Legal Counsel (In-House) United Kingdom in London

Legal Counsel (In-House) United Kingdom in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 75000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage legal operations and contract lifecycle for a revolutionary AI-powered platform.
  • Company: Join Sedna, a leader in transforming global trade with innovative technology.
  • Benefits: Dynamic work environment, opportunities for impact, and a culture of innovation.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture focused on diversity, sustainability, and continuous learning.
  • Why this job: Be part of a team driving change in the maritime industry with your legal expertise.
  • Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with experience in B2B SaaS contracts and UK GDPR knowledge.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.

About Sedna

Sedna is at the forefront of revolutionising global trade, serving as the North Star for businesses navigating the complexities of international commerce. Our AI-powered platform is designed to make global trade more efficient, transparent, and sustainable. As we continue to grow and innovate, we are looking for exceptional talent to join our journey and contribute to our mission of transforming global trade.

Purpose

  • Own day-to-day legal operations and the contract lifecycle
  • Be the first line of legal support to the organisation, particularly the go-to-market and finance functions
  • Coordinate external counsel across UK and other jurisdictions - managing scope, spend, and turnaround rather than duplicating their work

Core responsibilities

  • Commercial contracting
    • Draft, review, and negotiate customer agreements: MSAs, order forms, DPAs, NDAs, SOWs, renewals, amendments
    • Review inbound customer paper and run redline cycles to close
    • Maintain the contract repositories; ensure executed contracts, key terms, and obligations are tracked follow company guidelines
    • Own the legal playbook: standard positions, fallback clauses, escalation triggers
    • Legal point of contact for the GTM team
    • Triage and turn around RFP/security/legal questionnaires within SLA, working with Security, Finance, and Product as needed
    • Pre-clear known customer paper and common redlines ahead of quarter-end to compress deal times
  • Vendor and procurement
    • Review inbound vendor contracts, DPAs, and renewals; flag auto-renewals and material commitments to Finance
  • Corporate, compliance, governance
    • Support board and shareholder administrative work: minutes, written resolutions, cap table, filings, coordinated with local counsel and company secretarial providers
    • Own routine compliance tasks: GDPR/UK GDPR, DPIAs, data subject requests, sub-processor list maintenance, IP and trademark register
    • Support employment matters (offers, contractor agreements, terminations) with external employment counsel where needed
    • M&A, financing, and corporate transactions (support role)
      • Run diligence checklists, data rooms and disclosure schedules for buy-side acquisitions and lender processes

    Requirements

    • Qualified solicitor (England & Wales), 1-3 years PQE; trained at a reputable commercial firm or strong in-house programme
    • Direct experience reviewing and negotiating B2B SaaS commercial contracts (MSA / DPA / order form structure)
    • Working knowledge of UK GDPR / data protection in a SaaS context
    • Comfortable as the only lawyer in the room for routine matters; knows when to elevate to external counsel
    • Highly organised, responsive, and used to operating against commercial deadlines
    • Comfortable with contract management tooling (Juro or equivalent)

    Nice to have

    • Exposure to multi-jurisdictional groups (UK / Canada / EU)
    • Prior in-house secondment in a B2B SaaS or tech business
    • Familiarity with maritime, commodities, or trading customers

    What success looks like in the first 12 months

    • Contract turnaround times reduced
    • Administrative and compliance matters run on rails
    • Single source of truth for executed contracts and key obligations
    • External counsel spend reduced
    • Deal flow improved while managing risks appropriately

    Our values:

    • Finally, culture is important to us, so we also look for candidates who share our values:
      • We don't just adapt‐we anticipate change and act with confidence.
      • Curiosity, data, and customer insights help us stay ahead of the curve.
      • We embrace challenges as opportunities and remain resilient under pressure.
      • By staying open to new ideas and ways of working, we lead the future.
      • Execute with focus
      • We turn strategy into action, delivering measurable results that matter.
      • Every initiative counts‐discipline and ownership drive business impact.
      • We make smart decisions with speed, balancing pace and precision.
      • Clear priorities keep us focused on what moves the needle.
      • Work together, win together
      • Collaboration is our superpower‐we succeed as one team, internally and with customers.
      • We co-create solutions, seek feedback, and build the future of the OS together.
      • Strong relationships are built on trust, respect, and shared goals.
      • By aligning across teams and with customers, we unlock greater impact.

    Why Join Sedna?

    • Be part of a dynamic team driving innovation in the maritime industry
    • Join a culture of innovation and openness where your ideas can make a real impact
    • Work with technology that's transforming the maritime industry
    • Contribute to solutions that drive both profitability and sustainability in shipping
    • The role reports to the CFO and Senior Leadership team and is an integral part of our central operations team based in London.
    • Sedna is committed to maintaining a progressive, innovative workplace where every team member can thrive. We value diversity, sustainability, and continuous learning as we work together to shape the future of maritime technology.

Legal Counsel (In-House) United Kingdom in London employer: SEDNA Systems Pte. Ltd.

Sedna is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for legal professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in the maritime industry. With a commitment to diversity, sustainability, and continuous learning, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive within a dynamic team environment. Located in London, Sedna offers unique opportunities to work with cutting-edge technology that transforms global trade, while also providing a supportive framework for professional development and engagement.

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Contact Detail:

SEDNA Systems Pte. Ltd. Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel (In-House) United Kingdom in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience in B2B SaaS or tech. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential colleagues and learn more about the company culture at Sedna.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of UK GDPR and commercial contracts. Be ready to discuss how you’ve handled contract negotiations in the past and how you can contribute to reducing turnaround times at Sedna.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your organisational skills! Bring examples of how you've managed compliance tasks or streamlined legal processes in previous roles. Sedna values efficiency, so demonstrate how you can help keep things running smoothly.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Sedna team and contributing to our mission.

We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel (In-House) United Kingdom in London

Legal Operations Management
Contract Lifecycle Management
Commercial Contracting
Drafting and Negotiating Agreements
GDPR/UK GDPR Compliance
Data Protection Knowledge
Vendor Contract Review

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Legal Counsel role. Highlight your experience with B2B SaaS contracts and any relevant legal operations you've managed. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Sedna!

Showcase Your Legal Expertise:Don’t hold back on detailing your qualifications and experience. Mention your PQE, your familiarity with UK GDPR, and any specific contract management tools you’ve used. This is your chance to shine and show us why you're the right fit!

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point—just like we do in our legal work!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our innovative team at Sedna!

How to prepare for a job interview at SEDNA Systems Pte. Ltd.

Know Your Contracts Inside Out

Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of B2B SaaS commercial contracts, especially MSAs and DPAs. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your experience where you successfully negotiated terms or resolved issues. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the documents but can also handle them effectively.

Understand Sedna's Mission

Familiarise yourself with Sedna’s role in revolutionising global trade. Understand how their AI-powered platform works and think about how your legal expertise can contribute to their mission. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and its goals.

Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially in high-pressure situations. Think of scenarios where you had to triage legal matters or manage external counsel. Prepare concise stories that highlight your ability to act decisively and maintain compliance under tight deadlines.

Showcase Your Organisational Skills

Since the role requires managing multiple contracts and compliance tasks, be prepared to discuss your organisational strategies. Share tools or methods you use to keep track of contracts and obligations, and how you ensure nothing falls through the cracks. This will reassure them that you can handle the workload efficiently.