Senior Legal Counsel
W&P Partners Legal Recruitment is proud to partner exclusively with a fast growing technology start-up on the appointment of a senior legal professional to join its expanding in-house Legal & Compliance function in London.
This is a newly created opportunity within an innovative technology business, offering significant scope to shape the legal function, develop processes and playbooks, and work closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation.
The successful candidate will combine strong commercial legal expertise with team leadership, legal operations and technology-focused responsibilities.
The Role
Reporting directly to the General Counsel, the successful candidate will have broad responsibility across the core legal function and act as a key legal partner to commercial, revenue, retention and technology teams.
The role will have a strong focus on commercial contracts, UK GDPR and data privacy, while also providing responsibility for contract management infrastructure, legal technology, AI governance and wider legal operations.
You will also lead an existing team of legal specialists, making this an excellent opportunity for an experienced Senior Legal Counsel or Commercial Technology Lawyer looking to take the next step into a broader leadership position.
As this is a newly created role, there is significant scope to build and improve processes, systems and resources as the business continues to scale.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the commercial contracts function end-to-end, including new business agreements, renewals and amendments
- Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial and technology agreements
- Act as a key legal partner to revenue, commercial, retention and technology teams
- Lead on UK GDPR and data privacy matters, including DPAs, DPIAs and data subject rights
- Oversee and improve the company's contract management infrastructure and systems
- Develop legal playbooks, templates and processes to improve efficiency and consistency
- Lead the responsible adoption and deployment of AI across the legal function
- Work closely with Compliance and Information Security teams on wider legal and regulatory matters
- Support employment and HR-related legal matters as required
- Develop self-service resources that enable the wider business to handle routine legal queries more efficiently
- Manage legal technology, tooling and budget requirements
- Provide clear, commercially focused advice to senior stakeholders and the wider business
- Help establish Legal as a commercial enabler rather than a blocker to business growth
Qualifications & Experience
- Qualified solicitor/lawyer with 7+ years' PQE or equivalent experience
- Meaningful in-house or commercial legal experience
- Strong commercial contracts experience, ideally within a technology, SaaS or other high-growth business
- Experience advising on technology, software or SaaS agreements
- Strong knowledge of UK GDPR and data protection
- Previous experience managing, mentoring or leading a small legal team
- Comfortable using legal technology, CLM systems and AI-assisted drafting tools
- Strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance legal risk with business objectives
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- High emotional intelligence and the ability to build trust with both legal and non-legal stakeholders
- Comfortable operating in an environment where processes and infrastructure are still being developed
- A proactive, hands-on approach with the ability to take ownership of a broad range of matters
Experience within a fast-growing SaaS or technology business would be advantageous, as would exposure to employment law, compliance or regulated technology environments.
W&P Partners Legal Recruitment is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.