Role overview

AI71 is a leading artificial intelligence company delivering enterprise solutions across multiple sectors. As the organization expands, it is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to manage its growing portfolio of commercial agreements and complex legal matters. This role combines hands-on contract work with the opportunity to build and shape the legal function from its foundation.

Key responsibilities

Lead the drafting, negotiation and review of customer-facing and revenue-generating agreements, including framework agreements, SaaS arrangements, support contracts and statements of work across designated business verticals.
Provide legal leadership on high-value, complex and strategic matters, including potential mergers and acquisitions, with pragmatic and commercially sound advice to business stakeholders.
Advise on data-sharing, licensing terms and the translation of AI, data-protection and privacy requirements into practical guardrails for product and engineering teams.
Develop core legal infrastructure including risk-tiered contract templates, playbooks, repository systems and self-service capabilities to transition the function from reactive to proactive.
Mentor junior legal team members and assume supervisory responsibilities as the team expands.
Build and manage relationships with external law firms and advisors across relevant jurisdictions to ensure cost-effective support.
Handle disputes and potential disputes, instructing external counsel to achieve cost-effective resolution.

Requirements

Approximately 6–10 years of post-qualification experience, including in-house legal work, preferably at a technology, SaaS, fintech or high-growth organization.
Strong background in commercial contracting across the complete lifecycle, with demonstrated expertise in drafting and negotiating framework agreements, SaaS licensing, statements of work and non-disclosure agreements, plus understanding of intellectual property and revenue protection provisions.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with high emotional intelligence, collaborative approach and demonstrated ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
Strong commercial judgment, pragmatic problem-solving ability and a commercially-minded approach to risk assessment rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions.
High credibility and strong ethical standards with willingness to escalate concerns appropriately.
Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment with strong organizational and prioritization skills.
Qualified lawyer with a law degree; open to civil or common law jurisdiction backgrounds and fluent in English both written and spoken.
Some experience mentoring or supervising junior lawyers, or demonstrated readiness and willingness to move into people-management responsibilities.

What makes this role worth considering

This position offers the distinctive opportunity to build a modern legal function at the ground level within a mission-driven AI company working on cutting-edge applications across critical sectors. As a foundational team member, you will have significant influence over processes, systems and culture while working alongside talented colleagues and accessing world-leading technology resources. The role combines immediate hands-on legal work with clear pathways for leadership and career growth.