At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead legal strategy and oversee AI-assisted legal operations at a pioneering biotech company.
- Company: Join Automata, a trailblazer in lab automation transforming life sciences.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health insurance, and wellness support.
- Other info: Dynamic, fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in science while working with cutting-edge AI technology.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with 10+ years of experience and strong commercial instincts.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
At Automata, we are on a mission to transform how scientists work by making automation accessible to every lab in the world. We believe that by giving labs the power to automate, we can unlock discoveries that will shape the future of life sciences—from diagnostics and drug discovery to synthetic biology. But we’re more than just a company disrupting the industry—we're a team of innovators, problem-solvers, and creators passionate about empowering scientists. Our LINQ platform combines hardware and software to streamline workflows, making lab automation fast, flexible, and affordable. This means our customers can focus on groundbreaking research, while we take care of the rest.
Why Work at Automata?
- Impact: Your work will directly contribute to advancements in science and medicine, supporting labs around the globe as they push boundaries in research and innovation.
- Innovation: You’ll be part of a team solving complex problems using cutting-edge technology.
- Growth: We invest in our people through hands-on experience, professional development, or collaborative projects.
What we are looking for…
The General Counsel is responsible for establishing, owning and continuously improving Automata’s legal framework, while providing strategic, hands-on in-house legal leadership to the Management Team. Reporting to the CFO, you will bring stage-appropriate structure to the business while maintaining the pace of growth and set Automata up for future fundraises with robust and reliable processes. A defining feature of this role is working closely with Automata’s AI legal assistant, which handles a significant volume of routine legal work, including NDA triage, contract review, compliance monitoring, canned response generation, and legal risk assessment. The General Counsel’s focus is therefore heavily weighted towards strategic legal judgment, complex negotiations, governance, and oversight of the AI-assisted legal function.
What You’ll Do
Commercial
- Lead major commercial negotiations and complex transactions, drawing on the AI Assistant’s first-pass contract analysis.
- Collaborate with Sales, Operations and Procurement to ensure legal contracts are fit for purpose.
- Appoint and oversee external legal counsel for strategic, complex or high-value matters.
- Understand the dynamics of the Cap Table and actively support the CEO, CFO and Board on fundraising decisions.
- Implement legal controls into key commercial systems and processes.
Corporate Governance & Compliance
- Own and maintain Automata's business-wide risk register.
- Set and maintain Automata's AI use policy for legal functions.
- Guide on regulatory and compliance matters across jurisdictions (UK, EU, and US).
- Lead horizon scanning for regulatory and legal change.
- Own the preparation of Board resolutions.
- Take full ownership of and lead Automata's Company Secretarial support.
AI-Assisted Legal Operations
- Direct the design and maintenance of AI-assisted workflows.
- Set and maintain escalation rules for human review.
- Review and approve outputs on high-value or novel matters.
- Continuously refine the AI-assisted legal function.
- Maintain a clear audit trail of AI-assisted legal decisions.
General
- Help manage investment stages, including shareholder agreements and share schemes.
- Provide support to the HR team on employment-related legal matters.
- Own IP strategy, including brand protection and trade mark registration.
- Own and manage the legal budget.
- Support future fundraisers and debt financing requirements.
- Build and develop lean, high-performance internal legal processes.
Values
- Action over Inaction – be a completer of work, pushing actions through to resolution.
- Pace – complete things on time and cut through when something is taking too long.
- Be Your Best – actively seek out feedback and proactively ask for advice.
- Collaborate to Elevate – work with stakeholders to identify priority areas.
What You Bring
- Qualified solicitor or barrister (England & Wales) with 10+ years' post-qualification experience.
- Proven experience working in fast-growth, technology-driven environments.
- Familiarity with AI-assisted legal tools and legal tech platforms.
- Strong commercial instincts and exceptional communication skills.
- Confidence to represent Automata in negotiations and in front of the Board.
- Excellent stakeholder management across a fast-moving, cross-functional leadership team.
What Makes You Stand Out
- Biotech / healthtech / medtech sector background.
- Experience with fundraising, M&A or corporate finance transactions.
- Familiarity with AI governance frameworks and emerging regulation.
- Familiarity with patent law and prosecution processes.
A Note on Working with the AI Assistant
Automata’s AI legal assistant is capable of handling various legal tasks. The General Counsel is responsible for configuring and overseeing this capability. The most effective General Counsels will use the AI Assistant to expand capacity on routine work while reserving their own time for high-stakes matters.
UK Team Benefits:
- Vitality Health Insurance
- Eye Care
- Salary Sacrifice - EV
- Salary Sacrifice - Bike & Tech
- Wellbeing & Support
- Wellbeing & Development Allowance
- Spill & Employee Assistance Programme
- Additional Leave
- Pension Scheme
- Group Life & Critical Illness cover
We are an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
General Counsel employer: Automata
At Automata, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Located in the vibrant Angel area of London, our hybrid work model allows for flexibility while you contribute to groundbreaking advancements in life sciences. We are committed to your professional growth, providing ample opportunities for development and a supportive environment where your contributions directly impact the future of science and medicine.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience in fast-growth tech environments. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of AI-assisted legal tools. Automata is all about innovation, so showing that you understand how to leverage technology in legal processes will definitely set you apart.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings—be proactive! Check out our website regularly and apply directly through it. This shows initiative and gives you a better chance of being noticed.
✨Tip Number 4
During interviews, highlight your ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams. Automata values teamwork, so sharing examples of how you've successfully partnered with others will resonate well with the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace General Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the General Counsel role. Highlight your legal expertise, especially in fast-growth environments and AI-assisted legal tools, as these are key for us at Automata.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since you'll be translating complex legal jargon into clear guidance for non-legal stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your exceptional communication skills. Use straightforward language in your application to show us you can make legal concepts accessible.
Highlight Your Strategic Thinking:We’re looking for someone who can lead major negotiations and manage risks effectively. In your application, share examples of how you've successfully navigated complex legal challenges and contributed to strategic decisions in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. This way, you’ll ensure it reaches the right people directly and gives you a better chance to stand out in our hiring process. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Automata
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your legal knowledge, especially around corporate governance, compliance, and AI-assisted legal tools. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with Automata's mission and the specific challenges they face in the life sciences sector.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples of how you've led complex negotiations or managed high-stakes legal matters in fast-paced environments. Highlight your ability to balance speed with thoroughness, as this is crucial for a role that supports rapid growth and innovation.
✨Familiarise Yourself with AI Tools
Since the role involves working closely with an AI legal assistant, demonstrate your understanding of how AI can enhance legal operations. Be ready to discuss any previous experience you have with legal tech platforms and how you would leverage them at Automata.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice translating complex legal concepts into straightforward language. You'll need to communicate effectively with non-legal stakeholders, so think about how you can convey your ideas clearly and confidently during the interview.
