Senior Commercial Counsel in London

Senior Commercial Counsel in London

London Full-Time 75600 - 92400 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
black.ai

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Review and negotiate commercial agreements while supporting strategic growth across EMEA.
  • Company: Join Canva, a leading design platform with a vibrant London campus.
  • Benefits: Flexible hybrid work, competitive salary, and a supportive team culture.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to embrace AI tools and enhance your legal skills.
  • Why this job: Be part of a mission to empower creativity and make a real impact in the tech industry.
  • Qualifications: 8+ years in-house legal experience, preferably in SaaS or fast-growth tech.

The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.

Join the team redefining how the world experiences design

Thanks for stopping by. We know job hunting can be a little time consuming and you're probably keen to find out what's on offer, so we'll get straight to the point.

Where and how you can work

The buzzing Canva London campus features several buildings around beautiful leafy Hoxton Square in Shoreditch.

While our global headquarters is in Sydney, Australia, London is home to our EMEA operations.

You’ll experience a warm welcome from our Vibe team at front of house, amazing home cooked food from our Head Chef and a variety of workspaces to hang out with your team mates or get solo work done.

That said, we trust our Canvanauts to choose the hybrid balance that empowers them to achieve their goals and so you have choice in where and how you work.

Canva is on a mission to empower the world to design.

With over 250 million users and a fast-growing Enterprise business, we’re scaling quickly and thoughtfully.

We’re looking for a sharp, business‑minded lawyer to join our Commercial Legal team and help us continue to close deals at pace, with precision and smart risk management.

In this role you will be embedded with our GTM teams, reviewing and negotiating a high volume of commercial agreements across enterprise, higher education, government, and strategic partnerships.

You will be required to bring expertise, good judgement, and a strong business sense to assess and mitigate legal risk while keeping deals moving.

You will play a key role in enabling strategic growth in the EMEA region and beyond.

What you’ll do

  • Review, draft, and negotiate commercial agreements with customers, and channel partners.
  • Support and evolve our contracting approach across a range of customer segments, including government, higher education institutions, and highly regulated industries.

Support partner‑led and channel transactions, including negotiating flowdown terms with resellers and other channel partners.

  • Support international and cross‑border transactions across Canva’s group companies, including working with customers and partners in multiple jurisdictions and navigating local legal and regulatory considerations.
  • Respond promptly to legal questions and requests from stakeholders across Sales and Success, Finance, Deal Desk and other teams.
  • Keep current on relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards, including data privacy, AI regulations, and other regulatory requirements relevant to enterprise and commercial contracts.
  • Contribute to the development and upkeep of contract templates, playbooks, escalation guides, and other legal team resources; this includes designing and delivering enablement and training to equip GTM and cross‑functional stakeholders to move faster and more independently on routine commercial matters.
  • Identify and help develop and implement improvements to contracting processes, workflows, and tools with a scalable, future‑focused mindset.
  • Collaborate with cross‑functional partners in Sales, Product, Finance, Security, Privacy Legal and other teams to deliver practical, solutions‑oriented legal support.

What we are looking for

  • You have hands‑on experience reviewing and negotiating a variety of contracts at a fast‑paced technology company, including enterprise Saa S transactions, AI terms, and DPAs.
  • You are excited to roll up your sleeves, learn the business and proactively identify and analyze opportunities and risks.

You are genuinely curious: about Canva, the industry, and the challenges in front of you.

  • You deliver timely, practical advice that is calibrated to risk, deal structure, and internal policy, and you know how to frame guidance in a way that is actionable for non‑legal stakeholders.
  • You have excellent communication skills and can make complex communications simple.
  • You are comfortable participating in cross‑functional and internationally distributed teams.
  • You have experience supporting international or cross‑border transactions, ideally within EMEA or other multi‑jurisdictional environments.
  • You are a collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills and a collegial, solutions‑driven attitude.
  • You are energized by the role AI is playing in legal work and are ready to embrace AI tools and workflows to help you work smarter, faster, and more impactfully.
  • You are familiar with, or willing to learn, the fundamentals of how Gen AI works in order to apply that knowledge in supporting sales contracts.
  • You are comfortable getting on the phone with customers and vendors.
  • You are able to prioritise and effectively set and balance expectations.
  • You have the pragmatism and agility required to meet the needs of the business each day.
  • Qualified to practice law in a relevant EMEA jurisdiction (e. g. UK or EU member state).
  • 8+ years of in‑house experience, primarily at a Saa S or fast‑growth tech company.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Knowledge and understanding of Canva and/or Saa S offerings.
  • Experience using contracting tools (e. g. Ironclad and Docu Sign).
  • Demonstrated interest or experience in using AI tools in a legal or operational setting.
  • Additional language skills (e. g. German and/or French) are highly valued.
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Senior Commercial Counsel in London employer: black.ai

At black.ai, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that empowers our employees to thrive. As a UK Events & Community Leader, you will have the opportunity to shape the automotive community while enjoying comprehensive benefits, professional development opportunities, and a culture that values creativity and collaboration. Join us in a location that is not only central to the industry but also rich in innovation and networking potential.

black.ai

Contact Details:

black.ai Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Counsel in London

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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Counsel in London

Contract Review
Negotiation Skills
Commercial Awareness
Legal Risk Assessment
Cross-Border Transactions
Data Privacy Knowledge
AI Regulations Understanding

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at black.ai, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.

Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.

Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in black.ai and the specific role of Senior Commercial Counsel. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.

Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for black.ai’s culture!

How to prepare for a job interview at black.ai

Know Your Legal Principles

Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.

Be Ready for Case Studies

Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.

Show Off Your Research Skills

As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at black.ai.

Exude Professionalism and Confidence

In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at black.ai.