Chief Legal Officer

UpGuard is on a mission to safeguard the world's data. We strive to discover and implement innovative solutions that empower our customers to identify, acknowledge, and mitigate cyber risk. Our software and security expertise help organizations automate previously cumbersome processes. Trusted by some of the largest and most innovative companies, UpGuard is at the forefront of cybersecurity. Our Legal team plays a crucial role in identifying, managing, and resolving legal risks quickly to support our business objectives. We ensure that UpGuard's operations adhere to current laws and regulations while enabling informed decision-making across the organization. This is an excellent opportunity for someone eager to engage with diverse legal challenges in a high-growth environment. We are seeking a seasoned Chief Legal Officer (CLO) to oversee our legal department as we prepare for our pre-IPO phase. Reporting directly to the COO, the CLO will cultivate important relationships within the company and with external stakeholders. This role is ideal for a dynamic attorney ready to lead the legal structure of a rapidly scaling cybersecurity organization. Key Responsibilities: • Serve as a strategic legal advisor to executive leadership, proactively identifying potential risks and opportunities to facilitate informed decision-making. • Develop and expand a technology-driven legal team, utilizing AI and automation to enhance efficiency and responsiveness. • Lead an effective B2B SaaS contracting team, implementing scalable processes to expedite agreements while minimizing risk. • Provide strategic legal counsel on product matters to product, engineering, and go-to-market teams, addressing legal issues to support compliant product launches. • Establish and oversee a comprehensive compliance program covering data privacy laws, trade compliance, anti-bribery policies, AI governance, and ethical standards. • Manage corporate legal matters, including governance, equity administration, employment issues, mergers and acquisitions, and fundraising activities. • Direct the intellectual property strategy, proactively managing trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets. Qualifications: • At least 10 years of legal experience, with a significant background in-house at an international B2B SaaS organization. • A minimum of 4 years in a leadership role, with proven experience in building and managing legal teams. • A law degree and an active license to practice law. • Strong ability to integrate legal, technical, and business views, offering actionable legal guidance aligned with corporate goals. • Robust understanding of sell-side SaaS contracts and experience with complex negotiations across various buyer types. • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, providing timely, business-friendly legal support to global and remote teams. • Broad knowledge in commercial contracts, corporate governance, data privacy, AI governance, employment law, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, and marketing. • Experience with AI tools and workflow automation to enhance legal operations and meet business demands effectively. What We Offer: • Monthly Lifestyle Subsidy: Financial, physical, and mental wellness support for all regions. • WFH Set-Up Allowance: Assistance for creating a suitable home office environment within your first 3 months. • $1500 Annual Learning & Development Allowance: Support for your professional growth through reimbursements for educational opportunities. • Generous Annual Leave/PTO: Ample time to rest and rejuvenate. • 18 Weeks Paid Parental Leave: Available regardless of parenting role. • Personal Leave Allowance: Includes sick and family care leave. • Fully Remote Work Environment: While we have offices in Sydney and Hobart, attendance is not mandatory. • Top-Notch Hardware: All team members receive high-performance laptops for their roles. • Advanced AI & Automation Tools: Access to leading generative AI tools to enhance your work. UpGuard is recognized as a Great Place to Work in multiple countries, confirming its position as a premier global technology employer. Join us to find out why 99% of our team members believe UpGuard is a great place to work! We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status. For US applicants, please note that we currently support hiring only in the following states: CA, MD, MA, IL, OR, WA, CO, TX, FL, PA, LA, MO, or DC. Candidates will be required to complete a national police history check and reference checks before starting. We do not support candidates requiring visa sponsorship or relocation at this time.