At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic legal team to structure and negotiate commercial contracts in the AI space.
- Company: Sierra is an innovative tech company focused on enhancing customer experiences with AI.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible paid time off, health benefits, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced startup while growing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: 2-6 years of legal experience, strong contract negotiation skills, and a passion for AI.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At Sierra, we’re creating a platform to help businesses build better, more human customer experiences with AI. We are primarily an in-person company based in San Francisco, with growing offices in Atlanta, New York, London, and Singapore. We are guided by a set of values that are at the core of our actions and define our culture: Trust, Customer Obsession, Craftsmanship, Intensity, and Family.
As one of our early legal hires, you will have the opportunity to join a small but high-impact legal team at an early stage. We are looking for someone who has deep expertise in commercial contracts, but also someone who is eager to broaden their scope across IP, regulatory, and product. You will thrive in dynamic environments, enjoy tackling challenges beyond your comfort zone, and be excited to contribute across the business. In return, we’ll provide the support and opportunities you need to grow and excel as a lawyer.
You’ll be part of a legal team that is highly respected within both the company and the broader legal industry—committed to excellence, collaboration, and making a meaningful impact.
- Commercial Contracting: Structure, negotiate and advise on all commercial contracts, including SaaS subscription agreements, technology licenses, professional services agreements, channel partner agreements, vendor agreements and NDAs. Commercial privacy and security contracting experience (e.g., DPAs, BAAs, security agreements) is a plus.
- Operational Excellence: Help build out our commercial function to be best in class. We aim to be the fastest and strongest, where the legal team is the differentiator in the contract lifecycle. You will be developing templates, playbooks, and workflows to drive efficiency and scalability.
- Expertise: Deep knowledge of practice areas that underpin the commercial practice, including contract law, IP and privacy. You will also want to work in AI and understand the nuances of law as it relates to AI, including the evolving regulatory frameworks.
- Teamwork: A team player first and foremost. Sierra is a unique place to work, with a strong sense of togetherness, and the legal team is no exception. You will look out for your colleagues, be accustomed to sharing and helping the team succeed.
- Judgement: Understand risk in the context of a hyperscaling business, have sound judgement and be strategic in your decision making. You will not be afraid to make judgement calls, and you will be empowered to do so.
- Approach: A strong work ethic with an eye for detail. You will strive for perfection, and expect that of others.
- Collaborate: Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Operations, and Agent Development teams to support revenue growth and strategic business initiatives.
What you’ll bring:
- 2-6 years of legal experience, with a combination of both large law firm and in-house experience at a tech company.
- A strong background in negotiating and managing complex commercial contracts, preferably in SaaS, AI, or enterprise software.
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written) and the ability to partner with both legal and non-legal stakeholders.
- A proactive mindset and the ability to navigate ambiguity in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment.
Even better…
- Experience of privacy/regulatory frameworks and can advise on data processing agreements and security-related contract provisions.
- A passion for AI, with a deep understanding of AI products, LLMs and the related legal issues.
- Law firm experience at a top-tier, internationally recognized law firm.
- Experience working at a high-growth startup and operating with a sense of ownership.
We want our benefits to reflect our values and offer the following to full-time employees:
- Flexible (Unlimited) Paid Time Off
- Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits for you and your family
- Life Insurance and Disability Benefits
- Retirement Plan (e.g., 401K, pension) with Sierra match
- Parental Leave
- Fertility and family building benefits through Carrot
- Lunch, as well as delicious snacks and coffee to keep you energized
- Discretionary Benefit Stipend giving people the ability to spend where it matters most
- Free alphorn lessons
These benefits are further detailed in Sierra's policies and are subject to change at any time, consistent with the terms of any applicable compensation or benefits plans. Eligible full-time employees can participate in Sierra's equity plans subject to the terms of the applicable plans and policies.
We believe that our work and culture are better when we encourage, support, and respect different skills and experiences represented within our team. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn’t precisely match the job description. We strive to evaluate all applicants consistently without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class.
Commercial Counsel employer: Sierra
Contact Detail:
Sierra Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at Sierra or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Sierra's values and culture. Show us how you embody Trust, Customer Obsession, and Teamwork in your past experiences. We love candidates who align with our mission!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Commercial Counsel role. Highlight your experience with commercial contracts and your passion for AI—make it personal and engaging!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for talent that matches our dynamic environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for AI shine through! Mention any relevant experience or projects that showcase your understanding of AI products and the legal issues surrounding them.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your experience with commercial contracts, especially in SaaS or tech. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs, so don’t be shy about showcasing your skills!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
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!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sierra
✨Know Your Contracts
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of commercial contracts, especially SaaS agreements and NDAs. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you successfully negotiated or structured a contract. This will show that you not only understand the theory but can also apply it in practice.
✨Embrace the Values
Familiarise yourself with Sierra's core values: Trust, Customer Obsession, Craftsmanship, Intensity, and Family. Think of ways you can demonstrate these values through your experiences. For instance, share a story about how you built trust with a client or how you tackled a challenging situation with intensity.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Since teamwork is crucial at Sierra, be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Highlight instances where you supported colleagues or contributed to a team’s success. This will illustrate that you're not just a lone wolf but someone who thrives in a collaborative environment.
✨Stay Curious About AI
Given the focus on AI at Sierra, express your passion for the field and any relevant knowledge you have about AI products and legal issues surrounding them. If you’ve worked on projects involving AI or have insights into regulatory frameworks, make sure to bring those up. It shows you're not just interested in the role but also in the industry.