Senior Corporate Counsel, Commercial Transactions

Your work days are brighter here.

At Workday, it all began with a conversation over breakfast. When our founders met at a sunny California diner, they came up with an idea to revolutionize the enterprise software market. And when we began to rise, one thing that really set us apart was our culture. A culture which was driven by our value of putting our people first. And ever since, the happiness, development, and contribution of every Workmate is central to who we are. Our Workmates believe a healthy employee-centric, collaborative culture is the essential mix of ingredients for success in business. That’s why we look after our people, communities and the planet while still being profitable. Feel encouraged to shine, however that manifests: you don’t need to hide who you are. You can feel the energy and the passion, it's what makes us unique. Inspired to make a brighter work day for all and transform with us to the next stage of our growth journey? Bring your brightest version of you and have a brighter work day here.

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About the Team

The Customer Base GTM legal team provides transactional counsel and support for our business teams working with Workday’s existing customers. We partner with the broader Workday team to drive growth, improve customer experience, and scale with the growth of the broader business we support.

About the Role

This Senior Corporate Counsel, Commercial Transactions will be one of the GTM Customer Base attorneys supporting a highly valued and rapidly growing business function focused on renewal and expansion transactions for Workday’s largest and most strategic customers, as well as customer lifecycle management from a GTM legal perspective. This lawyer’s primary responsibility will be to support multiple sales teams while partnering effectively with deals management, sales operations, services, product, finance and contract operations.

Responsibilities

• Drive valuable technology transactions, which will include negotiation with customers and drafting of subscription, data processing and professional services agreements, assignments, amendments, and add on transactions

• Provide proactive strategic advice and guidance to internal teams regarding business and legal issues and risks and support our sales team with bringing deals to a timely close

• Assist in implementing legal efficiencies to support the customer base business unit and improve our contract processes and operations in that segment

• Help build and improve contract templates and negotiation playbooks and assist with providing internal training to sales, sales operations, contract operations, and the broader GTM legal team on how we build a frictionless customer contract experience

About You

Basic Qualifications

• J.D. Degree (or foreign equivalent) and membership in at least 1 state bar

• 7+ years of experience as a practicing attorney in a law firm or in-house/public sector legal department

• CIPP/E Certification and/or deep understanding of sophisticated global data privacy laws and principles
   

Other Qualifications

• Excellent contract negotiation and drafting skills, comfortable and adept at teaming with leadership in fast paced customer facing transactions, preferably with enterprise software/SaaS experience

• Experience negotiating contracts in the public sector, specifically with state and local government and higher education entities

• Ability to influence, advise, and advocate for the business’ interests

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, enabling effective communication with legal and non-legal audiences

• Exercises outstanding judgment and in tune with sophisticated needs of the business to advise clients in an effective and creative manner

• Nurtures internal and external relationships and leads project collaboration with cross-functional networks

• Uses strategic focus, critical thinking and a problem solving approach

• Proactively identifies and analyzes legal risks and exercises good judgment and effective techniques to reach solutions with little guidance

• Manages legal projects using strong organizational and project management skills; uses lean principles for process improvements

• Willingness and aptitude to learn and utilize new technologies, including artificial intelligence tools, to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in legal tasks such as contract review, legal research, and process improvement.

• Great teammate with a sense of humor!

Workday Pay Transparency Statement

The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below.  Workday pay ranges vary based on work location. As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Recruiters can share more detail during the hiring process. Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things. For more information regarding Workday’s comprehensive benefits, please click here.

Primary Location: USA.IL.Chicago

Primary Location Base Pay Range: $176,400 USD - $264,600 USD

Additional US Location(s) Base Pay Range: $159,600 USD - $283,600 USD

If performed in Colorado, the pay range for this job is $168,000 - $252,000 USD based on min and max pay range for that role if performed in CO.

04/22/2025

Our Approach to Flexible Work
 

With Flex Work, we’re combining the best of both worlds: in-person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in-office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you'll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together. Those in our remote "home office" roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter.

Pursuant to applicable Fair Chance law, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Workday is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

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