Commercial Counsel (DACH)

As a Commercial Counsel at Synthesia, your primary responsibilities will include drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of commercial agreements such as service agreements, software licenses, data processing agreements, and NDAs. You'll provide legal advice on intellectual property, data privacy, and go-to-market strategies to ensure that our sales and partnership efforts are well-supported. Additionally, you will develop policies and playbooks to streamline operations and stay current with relevant laws and regulations.

To be considered for the Commercial Counsel role at Synthesia, candidates must possess a completed law degree from an accredited institution and be qualified to practice law as an in-house attorney. A minimum of 4 years of post-qualification experience, particularly in commercial transactions within tech sectors, is essential. Also, experience negotiating customer agreements across EMEA regions and knowledge of data processing agreements in relation to GDPR and CCPA are important.

At Synthesia, the culture is centered around building and collaboration. This supportive environment allows Commercial Counsel to thrive by encouraging bold ideas and teamwork. Our principles emphasize empowering team members, making it easier for you to deliver effective legal counsel while actively participating in the rapid growth of the company. Regular socials and company retreats also foster a tight-knit community.

Successful Commercial Counsel at Synthesia should possess exceptional drafting and negotiating skills, particularly in commercial agreements. They should have a deep understanding of cloud services and technology contracts, along with the ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a clear manner for non-lawyers. A proactive approach to problem-solving and a keen interest in staying updated on regulatory developments are also crucial.

Joining Synthesia as a Commercial Counsel presents a huge opportunity for career growth. As we progress from a Series C scale-up to an established company, you will have the chance to take on increased responsibilities, influence our legal strategies, and work alongside driven professionals. This role is set to be a defining point in your career as we continue to expand and innovate.

When answering this question, focus on specific examples where you've successfully negotiated terms that were favorable for your employer. Highlight any challenges you faced during negotiations and how you overcame them, demonstrating your ability to balance legal risk and business objectives effectively.

Mention the resources you use to remain informed about legal regulations, such as subscribing to industry newsletters, attending webinars, and participating in professional organizations. Discuss any specific examples where your knowledge of these regulations positively impacted your work.

Explain how you translate complex legal jargon into digestible information tailored for your audience. Provide an instance where you successfully communicated a legal concept to a non-lawyer, reflecting on any feedback received that indicated your effectiveness.

Describe a situation where you had multiple deadlines and priorities. Detail the steps you took to assess the importance of each task and how you communicated with your team to align expectations, showcasing your organizational and time management skills.

Share your drafting process by outlining steps such as gathering key information, understanding the parties' needs, and ensuring legal compliance. Provide examples of how your attention to detail has led to successful outcomes in past agreements.

Discuss your collaborative approach to resolving such disagreements, emphasizing open communication and finding a solution that satisfies both the legal and business perspectives. Give an example of a previous disagreement and how you navigated it.

Share your insights on Synthesia’s innovative approach to AI video communication and rapid growth within the sector. Discuss how this unique positioning could create exciting opportunities and challenges for the role of Commercial Counsel.

Illustrate your thought process when faced with this dilemma, perhaps providing an example where you balanced legal considerations with business needs. Discuss methodologies you employ for risk assessment and decision-making.

Highlight your knowledge of data privacy regulations and your experience in negotiating data processing agreements. Discuss specific challenges you have faced and how you addressed them to safeguard company interests.

Express enthusiasm for Synthesia’s mission to simplify video creation, mentioning how its rapid growth and innovative culture align with your career aspirations. Highlight your skills and experiences that will contribute to the company’s success.