Commercial Counsel - Europe at Cognition

Cognition hiring Commercial Counsel - Europe in London, England, United Kingdom

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Cognition

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Location/Place/Mode

London, England, United Kingdom

7+ years experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, including international trans-national commercial arrangements; experience with high-velocity tech company preferred; transnational body of work, including Europe, Middle East, and Asia/South Asia; must have experience working from local market for US-based company; bonus if experience includes launching new markets in EU/MENA localities

Why This Commercial Counsel Role at Cognition Matters in the Legal Landscape

Securing a role as Commercial Counsel - Europe at Cognition is not just about joining a high-profile tech company—it's about becoming a pivotal player in the evolving legal landscape of AI-driven enterprises. Cognition, an applied AI lab at the forefront of software innovation, is seeking a legal professional with the expertise to navigate the complex regulatory environment of the European Union and beyond. This role is a testament to the growing intersection between legal strategy and technological advancement, offering a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI compliance and commercial law.

Understanding the Role: Commercial Counsel - Europe at Cognition

The Commercial Counsel - Europe role at Cognition is a strategic position that requires a blend of legal acumen, business insight, and cross-cultural communication skills. As the primary legal voice in enterprise-level deals, the Commercial Counsel will manage a high-volume workflow of complex negotiations across AI SaaS licensing, marketing, and partnership agreements. This role is central to the company's expansion into the EMEA region, where the Commercial Counsel will serve as the connective tissue between local markets and the US-based technical and operational team.

The Commercial Counsel will be responsible for translating local legal and regulatory requirements into actionable guidance for non-legal stakeholders. This involves deep fluency in GDPR, the EU AI Act, DORA, and the broader compliance landscape across the region. The role also requires the confidence to advise clearly under pressure, ensuring that all legal and regulatory considerations are addressed in a timely and effective manner.

Key Responsibilities and Strategic Impact

The Commercial Counsel - Europe will have a wide range of responsibilities, each with significant strategic implications. These include:

• Lead responsibility for all GTM deals and contract work out of EU and MENA: This involves managing the entire lifecycle of commercial agreements, from initial negotiations to final execution, ensuring that all legal and business objectives are met.
• Manage GDPR compliance and DPAs: Ensuring that all data protection and privacy regulations are adhered to, particularly in the context of AI SaaS licensing and marketing activities.
• Manage local regulatory compliance (DORA, EU AI Act, EU Data Act, etc.): Navigating the intricate web of regulatory requirements across the EMEA region, ensuring that the company remains in compliance with all relevant laws and standards.
• Manage a high-volume workflow, redlining and negotiating key legal documents: Handling a high volume of legal documents, including Licensing, SaaS agreements, and NDAs, with precision and efficiency.
• Provide crucial legal guidance, balancing risk/reward: Offering strategic legal advice that balances the need for risk mitigation with the pursuit of commercial opportunities, ensuring that the company's interests are protected while remaining competitive in the market.
• Engage with enterprise-level counsel, ensuring swift and fair deal closures: Collaborating with senior legal professionals to ensure that all deals are closed efficiently and effectively, maintaining the company's reputation for excellence in legal and business practices.
• Advising on compliance with local regulations: Providing expert advice on compliance with local regulations, including GDPR, EU AI Act, and DORA, to ensure that the company operates within the legal framework of each market it enters.
• Work collaboratively across teams to establish and launch new markets in EMEA: Playing a key role in the company's regional expansion, working closely with cross-functional teams to establish and launch new markets in the EMEA region.

Qualifications and Experience Required

The ideal candidate for the Commercial Counsel - Europe role at Cognition must possess a robust set of qualifications and experience that align with the company's vision and operational needs. Key requirements include:

• 7+ years experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts: Demonstrated expertise in drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts, particularly those involving international trans-national arrangements.
• Experience with high-velocity tech company preferred: Preference for candidates with experience in high-velocity tech companies, where the ability to adapt to rapid changes and scale operations is critical.
• Transnational body of work, including Europe, Middle East, and Asia/South Asia: A proven track record of working across multiple regions, with experience in the legal and regulatory environments of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia/South Asia.
• Must have experience working from local market for US-based company: Experience working from a local market for a US-based company is essential, as the Commercial Counsel will need to navigate the complexities of operating in a foreign market while maintaining alignment with the US-based technical and operational team.
• Bonus if experience includes launching new markets in EU/MENA localities: While not mandatory, experience in launching new markets in EU or MENA localities is a significant advantage, as it demonstrates the ability to drive growth and manage regulatory challenges in new markets.

