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- Tasks: Draft and negotiate commercial agreements while supporting open source compliance.
- Company: Join SUSE, a global leader in open source solutions with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Remote work, dynamic environment, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that champions digital sovereignty and open source innovation.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with 1-5 years' experience, fluent in German and English.
- Other info: Collaborative atmosphere where your unique perspective is valued.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
About Us
SUSE is a global leader in innovative, reliable, and secure enterprise open source solutions, including SUSE® Linux Suite, SUSE® Rancher Suite, SUSE® Edge Suite, and SUSE® AI Suite. More than 60% of the Fortune 500 rely on SUSE to power their mission‑critical workloads, enabling them to innovate everywhere – from the data center to the cloud, to the edge and beyond. SUSE puts the “open” back in open source, collaborating with partners and communities to give customers the agility to tackle innovation challenges today and the freedom to evolve their strategy and solutions tomorrow.
Job Description
SUSE Legal has a best-in-class legal team, partnering effectively with the business and further positioning for growth. In this role, you will work as part of a team of lawyers and contract negotiators around the globe to provide efficient and high-quality legal support to the SUSE business, including sales, product and engineering. We’re looking for a Legal Counsel to join our commercial legal team, with a primary focus on the DACH region. This is a dynamic, varied and rewarding role where you’ll handle a broad range of commercial agreements as well as contributing to policy and advice on product development. Approximately 20‑30% of your time will be dedicated to open source software licensing work. You will act as the primary internal contact in relation to open source license compliance, and help develop and maintain SUSE’s software licence review processes. You will also act as a pivotal legal partner within the DACH market, working in close collaboration with and reporting into the Country Counsel Germany. While you will benefit from her mentorship and strategic guidance, you will be the primary driver of your work product—taking full ownership of fact‑gathering and cultivating influential relationships directly with our business stakeholders and customers alike.
Responsibilities
- Drafting, marking up, negotiating and advising on a broad spectrum of commercial agreements involving our customers, suppliers and strategic partners;
- Supporting and executing legal team strategy initiatives to streamline global operations;
- Reviewing software packages for license compliance before release, ensuring our processes remain robust and aligned with industry standards;
- Translating complex engineering requirements into precise legal terms and, conversely, explaining how legal concepts (like copyleft or derivative works) impact specific coding and product decisions;
- Monitoring the legal and regulatory landscape of open source software, including emerging cybersecurity requirements, and proactively defining SUSE’s approach and policies to open source license compliance;
- Advising on SUSE’s strategic positioning within the open source community, including supporting SUSE’s thought leadership and activism on licensing issues in the open source community;
- Developing and delivering training to the business and supporting functions covering matters such as contract processes, the meaning of various contractual provisions, negotiation skills, open source compliance and group policies.
About You
- A qualified lawyer with around 1‑5 years’ post‑qualification experience. German qualification is preferred, but other jurisdictions will be considered.
- In‑house experience is a plus but not essential.
- Fluent in both German and English.
- Familiarity with commercial contracts and/or IP licenses.
- Familiarity with open source licensing is desirable, including how different licence types affect product strategy and risk.
- A desire to learn about the software supply chain and cybersecurity regulations.
- You are passionate about the philosophy of open source and are excited by the prospect of championing digital sovereignty.
- You don’t need to be a developer, but you are willing to build a solid understanding of the open source software development lifecycle and to get comfortable navigating environments like GitHub or GitLab.
- Prior experience in a technology or software company is desirable, but more importantly, you are someone who wants to "get under the skin" of engineering workflows to understand what our engineers need and how that impacts our compliance.
- Excellent drafting, research, and negotiation skills, with solid IP and commercial contracting knowledge.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure, and meet tight deadlines.
- A proactive, detail‑oriented approach with the confidence to work independently and take initiative.
- Strong collaboration skills and a good sense of humour – we value team players who can work across departments and jurisdictions.
- A business‑focused mindset with the ability to explain complex legal and technical matters in clear, accessible language.
Location
The role is remote but, depending on location, may include some days in our offices in Nuremberg, Dusseldorf or Amsterdam. Additionally, you might on occasion be required to travel to other offices, either in London or in other jurisdictions for meetings.
What We Offer
We empower you to be bold, driving your career to create the future you want. We celebrate and reward your achievements. SUSE is a dynamic environment that is evolving rapidly, thus requiring agility, strong entrepreneurship and an open mind. This is a compelling opportunity for the right person to join us as we continue to scale and prosper. If you’re a big thinker, obsessed by execution and thrive in a dynamic environment in which you can tangibly create a lasting legacy, then please apply now!
We give you the freedom to be yourself. You will work in a global community of unique individuals – like you – with different backgrounds, talents, skills and perspectives. A truly open community where everyone is welcome, has a voice and is encouraged to reach their full potential regardless of age, gender, race, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or any other characteristics.
Sounds like the right fit for you? Click Apply to submit your resume. A recruiter will contact you if your skills match our current or any future positions. In the meantime, stay updated on the latest SUSE news and job vacancies by joining our Talent Community.
SUSE Values: Choice, Innovation, Trust, Community
Commercial & IP Legal Counsel (remote) in Gildersome employer: SUSE
Contact Detail:
SUSE Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial & IP Legal Counsel (remote) in Gildersome
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those already at SUSE. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into SUSE's culture and values. Show us how your passion for open source aligns with our mission. We love candidates who can connect their experiences to what we stand for!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Commercial & IP Legal Counsel, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to handle complex agreements. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, keep an eye on our Talent Community for updates and new opportunities that might suit you.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial & IP Legal Counsel (remote) in Gildersome
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Commercial & IP Legal Counsel role. Highlight your familiarity with commercial contracts and open source licensing, as these are key to what we’re looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about open source and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention your language skills in German and English!
Showcase Your Legal Expertise: In your application, be sure to highlight any relevant legal experience, especially in drafting and negotiating commercial agreements. We want to see how you can contribute to our dynamic legal team!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll get to explore more about our culture and values while you’re at it!
How to prepare for a job interview at SUSE
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on commercial contracts and IP licensing, especially in the context of open source. Familiarise yourself with SUSE's products and how they relate to the DACH region. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also invested in the company’s mission.
✨Show Your Passion for Open Source
SUSE values a passion for open source, so be prepared to discuss your thoughts on its philosophy and how it impacts legal compliance. Share any experiences you've had with open source projects or communities, as this will demonstrate your commitment to the field.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that require you to think on your feet, like how you would handle specific legal challenges related to software licensing. Practise articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as this will showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to communicate complex ideas.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Remember, SUSE is looking for team players with a good sense of humour. Be personable and engage with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their experiences at SUSE and share your own stories to create a connection. This can make a lasting impression!