Senior Counsel

Introduction

The Optimizely Legal team has a mission to serve as a trusted business partner in support of Optimizely's software sales revenue, as well as being entrusted with the responsiblity of being a lead manager in the Company's risk management. We strive to apply both legal acumen and business judgment to provide sound, practical legal decisions to all functions throughout the organization. 

As a more senior and experienced member of the Legal Team, you will collaborate with internal clients across many lines of business to understand and assess legal and business risks and make sound decisions under tight deadlines. You will have the opportunity to play a meaningful role  in Optimizely and our customers' growth and mission.

As Senior Counsel,  you are responsible for delivery of legal services within your Region under the direction and management of your Regional Manager, including on assigned  projects. Your primary area of responsibility is legal support of our internal clients in a high-growth and dynamic SaaS, PaaS and Services company, and you will bring your experience in developing internal relationships, and contributing to contribute to various cross-Company simplification initiatives; and in some cases leading those initiatives. You will be a mentor to junior counsel, and emerging Team talent. You will continue to develop being a trusted advisor across the Company to Finance, Product, Engineering, Go-To-Market, Sales and Deal Operations, Customer Success, Partner Organisation, and Marketing & Communications, and further develop your  experience in support of the Company's strategic vision. You will develop a strong working relationship with your Regional Manager, and support the General Counsel's vision for the Team. 

Job Responsibilities

• Primary contribution to the business - recognized senior lawyer on more complex contracts and legal issues in support of Sales and revenue;
• Lead legal on more complex customer contracts, including Enterprise and non-Optimizely paper, using demonstrated legal expertise and deal experience and applying [specialist professional] more experienced knowledge to deliver high quality outcomes, and support Sales in closing customer contracts efficiently and effectively; 
• Actively involved in the Simplification  - in Legal and across Optimizely - and leads certain initiatives
• Develops regional personal data privacy expertise  - in support of DPA negotiations and other initiatives; 
• Develops specialist areas in support of Legal;
• Has a strong knowledge Optimizely's Product suite - and can demonstrate a functional and technical understanding;
• Strong understanding of the role of the CISO and functions of Compliance, and is a trusted partner;
• Strong understanding of important RevRec principles and rules;
• Leads an assigned non-revenue area of legal support for Legal:
• Contributes in cross-functional projects, and resolves complex issues; 
• Involved as a senior lawyer in Legal's strategic projects, and and leading and managing where assigned;
• Represents Legal internally and externally on specific subject matters;  
• Continue  to develop strong relationships with key internal stakeholders and customers;
• Very effective contract negotiator, and with very strong drafting skils and closing-support skills;
• Ability to understand and resolve complex cross-functional issues in customer contact neogotiations; 
• Ability to work independently and work as part of a team;
• Communicates in a timley manner, clearly, and conveys processes and policies in a respectful and appropriate manner, and provides constructive feedback as necessary and appropriate;
• A role model for junior counsel;
• Embraces and promotes Optimizely's recognised Behaviours; 

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 5 years of experience at a top-tier law firm or in-house legal department - and prior tech experience is a strong plus;
• Strong knowledge of commercial, corporate and IP law, including privacy:
• Practical working knowledge in other key areas -  patents, litigation, procurement and / or HR support
• Sound judgment and ability to assess legal risk, while also considering other related matters (such as finance, compliance, and others);  
• Exceptional drafting skills, with a plain language / customer first approach;
• Exceptional negotiation skills, with a consultative, non-adversarial approach;
• Strong understanding of GDPR and applicable regional privacy laws; 
• Strong understanding of software IP and related knowledge, and demonstrated advisory;
• Understanding of Cloud delivery - SaaS, PaaS and IaaS;  
• Relevant Security & Compliance  knowledge;
• Practical working knowledge across cross-functional areas - (Finance, Product, IT, Security, Compliance, Customer Succes and others);
• Relevant RevRec knowledge; 
• Developing strong experience in one or two specific legal areas; and 
• Displayed passion for working in an emerging technology software sales company. 

Education

J.D. or LLB, or European equivalent

Admitted to practice, and currently licensed,  in an  applicable country.

Competencies