Why This Role is a Strategic Career Move

Joining Cognition as Commercial Counsel - Europe is not just a job—it's a strategic career move that offers unparalleled opportunities for growth and impact. The role is at the intersection of legal strategy and technological innovation, providing a unique platform to influence the future of AI compliance and commercial law. This position is ideal for legal professionals who are passionate about shaping the legal landscape of emerging technologies and are looking for a role that offers both challenge and reward.

Moreover, the role offers the chance to work with a talented and diverse team of professionals, including world-class competitive programmers, former founders, and leaders from companies at the cutting edge of AI. This environment fosters innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for legal professionals to grow and thrive.

Preparing for the Application Process

Applying for the Commercial Counsel - Europe role at Cognition requires a strategic approach to highlight your qualifications and experience in a way that aligns with the company's needs. Here are some key steps to prepare for the application process:

• Highlight your experience with international commercial contracts: Emphasize your experience in drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts, particularly those involving international trans-national arrangements. This is a critical requirement for the role.
• Demonstrate your expertise in regulatory compliance: Showcase your knowledge of GDPR, the EU AI Act, DORA, and other relevant regulations. This is essential for ensuring that the company remains in compliance with all legal requirements in the EMEA region.
• Highlight your experience working in a US-based company from a local market: If you have experience working from a local market for a US-based company, make sure to highlight this in your application. This experience is crucial for the role, as the Commercial Counsel will need to navigate the complexities of operating in a foreign market.
• Include any experience in launching new markets: If you have experience in launching new markets in EU or MENA localities, this should be highlighted as it is a significant advantage for the role.
• Prepare for a collaborative work environment: Cognition values collaboration and innovation, so be prepared to demonstrate your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and contribute to the company's strategic goals.

Conclusion: A Unique Opportunity in the Legal and Tech Landscape

The Commercial Counsel - Europe role at Cognition represents a unique opportunity for legal professionals to make a significant impact in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and technology. This role is not just about legal expertise—it's about shaping the future of how AI is regulated and commercialized. For those who are passionate about legal strategy, technological innovation, and cross-border compliance, this is an opportunity that offers both challenge and reward.

As the legal landscape continues to evolve, roles like this will become increasingly important. Cognition is at the forefront of this transformation, and joining the company as Commercial Counsel - Europe will provide a unique platform to influence the future of AI compliance and commercial law. This is an opportunity that is not to be missed for those who are looking to make a meaningful impact in the legal and tech industries.

FAQs

Q: What are the key responsibilities of the Commercial Counsel - Europe role at Cognition?

The Commercial Counsel - Europe will be responsible for managing a high-volume workflow of complex negotiations across AI SaaS licensing, marketing, and partnership agreements. They will also manage GDPR compliance, local regulatory compliance, and provide crucial legal guidance to ensure swift and fair deal closures.

Q: What qualifications are required for this role?

The ideal candidate should have 7+ years of experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, with a transnational body of work including Europe, Middle East, and Asia/South Asia. Experience working from a local market for a US-based company is also required.

Q: How does this role contribute to the company's expansion into the EMEA region?

The Commercial Counsel - Europe will play a key role in establishing and launching new markets in EMEA by providing regulatory and compliance guidance, ensuring that the company operates within the legal framework of each market it enters.

Q: What is the company's vision for the role?

Cognition is looking for a Commercial Counsel who can shape the future of AI compliance and commercial law. The role is strategic, offering the opportunity to influence the legal landscape of emerging technologies and drive the company's expansion into new markets.