At a Glance
- Tasks: Draft and negotiate commercial agreements while advising on IP and data privacy matters.
- Company: Join HappyRobot, a cutting-edge AI startup transforming the real economy.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and the chance to work with top investors.
- Other info: Collaborate with a world-class team and enjoy a culture of accountability and craftsmanship.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment with ownership over your projects.
- Qualifications: 6+ years of legal experience, strong contract negotiation skills, and knowledge of EU data privacy laws.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About HappyRobot
HappyRobot is the AI-native operating system for the real economy—a system that closes the circuit between intelligence and action. By combining real-time truth, specialized AI workers, and an orchestrating intelligence, we help enterprises run complex, mission-critical operations with true autonomy.
Our AI OS compounds knowledge, optimizes at every level, and evolves over time. We’re starting with supply chain and industrial-scale operations, where resilience, speed, and continuous improvement matter most—freeing humans to focus on strategy, creativity, and other high-value tasks.
About the Role
We’re looking for a smart, practical, and business-oriented Legal Counsel to support our growing business with a focus on intellectual property and commercial agreements. This role will work cross-functionally with product, engineering, sales, partnerships, and operations teams to ensure our IP is protected and our commercial arrangements are sound, scalable, and aligned with our strategic goals.
Responsibilities
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including SaaS agreements, MSAs, enterprise agreements, licensing agreements, vendor agreements, reseller agreements, partnership agreements, Order Forms, DPAs, NDAs, and services agreements.
- Advise internal stakeholders on commercial, intellectual property, and data privacy matters related to product development, partnerships, customer relationships, and business operations.
- Review and negotiate data processing agreements (DPAs) and advise on compliance with EU data privacy laws and regulations, including GDPR and other applicable state privacy frameworks.
- Support the company’s intellectual property strategy, including trademark, copyright, patent, trade secret, and IP ownership matters.
- Assist with open-source software compliance, employee and contractor IP assignment matters, and IP diligence processes.
- Build, improve, and maintain legal templates, negotiation playbooks, internal policies, and scalable contracting workflows to increase operational efficiency.
- Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice that balances risk mitigation with commercial objectives and enables business growth.
- Monitor legal and regulatory developments related to commercial law, intellectual property, SaaS businesses, and data privacy, and assess their impact on the company.
- Support fundraising, due diligence, and other strategic corporate initiatives as needed.
- Manage external counsel effectively when specialized legal support is required.
Requirements
- 6+ years of relevant legal experience, ideally combining experience at a reputable law firm and an in-house legal team at a startup or high-growth technology company.
- Strong experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating SaaS agreements, MSAs, enterprise agreements, NDAs, DPAs, Order Forms and other commercial contracts.
- Solid understanding of EU data privacy laws and regulations, including GDPR and other state-specific privacy requirements.
- Experience handling intellectual property matters, including trademarks, patents, copyright, licensing, and IP ownership issues.
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills with a pragmatic, solution-oriented, and risk-based approach.
- Strong commercial judgment and ability to balance legal risk with business priorities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and high contract volume efficiently in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
- Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and execution with attention to detail and urgency.
- Proven ability to work cross-functionally and build trusted relationships with business stakeholders.
Nice to Have
- Experience supporting fundraising transactions, due diligence exercises, and broader corporate legal matters.
- Familiarity with employment law and general corporate governance matters.
- Experience creating and implementing legal automation processes, templates, and operational workflows.
- Background in software, AI/ML, digital content, or other technology-driven industries.
Why join us?
- Opportunity to work at a high-growth AI startup, backed by top investors.
- Rapidly growing and backed by top investors including a16z, Y Combinator, and Base10.
- Ownership & Autonomy - Take full ownership of projects and ship fast.
- Top-Tier Compensation - Competitive salary + equity in a high-growth startup.
- Work With the Best - Join a world-class team of engineers and builders.
Our Operating Principles
- Extreme Ownership - We take full responsibility for our work, outcomes, and team success.
- Craftsmanship - Putting care and intention into every task, striving for excellence.
- We are “majos” - Be friendly & have fun with your coworkers.
- Urgency with Focus - Create the highest impact in the shortest amount of time.
- Talent Density and Meritocracy - Hire only people who can raise the average.
- First-Principles Thinking - Strip a problem to physics-level facts, ignore industry dogma.
Senior Legal Counsel: IP & Commercial employer: Happyrobot Inc.
HappyRobot is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and autonomy thrive. Employees enjoy top-tier compensation, including equity in a high-growth startup, and the opportunity to collaborate with a world-class team of engineers and builders. With a strong emphasis on ownership, craftsmanship, and a supportive culture, HappyRobot fosters personal and professional growth, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the fast-paced AI industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Counsel: IP & Commercial
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at companies you admire. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your skills align with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets them.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you're the perfect fit for the role. Highlight your relevant experience and how it can benefit the team at HappyRobot. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it keeps you on their radar.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel: IP & Commercial
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Senior Legal Counsel. Highlight your experience with IP and commercial agreements, and don’t forget to showcase your understanding of EU data privacy laws. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about working with us at HappyRobot. Share specific examples of how you've tackled similar challenges in the past and how you can contribute to our mission.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give us a glimpse of your problem-solving abilities. We love candidates who can balance legal risks with business priorities. Share stories that demonstrate your pragmatic approach and how you’ve navigated complex legal landscapes.
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at HappyRobot!
How to prepare for a job interview at Happyrobot Inc.
✨Know Your IP Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of intellectual property laws and regulations, especially those relevant to the EU. Be prepared to discuss how you've handled IP matters in the past, as this will show your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Master the Commercial Agreements
Familiarise yourself with various types of commercial agreements like SaaS agreements, NDAs, and DPAs. Bring examples of contracts you've drafted or negotiated to the interview, as this will demonstrate your practical experience and understanding of the nuances involved.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Since this role involves working with multiple teams, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with product, engineering, or sales teams in the past. Highlight your ability to build relationships and communicate effectively across different functions.
✨Demonstrate Business Acumen
Prepare to discuss how you balance legal risks with business objectives. Think of specific instances where your legal advice has directly contributed to business growth or operational efficiency, as this will align with HappyRobot's focus on practical, business-oriented legal counsel.
