Commercial Counsel

Canto; Springfield (IL); Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work

Collaborative culture

Learning by doing

Growth opportunities

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

Canto is building its first in-house legal function focused on commercial contracting to accelerate deal velocity and scale the business. Reporting to the CFO, you will design and operate an AI-enabled contracting function, own end-to-end contracting operations, and partner with Sales, Finance, and executives.

If you thrive in a builder environment and want to shape the future of legal at a scaling SaaS company, this is your role.

Qualifications

• JD and active bar membership in good standing.
• 5–8 years of legal experience in SaaS or technology.
• Experience negotiating commercial SaaS agreements (MSAs, DPAs, and NDAs).
• Working knowledge of GDPR, CCPA privacy rules.
• Ability to build processes from scratch in a scaling environment.
• Experience partnering with Sales and go-to-market teams.
• Interest in legal tech and AI-driven workflows.

Responsibilities

• Drive Commercial Contracting & Sales Enablement.
• Negotiate SaaS agreements including MSAs, DPAs, NDAs.
• Enforce company positions on non-standard terms and manage escalation.
• Train Sales to handle routine negotiations.
• Lead end-to-end contracting operations and CLM.
• Leverage AI tools for contract review and automation.
• Manage vendor contracting and data privacy responsibilities.
• Partner with Security on privacy events and regulatory needs.
• Serve as primary legal advisor across commercial matters.
• Oversee outside counsel relationships in US and Europe.

Skills

SaaS contracting

Data privacy

Cross-functional collaboration

Independent builder mindset

Education

JD

Bar admission

Job description

Build Your Career at Canto Where Innovation Meets Impact

At Canto, we’re not just transforming digital asset management—we’re creating a workplace where talented individuals can thrive. As a leader in DAM, we empower businesses to organize, manage, and distribute their digital assets seamlessly.

4

,000+ customers worldwide

, our success is driven by passionate people who bring creativity, collaboration, and innovation to everything they do.Joining Canto means becoming part of a dynamic team where your contributions truly matter.We foster a culture of continuous learning, open communication, and hands-on impact. Here, you'll have the opportunity to take on exciting challenges, develop your skills, and grow alongside a company that’s making waves in the industry. We believe in supporting our team members, valuing fresh ideas, and celebrating every success together.If you're looking for a career where you can make a difference, expand your expertise, and be part of a global community, Canto is the place for you. We’re growing fast and looking for driven individuals who are ready to shape the future with us.

Role

Commercial Counsel

Location

US - Remote EST & CST Preferred (See eligible states below)

Company Overview

Canto is reshaping the digital asset management (DAM) landscape. Our platform offers a singular source for brands to organize, access, and share digital assets, amplifying content value, accelerating production, and ensuring brand consistency. With an emphasis on efficiency and collaboration, we provide data-driven insights and harness AI to help companies not just manage but maximize their digital content. At Canto, we're more than a DAM solution; we're a catalyst for brand evolution. Join our mission to transform the DAM category and empower brands to extract unparalleled value from their digital assets. It's such an exciting time to join the Canto Team. We have great people here already, and we are growing rapidly - we look forward to hearing from you if you match the role below.

Job Overview

Canto is hiring its first in-house legal leader to build and scale a modern legal function from the ground up. This role is focused on commercial contracting as a strategic driver of growth — not just risk mitigation. Reporting to the CFO, you will design and operate an AI-enabled contracting function that accelerates deal velocity, reduces friction, and enables the business to scale efficiently and effectively. Within your first six months, you will own our end-to-end contracting operations, implement foundational systems and playbooks, and establish yourself as the primary legal partner across Sales, Finance, and the executive team. If you thrive in a builder environment and want to define what great legal looks like at a scaling SaaS company, this role is for you.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Drive Commercial Contracting & Sales Enablement
• Own negotiation and execution of commercial SaaS agreements — including MSAs, subscription agreements, DPAs, and NDAs — while enabling the business to move quickly within defined guardrails.
• Enforce company positions on non-standard terms and manage escalation paths, improving time-to-signature without increasing legal or commercial risk.
• Train and enable Sales to handle routine negotiations independently, reducing legal bottlenecks at scale.
• Own & Scale Contracting Operations
• Lead the end-to-end contracting function for all customer and vendor agreements, building a scalable, AI-enabled operation that reduces manual work and accelerates deal cycles.
• Implement and manage a Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system, including templates, negotiation playbooks, approval workflows, and delegation of authority controls.
• Leverage AI-driven legal tools for contract review, risk flagging, and workflow automation — actively identifying opportunities to reduce outside counsel reliance over time.
• Manage Risk Across Vendor Relationships, Privacy, and Governance
• Own vendor contracting and procurement legal processes, maintaining a contract repository with proactive tracking of key terms and obligations.
• Lead legal aspects of data privacy — including DPA negotiation and regulatory alignment with GDPR, CCPA, and related frameworks — and monitor evolving requirements across Canto's operating and customer geographies.
• Partner with Security, Product, and Executive Leadership on emerging legal and regulatory requirements related to AI, data governance, automated decision‑making, IP, and responsible AI practices.
• Lead the Legal Function
• Serve as the primary legal advisor across commercial and operational matters, managing outside counsel relationships across the US and Europe with a focus on cost efficiency and minimizing routine escalations.
• Handle disputes and pre‑litigation matters with a pragmatic, resolution‑oriented approach, and advise on Canto's corporate entity compliance program.
• Partner with Security during privacy and security events, coordinating on notification obligations, contractual commitments, regulatory requirements, and privilege preservation.

