Senior Commercial Counsel - UK
Senior Commercial Counsel - UK

Senior Commercial Counsel - UK

London Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join a dynamic legal team to manage commercial contracts and support business growth.
  • Company: Sierra is an innovative AI platform focused on enhancing customer experiences.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible paid time off, health benefits, and a supportive work culture.
  • Why this job: Be part of a respected team making a meaningful impact in the AI industry.
  • Qualifications: 6+ years of legal experience, preferably in tech, with strong contract negotiation skills.
  • Other info: Diversity is valued; all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

Job Description

About us
  • 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, and London.

  • 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. These values are the foundation of our work, and we are committed to upholding them in everything we do.

  • Our co-founders are Bret Taylor and Clay Bavor. Bret currently serves as Board Chair of OpenAI. Previously, he was co-CEO of Salesforce (which had acquired the company he founded, Quip) and CTO of Facebook. Bret was also one of Google's earliest product managers and co-creator of Google Maps. Before founding Sierra, Clay spent 18 years at Google, where he most recently led Google Labs. Earlier, he started and led Google’s AR/VR effort, Project Starline, and Google Lens. Before that, Clay led the product and design teams for Google Workspace.

What you’ll do

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 also 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 agreement, 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. You will be expected to advise broadly on all contractual issues and be comfortable doing so.

  • 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. As the team grows, you will train and mentor more junior members.

  • 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

  • 6+ years post-qualified legal experience, with a combination of both large law firm and in-house experience at a tech company. While we are looking for a Senior Legal Counsel, we are open to considering exceptional candidates with less experience as Commercial Counsel.

  • A strong background in negotiating and managing complex commercial contracts, preferably in SaaS, AI, or enterprise software.

  • Strong communication skills 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.

  • Significant 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.

  • Industry specific knowledge in any of the following: Financial Services, Healthcare, Telecoms, Insurance and/or Consumer.

Our values

  • Trust: We build trust with our customers with our accountability, empathy, quality, and responsiveness. We build trust in AI by making it more accessible, safe, and useful. We build trust with each other by showing up for each other professionally and personally, creating an environment that enables all of us to do our best work.

  • Customer Obsession: We deeply understand our customers’ business goals and relentlessly focus on driving outcomes, not just technical milestones. Everyone at the company knows and spends time with our customers. When our customer is having an issue, we drop everything and fix it.

  • Craftsmanship: We get the details right, from the words on the page to the system architecture. We have good taste. When we notice something isn’t right, we take the time to fix it. We are proud of the products we produce. We continuously self-reflect to continuously self-improve.

  • Intensity: We know we don’t have the luxury of patience. We play to win. We care about our product being the best, and when it isn’t, we fix it. When we fail, we talk about it openly and without blame so we succeed the next time.

  • Family: We know that balance and intensity are compatible, and we model it in our actions and processes. We are the best technology company for parents. We support and respect each other and celebrate each other’s personal and professional achievements.

What we offer

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.

Be you, with us

We're working to bring the transformative power of AI to every organization in the world. To do so, it is important to us that the diversity of our employees represents the diversity of our customers. 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.

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Senior Commercial Counsel - UK employer: Sierra

At Sierra, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment that prioritises trust, customer obsession, and craftsmanship. As a Senior Commercial Counsel in our London office, you will not only have the opportunity to shape the legal landscape of a cutting-edge AI company but also benefit from flexible paid time off, comprehensive health benefits, and a strong commitment to employee growth and mentorship. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your contributions are valued and your professional development is supported.
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Contact Detail:

Sierra Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Counsel - UK

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with Sierra's core values: Trust, Customer Obsession, Craftsmanship, Intensity, and Family. During your interactions, whether in interviews or networking, demonstrate how your personal values align with theirs to show you're a great cultural fit.

✨Tip Number 2

Research the latest trends in AI and its legal implications. Being knowledgeable about current regulatory frameworks and how they affect commercial contracts will set you apart as a candidate who is proactive and well-informed.

✨Tip Number 3

Network with professionals in the tech and legal sectors, especially those with experience in SaaS and AI. Attend relevant industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into the company culture at Sierra.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss specific examples of your experience with complex commercial contracts. Highlight instances where you've successfully navigated ambiguity or contributed to operational excellence, as these are key aspects of the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Counsel - UK

Commercial Contract Negotiation
Legal Expertise in SaaS Agreements
Intellectual Property Law
Privacy and Data Protection Regulations
Regulatory Compliance Knowledge
Strong Communication Skills
Team Collaboration
Judgement and Risk Assessment
Attention to Detail
Proactive Problem-Solving
Experience in High-Growth Startups
Understanding of AI and Related Legal Issues
Ability to Navigate Ambiguity
Mentoring and Training Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Company Culture: Familiarise yourself with Sierra's core values: Trust, Customer Obsession, Craftsmanship, Intensity, and Family. Reflect these values in your application to show that you align with their culture.

Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise your 6+ years of post-qualified legal experience, particularly in commercial contracts, SaaS, and AI. Provide specific examples of your work that demonstrate your expertise and how it relates to the role.

Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since strong communication is key for this role, include examples of how you've successfully partnered with both legal and non-legal stakeholders in previous positions. This will illustrate your ability to collaborate effectively.

Tailor Your Application: Customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Senior Commercial Counsel position. Address how your proactive mindset and ability to navigate ambiguity make you a great fit for a dynamic startup environment.

How to prepare for a job interview at Sierra

✨Understand the Company Values

Before your interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with Sierra's core values: Trust, Customer Obsession, Craftsmanship, Intensity, and Family. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and provide examples from your past experiences that demonstrate these qualities.

✨Showcase Your Legal Expertise

As a Senior Commercial Counsel, you'll need to demonstrate your deep knowledge of commercial contracts, IP, and privacy law. Prepare specific examples of complex contracts you've negotiated or managed, particularly in SaaS or AI, and be ready to discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

✨Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration

Sierra values teamwork highly, so be sure to highlight your experience working collaboratively across different functions. Share instances where you successfully partnered with non-legal stakeholders to achieve business goals, showcasing your ability to communicate effectively and build relationships.

✨Demonstrate a Proactive Mindset

In a fast-paced startup environment, being proactive is key. Prepare to discuss how you've navigated ambiguity in previous roles and taken initiative to drive projects forward. This will show that you're not only capable of handling challenges but also eager to contribute to the company's growth.

Senior Commercial Counsel - UK
Sierra
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  • Senior Commercial Counsel - UK

    London
    Full-Time
    48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-08-25

  • S

    Sierra

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