platforms transforming how global marketing teams research, create and measure their work, has exclusively engaged Solutus Legal Search to recruit a Lead Commercial Counsel, EMEA. The company recently completed a significant Series D financing at a valuation of approximately $1.8 billion and is expanding rapidly with leading global enterprises.
Reporting to the Head of Legal, this attorney will serve as the company’s lead in-house lawyer in Europe and the primary legal partner to its EMEA sales organization. The role is focused principally on commercial contracting and calls for an experienced SaaS lawyer who can independently lead sophisticated, high-volume transactions, including negotiations on customer paper, while providing practical guidance on the privacy, data, security, intellectual property and regulatory issues that arise in those deals. This is a senior individual contributor role with independent responsibility for commercial legal work across EMEA, including coordination of external legal resources.
This is an opportunity to join a lean, highly collaborative legal team at an important stage of the company’s growth. The successful candidate will have substantial autonomy, direct exposure to senior business leaders and the opportunity to build the legal infrastructure supporting European expansion. As the business grows, the role is expected to take on broader responsibility and help shape the company’s legal function across the region.
Responsibilities
- Independently lead complex, cross-border B2B SaaS negotiations with enterprise customers across EMEA, managing transactions from initial review through execution in a high-volume, fast-moving environment.
- Review, draft and negotiate customer agreements, procurement agreements, partnership and channel agreements, and bespoke strategic or business development arrangements, with significant responsibility for negotiating on customer paper.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to EMEA sales leadership, advising on deal structure, negotiation strategy, risk allocation and practical paths to closing important transactions.
- Lead cross-functional discussions involving Sales, Finance, Security, Product and other stakeholders; align teams around key issues and exercise sound judgment about when to resolve matters independently or escalate them.
- Provide commercially grounded advice on the transactional aspects of GDPR, privacy, data use, security, artificial intelligence and intellectual property as those issues affect customer and partner relationships.
- Develop and refine templates, playbooks, training, escalation frameworks and technology-enabled contracting processes that improve speed, consistency and scalability.
- Coordinate and help oversee external legal resources supporting European transactions and contribute to the development of the company’s broader EMEA legal capabilities.
- Remain responsive to shifting business priorities, including the increased pace and urgency that can arise at month-end and quarter-end.
Qualifications
- Law degree and qualification to practice in England and Wales or another relevant jurisdiction, together with the right to work in the United Kingdom.
- At least eight years of relevant legal experience, including at least five years in-house supporting B2B SaaS, enterprise software, data or artificial intelligence businesses; experience in a high-growth technology company is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to independently own and close sophisticated enterprise transactions across multiple jurisdictions, including extensive experience negotiating customer paper.
- Strong command of SaaS contracting and related commercial issues, including privacy, GDPR, security, data rights, intellectual property and emerging artificial intelligence considerations.
- Excellent commercial judgment and the confidence to make clear recommendations, prioritize material risks and help the business reach workable outcomes.
- A high-agency, hands-on approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities, move quickly and operate effectively with minimal oversight.
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with the presence and credibility to partner with senior sales leaders, customers and cross-functional stakeholders.
- A collaborative and practical working style, genuine enthusiasm for commercial deal work and an interest in using technology and AI-enabled tools to improve legal processes.
Location and Compensation
This role is based in London and is expected to work from the company’s office three days per week. The anticipated base salary is approximately $240,000 to $255,000 USD, or the GBP equivalent, plus a substantial equity grant. There may be flexibility for an exceptional candidate, and final compensation will depend on experience, qualifications and final leveling.
Solutus Legal Search has been exclusively retained for this search. Resumes submitted directly to our client will be forwarded to Solutus for review.
Skills Required
- Law degree and qualification to practice in England and Wales or another relevant jurisdiction
- Right to work in the United Kingdom
- At least eight years of relevant legal experience
- At least five years of in-house experience supporting B2B SaaS, enterprise software, data, or artificial intelligence businesses
- Experience independently owning and closing sophisticated enterprise transactions across multiple jurisdictions
- Extensive experience negotiating customer paper
- Strong command of SaaS contracting, privacy, GDPR, security, data rights, intellectual property, and artificial intelligence considerations
- Excellent commercial judgment and ability to prioritize risks and make clear recommendations
- High-agency, hands-on approach with ability to manage competing priorities and work with minimal oversight
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills
- Experience in a high-growth technology company
- Interest in using technology and AI-enabled tools to improve legal processes
What We Do
Solutus Legal Search is a premier legal search boutique firm dedicated exclusively to the permanent placement of lawyers in corporations and law firms. As strategic advisors, they provide high-end legal search and consulting services for corporate and law firm clients across all industries and seniority levels, from General Counsel to Corporate Counsel, ensuring a gold standard search experience.
