Commercial Counsel
Runway
last date
Open Access
Location/Place/Mode
New York, United States (Open to SF, Seattle, or Remote US)
Eligibility
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.
Opportunity
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.
Application Process
Interested candidates can apply directly through the official LinkedIn job posting. Ensure your resume highlights your experience with B2B SaaS negotiations and IP transactions.