Senior General Counsel - Technology & IP

Placements24; London Borough of Newham; Hybrid; GBP 91,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus & stock options

Medical insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development

Hybrid work

East London office

IP strategy leadership

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior General Counsel with technology and IP law expertise to lead all legal affairs from our East London base.

You will oversee IP portfolios, licensing, contracts, data privacy, and regulatory compliance, advising the board and partnering with executives.

The role requires a JD/LLB, SA admission, 10+ years in tech transactions and corporate law, and a proven track record building robust IP strategies.

Qualifications

• JD or LLB from a recognized institution.
• Admission as an Attorney or Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant legal experience in technology transactions, IP, and corporate law.
• Proven experience in managing IP portfolios, including patent and trademark prosecution.
• In-depth knowledge of software licensing, SaaS models, open-source software issues, and data privacy regulations (POPIA).
• Strong negotiation and drafting skills for complex technology agreements.
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage all legal aspects of the company, including governance, contracts, litigation, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and implement strategies for protection, management, and enforcement of IP assets (patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets).
• Draft, review, and negotiate technology-related agreements (software licenses, SaaS, development, MSAs).
• Advise on data privacy and cybersecurity matters, ensuring POPIA compliance.
• Manage outside counsel on litigation and IP prosecution.
• Provide strategic legal counsel to the board and executive management.
• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing the technology sector.
• Oversee contract management processes and maintain a contract database.
• Contribute to strategic business decisions, advising on legal risks and opportunities.

Skills

Technology transactions

IP law expertise

Contract negotiation

Strategic leadership

Data privacy compliance

Education

JD or LLB

Tools

Open-source licensing

IP prosecution experience

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding technology firm specializing in innovative software solutions, is seeking a highly accomplished Senior General Counsel with expertise in Technology and Intellectual Property (IP) law. This critical role, based in East London, Eastern Cape, will oversee all legal affairs, with a strong emphasis on managing the company's IP portfolio, technology licensing, and data privacy compliance. You will be a key strategic partner to the executive team, guiding the company through its growth phase. The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility while ensuring essential collaboration with leadership and technical teams in East London.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage all legal aspects of the company, including corporate governance, contracts, litigation, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and implement comprehensive strategies for the protection, management, and enforcement of the company's intellectual property assets (patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets).
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of technology-related agreements, including software licenses, SaaS agreements, development agreements, partnership agreements, and master service agreements (MSAs).
• Advise on data privacy and cybersecurity matters, ensuring compliance with POPIA and other relevant regulations.
• Manage and direct outside counsel on specialized matters, including litigation and complex IP prosecution.
• Provide strategic legal counsel to the board of directors and executive management team on legal risks and opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing the technology sector.
• Oversee contract management processes and maintain a robust contract database.
• Contribute to strategic business decisions, advising on legal implications and risk mitigation.

Requirements

• A Juris Doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized institution.
• Admission as an Attorney or Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant legal experience, with a significant portion focused on technology transactions, intellectual property law, and corporate law.
• Proven experience in managing IP portfolios, including patent and trademark prosecution and strategy.
• In-depth knowledge of software licensing, SaaS models, open-source software issues, and data privacy regulations (e.g., POPIA).
• Strong negotiation and drafting skills for complex technology agreements.
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and provide pragmatic legal advice in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in managing corporate legal functions is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Highly competitive annual salary package up to ZAR , reflecting your extensive experience and expertise.
• Executive-level performance bonus and stock options.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous retirement savings plan.
• Significant budget for professional development, conferences, and continuing legal education.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility.
• A dynamic and innovative work environment in East London.
• The opportunity to shape the legal and IP strategy of a growing technology leader.