Senior Legal Counsel & AI-Driven Operations Architect

Phocas Software; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Phocas Software seeks a Senior Legal Counsel to lead as the principal in-house legal resource, driving SaaS contract negotiations and the development of AI-assisted playbooks to scale the function beyond headcount.

Reporting to the CFO, you will own the full contract lifecycle, oversee privacy and AI governance across AU/NZ/UK/US, and manage corporate governance and entity structures. There is potential for M&A support as opportunities arise.

Qualifications

• Experience drafting and negotiating SaaS/commercial contracts.
• Knowledge of data privacy and global regulatory frameworks (AU/NZ/UK/US).
• Ability to implement templates, workflows, and AI-assisted tooling.
• Ability to work autonomously as sole in-house legal resource.
• Willingness to grow into General Counsel leadership.

Responsibilities

• Own the full contract lifecycle, including MSAs, DPAs, and employment terms.
• Develop privacy and AI governance across AU, NZ, UK, and US.
• Manage corporate governance and entity management.
• Provide M&A support as opportunities arise.
• Build legal operations playbooks and automation to scale.

Skills

SaaS contracts

Commercial negotiation

Data privacy frameworks

AI governance

Legal operations

In-house autonomy

Job description

Phocas Software seeks a Senior Legal Counsel to lead as the principal in-house legal resource, driving SaaS contract negotiations and the development of AI-assisted playbooks to scale the function beyond headcount.

Reporting to the CFO, you will own the full contract lifecycle, oversee privacy and AI governance across AU/NZ/UK/US, and manage corporate governance and entity structures. There is potential for M&A support as opportunities arise.