At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead negotiations on complex SaaS and AI contracts with top financial institutions.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company at the forefront of AI compliance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with exposure to cutting-edge AI technology and regulatory challenges.
- Why this job: Be a strategic partner in shaping AI legal frameworks and driving innovation.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with experience in tech agreements and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Requirements
- Qualified solicitor/lawyer in the UK with 5+ PQE
- Demonstrable experience negotiating complex technology or SaaS agreements with financial institutions - ideally including tier-1 banks or large buy-side firms
- Solid foundation in UK contract and intellectual property law; working knowledge of US contract law
- Exposure to AI, data, or emerging technology contracting - ideally including at least some familiarity with AI compliance frameworks (EU AI Act, FCA AI guidance, or equivalent)
- Excellent commercial instincts: you understand that legal advice that kills deals is not good legal advice
- Highly skilled negotiator, confident sitting across the table from the most sophisticated procurement and legal teams in the world
- Prior in-house experience, whether as a permanent or interim counsel, strongly preferred
- Communicates clearly and confidently - adapting style for commercial stakeholders, technical teams, and external counterparties alike
- A natural relationship-builder who establishes trust quickly, both internally and with customer legal teams
- Demonstrates strong commercial awareness and understands Duco's strategy, market position, and growth objectives
- Pragmatic problem-solver: focuses on realistic, workable solutions rather than theoretical perfection
- Highly organised, capable of managing multiple live negotiations and workstreams simultaneously without losing attention to detail
- Self-motivated and able to operate with autonomy while keeping stakeholders appropriately informed
- Entrepreneurial mindset - able to identify opportunities and risks proactively, not just reactively
What the job involves
- Reporting directly to the CFO and working closely with the broader leadership team - including Sales, Customer Success, Information Security, and the executive team - you will take ownership of Duco's commercial legal function across EMEA during this critical period
- You will work alongside Duco's existing US-based legal counsel, taking the lead on EMEA commercial activity and collaborating globally where needed
- You will negotiate and close complex SaaS and AI platform contracts with the legal and procurement teams of global financial institutions, and you will help Duco navigate the entirely new territory of AI compliance, agentic systems contracting, and responsible AI frameworks within heavily regulated industries
- This is not a back-office legal role. You will be a strategic business partner - sitting at the commercial table, contributing to deal strategy, helping unlock revenue, and protecting the business
- You will also be Duco's primary EMEA legal voice on AI-related compliance matters with counterparties, a space where the rules are nascent, the questions are genuinely novel, and the opportunity to shape norms is real
- Duco is also going AI-first internally. Our legal function is no exception - we have already embedded AI into our legal workflows, including automated playbooks and AI-assisted contract redlining
- Joining now means you will get hands-on exposure to AI from multiple angles: as the vendor selling an agentic platform, as the negotiator facing banks' AI compliance requirements, and as a practitioner working inside an AI-native legal team
- We would be particularly interested in candidates who have previously implemented AI workflows or redlining tools in a legal context, though this is not a hard requirement
- Lead end-to-end negotiation of enterprise SaaS and AI platform agreements with the procurement, legal, risk, and technology teams of global financial institutions - including tier-1 banks and buy-side firms across EMEA and North America
- Manage complex, multi-party deal structures involving master agreements, order forms, data processing addenda, security schedules, and AI-specific provisions
- Provide pragmatic, commercially-oriented legal advice to Sales, Customer Success, and the executive team on deal structuring and risk
- Draft, review, and negotiate vendor and supplier contracts including third-party technology, data, and professional services agreements
- Serve as Duco's primary EMEA legal point of contact on AI compliance matters raised by customers, including EU AI Act considerations, model transparency and explainability requirements, data governance in agentic systems, and human oversight obligations
- Work with counterparties' legal, risk, and compliance teams to navigate the nascent and rapidly evolving requirements banks are placing on AI vendors - drafting novel contractual provisions where no established precedent yet exists
- Develop and maintain Duco's internal frameworks, contractual positions, and playbooks for AI-related legal questions, working collaboratively with Product, Engineering, and Compliance
- Stay current on AI regulatory developments (EU AI Act, FCA/PRA guidance, SEC/CFTC developments, DORA) and advise the business proactively on their implications
- Support customer due diligence processes and RFP responses on AI ethics, fairness, transparency, and accountability - translating complex product capability into clear legal and compliance language
- Identify opportunities to streamline and improve legal workflows, including through the use of technology and automation - building on Duco's existing AI-assisted contract and playbook infrastructure
- You will need to be comfortable operating in this ambiguity - helping Duco develop coherent, defensible positions and negotiating novel provisions in a space that is still being defined
- You don't need to be an AI expert, but you do need curiosity about the technology, the regulatory landscape, and the appetite to help write the playbook rather than wait for one to arrive
Communication & Stakeholder Management: Communicates clearly and accurately, listens well, builds collaborative relationships, and adapts approach to the context and audience
Commercial Awareness: Articulates the FinTech and AI market, demonstrates awareness of Duco's strategic objectives beyond legal technicalities, and actively builds cross-functional networks
Professional Excellence & Self-Development: Demonstrates initiative, high attention to detail, integrity, and a commitment to continuous learning - including staying ahead of fast-moving regulatory developments
Operational Excellence & Efficiency: Responds positively to change, takes ownership, plans and prioritises effectively, and manages stakeholder expectations proactively
Managing Risk & Compliance: Understands key legal, regulatory, ethical, and reputational risks facing Duco - including the emerging risks specific to agentic AI - and helps the business navigate them
Temporary Senior Legal Counsel in London employer: Duco
Duco is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, particularly for those in the legal field. As a Temporary Senior Legal Counsel, you will have the unique opportunity to engage directly with cutting-edge AI compliance matters while collaborating with a diverse leadership team. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and the integration of AI into legal workflows, Duco empowers its employees to thrive in a fast-paced environment, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Temporary Senior Legal Counsel in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the legal and tech industries. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a job opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their approach to AI and compliance, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. We want you to walk in feeling confident and ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your negotiation skills! Be ready to discuss past experiences where you’ve successfully navigated complex agreements. Use specific examples that highlight your ability to work with high-stakes clients, especially in the financial sector.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Temporary Senior Legal Counsel in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Skills:Make sure to highlight your qualifications and experience as a solicitor or lawyer in the UK. We want to see your 5+ PQE and any relevant experience negotiating tech or SaaS agreements, especially with big financial institutions.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect how your skills align with our needs at Duco. Mention your familiarity with AI compliance frameworks and your ability to navigate complex legal landscapes.
Be Clear and Confident:When writing your application, communicate clearly and confidently. We’re looking for someone who can adapt their style for different audiences, so show us you can do that right from the start!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Duco
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on UK contract and intellectual property law, as well as any relevant US contract law. Familiarise yourself with the EU AI Act and FCA AI guidance, so you can confidently discuss how these regulations impact the role.
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of complex negotiations you've led, especially with financial institutions. Be ready to discuss your approach to deal-making and how you balance legal advice with commercial interests—remember, good legal advice should help close deals, not kill them!
✨Build Relationships
Demonstrate your ability to build trust quickly with both internal teams and external stakeholders. Think of specific instances where you've successfully collaborated with sales or technical teams to achieve a common goal, and be prepared to share those stories.
✨Stay Current and Curious
Show your enthusiasm for AI and emerging technologies by discussing recent developments in the field. Highlight any experience you have with AI compliance frameworks or implementing AI workflows in a legal context, and express your eagerness to learn more about this rapidly evolving area.
