Senior Sole Counsel

Clifton Search; Leeds; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Clifton Search is seeking a Senior Sole Counsel to lead and manage the legal function for a newly acquired part of a global technology group. The role is UK-based, autonomous, and will interface with the CEO and international teams.

You will shape commercial contracts, licensing, data protection, and IP strategy across borders, with a hands-on leadership style. The position requires UK qualification, senior leadership experience in a software/tech environment, and the ability to operate across

Qualifications

• UK qualified solicitor with senior/lead experience.
• Experience in a Software Tech environment.
• Experience with international contracts and contracts governed by foreign laws.
• Experience of software licensing, SaaS, IaaS, PaaS.
• Experience advising on data protection, privacy and consumer laws.
• IP portfolio management and AI/ML regulatory strategy.

Responsibilities

• Full legal responsibility across the newly acquired organisation.
• Advising, negotiating and leading on a wide range of commercial contracts.
• Lead on contracts with international customers and cross-border issues.
• Negotiate high-value agreements and manage risk in software licensing.
• Oversee privacy, data protection compliance and regulatory strategy.
• Provide strategic legal advice to leadership and CEO in a global group.

Skills

Lead experience

International contracts

Software/Tech sector

Data protection/compliance

IP portfolio management

AI/ML regulatory strategy

Hands-on / flexible

Education

UK Qualified Solicitor

Job description

Our client is a highly acquisitive global organisation operating within the Software/Content/Media/Telco sector.

As a result of further growth and a recent acquisition we are looking for a Senior Sole Counsel to be the lead lawyer for a newly acquired part of the group.

The position will report to the internationally based CEO sitting in a wider global group of companies.

This is a standalone and highly autonomous role within an ambitious and multi-layered organisation and will require a hands on approach across the business.

You'll regularly work with colleagues and customers from all over the world in a truly borderless role.

We are looking for a UK based senior level lawyer with extensive experience gained within the software Technology sector.

Main responsibilities

Full legal responsibility across the newly acquired organisation

Advising and negotiating and leading on a wide range of commercial contracts.

Significant lead experience of international contracts, or contracts subject to foreign laws and jurisdiction.

Robust negotiation skills, especially in the context of high-value contracts with customers.

Experience of working with, or within a software, Media/ telecoms company.

Experience of software licensing contracts, together with SaaS, IaaS, PaaS

Experience of advising in relation to global data protection issues

Lead compliance management efforts related to privacy and consumer protection laws.

AI/ML Regulatory Strategy

IP Portfolio Management

Person

UK Qualified Solicitor with senior level/lead experience. (Head of legal/Director)

International experience gained in a Software Tech environment.

UK based

Hands on and flexible approach

US experience helpful