Commercial Counsel

Runway; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Runway is seeking a Commercial Counsel to join its legal team as an early hire, focusing on B2B SaaS customer negotiations and strategic IP-heavy partnerships. The role requires a J.D.

and active state bar admission, with a minimum of six years negotiating complex commercial contracts in a fast-paced environment. You will collaborate with executive, sales, partnerships and marketing teams to shape commercial strategy, implement scalable processes, and advise on product and policy matters related

Qualifications

• Requires Juris Doctor and active U.S. state bar membership.
• 6+ years negotiating complex commercial contracts, in-house preferred at late-stage/private or mid-sized public B2B SaaS.
• Experience with strategic IP-heavy partnerships is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiations for B2B SaaS customer contracts, APIs, DPAs, vendor and partnership agreements.
• Design and implement scalable commercial processes, playbooks, templates and legal tech infra.
• Provide sales with tools, training and knowledge to accelerate deal closures.
• Develop technical understanding of Runway's generative AI products to offer practical business advice.
• Manage external counsel on specialized matters as needed.

Skills

Bar admission

Contract negotiation

SaaS experience

IP partnerships

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

New York, United States (Open to SF, Seattle, or Remote US)

J.D. and active state bar membership; 6+ years of experience negotiating complex commercial contracts, with significant experience in a fast-paced late-stage private or mid-sized public B2B SaaS company; experience with strategic IP-heavy partnerships.

Complete Guide: Commercial Counsel at Runway

Runway, a pioneer in generative AI and world models, is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Commercial Counsel to join its growing legal team. As an early legal hire, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the legal landscape of generative AI video technology. The role is primarily focused on B2B SaaS customer negotiations and strategic, IP-heavy partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

The Commercial Counsel will act as a strategic partner to Runway's executive, sales, partnerships, and marketing teams. Primary duties include:

• Contract Negotiation: Leading negotiations for B2B SaaS customer contracts, APIs, Data Processing Agreements (DPAs), vendor agreements, and complex partnership agreements.
• Process Optimization: Designing and implementing scalable commercial processes, legal playbooks, templates, and legal technology infrastructure.
• Sales Empowerment: Providing the sales team with the necessary tools, training, and knowledge to accelerate deal closures.
• Product & Industry Alignment: Developing a deep technical understanding of Runway's generative AI products to provide informed, practical business advice, while keeping abreast of global AI policy and legal developments.
• Counsel Management: Managing external counsel on specialized matters as required.

Eligibility & Requirements

To be considered for this role, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Education & Bar Admission: A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 6 years of experience negotiating complex commercial contracts, with substantial experience in-house at a fast-paced, late-stage private or mid-sized public B2B SaaS company.
• Specialized Knowledge: Proven track record with strategic, IP-heavy partnerships. Experience with B2C legal issues and privacy programs (marketing, user data, enterprise compliance) is highly desirable.
• Core Competencies: Strong business acumen, a bias for action, a growth mindset, and experience scaling business processes globally.

Location & Compensation

While Runway has a preference for candidates located in the New York City (Eastern Time Zone) area, they are also open to hiring out of their San Francisco and Seattle offices, or on a remote basis across the United States. Compensation packages are competitive and tailored based on experience, location, and qualifications.