At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead legal negotiations for AI SaaS deals and ensure compliance across EMEA.
- Company: Join a cutting-edge AI lab with a talented team from top tech companies.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Play a key role in expanding into new markets across EMEA.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI innovation while shaping legal strategies in a dynamic market.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in commercial contracts, experience in high-velocity tech preferred.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are an applied AI lab building end-to-end software agents. We're the makers of Devin, the first AI software engineer, and Windsurf, the AI-native IDE. Together, they represent our vision for collaborative AI teammates that enable engineers to focus on more interesting problems and empower teams to strive for more ambitious goals. Our team is small and talent-dense. Among our founding team, we have world-class competitive programmers, former founders, and leaders from companies at the cutting edge of AI including Scale AI, Palantir, Cursor, Waymo, Tesla, Lunchclub, Modal, Google DeepMind, and Nuro. Building Devin and Windsurf is just the first step—our hardest challenges still lie ahead. If you’re excited to solve some of the world’s biggest problems and build AI that can reason on real-world tasks, apply to join us.
About the Role
As Commercial Counsel for EMEA, you will sit at the centre of a fast-moving commercial legal function, managing a high-volume workflow of complex negotiations across AI SaaS licensing, marketing, and partnership agreements. You will be the primary legal voice in enterprise-level deals, balancing risk and reward with pragmatism and speed, and ensuring closures that are both fair and commercially sound. This role carries real weight. You will serve as the connective tissue between EMEA markets and a US-based technical and operational team, translating local legal and regulatory requirements into guidance that non-legal stakeholders can act on. That means deep fluency in GDPR, the EU AI Act, DORA, and the broader compliance landscape across the region, and the confidence to advise clearly under pressure.
Beyond day-to-day deal work, you will play a meaningful part in the company's regional expansion, working cross-functionally to establish and launch new markets across EMEA. If you want a legal role with genuine strategic scope, this is it.
In this role you will:
- Lead responsibility for all GTM deals and contract work out of EU and MENA
- Manage GDPR compliance and DPAs
- Manage local regulatory compliance (DORA, EU AI Act, EU Data Act, etc.)
- Manage a high-volume workflow, redlining and negotiating key legal documents, including Licensing, SaaS agreements, and NDAs
- Provide crucial legal guidance, balancing risk/reward, with an understanding of local requirements and parlaying that to a US-based technical and operational team
- Engage with enterprise-level counsel, ensuring swift and fair deal closures
- Advise on compliance with local regulations, including GDPR, EU AI Act, and DORA
- Work collaboratively across teams to establish and launch new markets in EMEA, including providing regulatory and compliance guidance for operating in new regions
Ideally you have:
- 7+ years experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, including international trans-national commercial arrangements
- Experience with high-velocity tech company preferred
- Transnational body of work, including Europe, Middle East, and Asia/South Asia
- Must have experience working from local market for US-based company
- Bonus if experience includes launching new markets in EU/MENA localities
Equal Opportunity
Cognition is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities throughout the hiring process - please let us know if you need any.
EMEA Commercial Counsel for AI SaaS & Compliance employer: Windsurf Inc.
At Cognition, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As part of a small, talent-dense team at the forefront of AI technology, you will have unparalleled opportunities for professional growth while contributing to meaningful projects that tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges. Our commitment to employee development, coupled with our inclusive environment and focus on compliance across EMEA, makes us an attractive choice for those seeking a rewarding legal career in a fast-paced, cutting-edge industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land EMEA Commercial Counsel for AI SaaS & Compliance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the AI and legal sectors on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare a few case studies or examples of your past work that highlight your skills in negotiating complex contracts. Bring these up in conversations to demonstrate your value.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a company you're keen on, don’t wait for them to post a job. Reach out directly through our website and express your interest. You never know what opportunities might be available!
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on industry trends! Follow news about AI regulations and compliance. Being knowledgeable will not only help you in interviews but also show that you're genuinely interested in the field.
We think you need these skills to ace EMEA Commercial Counsel for AI SaaS & Compliance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the EMEA Commercial Counsel role. Highlight your experience with AI SaaS, GDPR, and compliance, as these are key areas for us. Show us how your skills align with our mission!
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills:Since this role involves a lot of contract negotiation, give us examples of your past experiences where you successfully managed complex negotiations. We want to see how you balance risk and reward in your approach.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless necessary. We appreciate directness, especially when it comes to legal matters!
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 us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Windsurf Inc.
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of GDPR, the EU AI Act, and DORA. Being able to discuss these regulations confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the legal landscape but can also translate complex legal jargon into actionable advice for non-legal stakeholders.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've led, especially in high-pressure situations. Highlight how you balanced risk and reward while ensuring swift deal closures. This will demonstrate your ability to manage a high-volume workflow effectively.
✨Understand the Company’s Vision
Familiarise yourself with the company’s products like Devin and Windsurf. Understanding their vision for collaborative AI teammates will help you align your legal strategies with their business goals, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Be Ready for Cross-Functional Collaboration
Think about how you can work with technical and operational teams to launch new markets in EMEA. Prepare to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated across departments in the past, as this role requires strong teamwork skills.
