Senior Corporate Counsel, Growth & Governance

Perplexity; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Perplexity AI is seeking a Principal Counsel, Corporate to own governance, equity administration, and financings as the company scales globally. You’ll lead board and stockholder governance, draft agreements, and manage equity programs with Finance, Accounting, Tax and People teams, alongside executives and investors.

This hands-on role requires deep private-company securities experience, sharp cap-table skills, and independent judgment as the first owner of the workstream, helping build a

Qualifications

• JD and active US state bar membership, or eligible to register as in-house counsel in California.
• 9+ years of law firm and/or in-house experience.
• Experience leading venture or growth equity financings and corporate governance for high-growth private tech companies.
• Deep familiarity with cap-table mechanics and equity compensation administration.
• Strong business acumen and ability to partner with finance, accounting, people, and executives.
• Clear communication with business and technical audiences; translate legal concepts for non-lawyers.
• Hands-on attitude with a low-ego approach to cross-functional work.
• Collaborative, adaptable to change and fast-paced, with integrity and curiosity.

Responsibilities

• Lead corporate governance for Perplexity and subsidiaries, including meeting prep and records.
• Structure, draft, and negotiate equity and debt financings from term sheet to closing.
• Own secondary transactions and liquidity programs, with stockholder communications.
• Support equity compensation and cap-table administration with relevant teams.
• Assist M&A and strategic investments, manage outside counsel and budgets.
• Build scalable corporate legal infrastructure and templates.
• Monitor market developments and translate them into practical guidance for executives and board.

Skills

Venture financing

Corporate governance

Cap-table management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Communication

Independent judgment

Education

JD + active US state bar

Tools

Carta

Job description

Perplexity AI is seeking a Principal Counsel, Corporate to own governance, equity administration, and financings as the company scales globally. You’ll lead board and stockholder governance, draft agreements, and manage equity programs with Finance, Accounting, Tax and People teams, alongside executives and investors.

This hands-on role requires deep private-company securities experience, sharp cap-table skills, and independent judgment as the first owner of the workstream, helping build a