Qualifications & Experience Needed to Be Successful in This Role

Required

• JD and active bar membership in good standing.
• 5–8 years of legal experience in SaaS or technology, in‑house or a mix of law firm and in‑house.
• Strong experience negotiating commercial SaaS agreements, including MSAs, subscription agreements, DPAs, and NDAs.
• Working knowledge of data privacy frameworks, including GDPR, CCPA, and related regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently, build processes from scratch, and establish legal infrastructure in a scaling environment.
• Experience partnering with Sales and go‑to‑market teams in a high‑velocity commercial environment.
• Clear interest in legal technology and AI‑driven workflows, with a commitment to building a modern, tech‑enabled legal function.

Preferred

• Hands‑on experience with CLM systems and AI‑enabled legal review or drafting tools.
• Background in multi‑entity, multi‑jurisdiction SaaS businesses with US and EU exposure.
• Prior experience as an early or first in‑house legal hire.
• Familiarity with vendor, partner, or channel contracting models.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable guidance for non‑legal stakeholders.
• Commercial judgment and pragmatism — able to balance legal risk with business velocity and act as a trusted partner, not a gatekeeper.
• Comfort with ambiguity and a builder's mindset; able to create structure, systems, and process where none exist.
• Ability to leverage AI tools for contract review, workflow automation, and legal operations — and a proactive approach to identifying new efficiencies through technology.
• Cross‑functional collaboration skills and a track record of building trust with Sales, Finance, and executive stakeholders.

Eligible States

Note: Candidates located in the EST and CST time zones preferred due to frequent work with international team members. This position is eligible for hire in the following states: AL, AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OR, PA, SC, TX, UT, WA, and WI. Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to one of these states at the time of employment. This list may be subject to change based on operational requirements.

What's So Great About Canto – Elevate Your Journey with Canto

• Start‑Up Spirit: Embrace the excitement and flexibility of a growing company.
• Hands‑On Impact: Your work directly contributes to our success.
• Learning by Doing: Our growth plans provide real‑time learning.
• Close‑Knit Team: Enjoy a tight‑knit, supportive work environment.
• Open Communication: We value transparency and open dialogue.
• Problem‑Solver's Paradise: Apply creativity to real‑world challenges.
• Work‑Life Harmony: We respect the balance between personal and professional life.
• Growth Opportunities: As we grow, so do opportunities for our team.
• Cultural Exchange: Learn from diverse colleagues in a global setting.

How We Do It – Our Values

We are Customer Obsessed. We make it our mission to understand our customers and their challenges. Through our actions, we make our customers' work easier.

We Own the Outcome. We set goals based on outcomes that matter, measure our results, and up our game. We are action oriented - changing course when we need to and committing when things go right.

We are Transparent, Curious, and Candid. We are truth‑tellers, and default to transparency to build trust and collaboration. We are curious to learn more before we evaluate and decide. We bring a point of view and have the courage to share it.

We Treat Everyone with Respect and Empathy. Always. We respect each other and have fun. As one global team, we are made better by valuing different perspectives embracing diversity in experience and thought.

Canto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We do not discriminate against qualified employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, sexual preference, sexual identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military status, or any other characteristic protected by local law or ordinance.

Why Canto is the Place to Be!

• Ignite Your Potential: Join a fast‑growing company where innovation and agility fuel success.
• Make an Impact: Your ideas and efforts directly shape our future—every contribution matters.
• Learn, Grow, Thrive: Gain real‑world experience and develop new skills as we scale.
• Stronger Together: Be part of a close‑knit, supportive team that values collaboration and camaraderie.
• Your Voice Matters: We foster open communication and transparency so every idea is heard.
• Turn Challenges into Triumphs: Solve meaningful problems with creativity and confidence.
• Balance that Works for You: We believe success comes from a healthy work‑life harmony.
• Endless Growth Potential: As we rise, so do you. Step into new opportunities and grow with us.
• Global Perspective: Work alongside diverse, talented colleagues and broaden your horizons.

Canto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We do not discriminate against qualified employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, sexual preference, sexual identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military status, or any other characteristic protected by local law or ordinance.