Senior Counsel, Commercial

As a Senior Counsel, Commercial at Zuora, you will be primarily tasked with developing influential relationships within the Global Sales team, offering strategic advice and transaction support, and advancing Zuora’s revenue generation strategies. Your role also involves collaborating with other legal colleagues on crucial issues like privacy compliance, IP protections, and overseeing M&A due diligence, all while managing a team effectively.

The ideal candidate for the Senior Counsel, Commercial position at Zuora should possess a Juris Doctor (JD) or an equivalent degree from an accredited law school. Additionally, candidates must have at least five years of relevant legal experience, particularly in-house experience that focuses on complex commercial contract negotiations within the technology sector. Familiarity with SaaS Sales teams is also advantageous.

At Zuora, we pride ourselves on having a respectful and empowering culture. As a Senior Counsel, Commercial, you will be part of a supportive team that values collaboration and empathy. Our leadership encourages open communication and a problem-solving mindset, ensuring that everyone feels heard and respected. This supportive environment allows you to thrive both personally and professionally.

To excel as a Senior Counsel, Commercial at Zuora, indispensable skills include strong legal expertise, excellent judgment, and the ability to communicate concisely and effectively. Furthermore, being empathetic and customer-oriented is crucial for understanding the business goals and pressures of cross-functional teams. You should also possess strong organizational abilities to handle multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Zuora offers remarkable opportunities for professional growth for a Senior Counsel, Commercial. By working closely with an innovative leadership team and engaging in meaningful projects, you will continuously develop your legal skills and business acumen. Our culture encourages continuous learning, and you will have the chance to influence key strategies within the company, propelling your career forward.

When addressing your experience with commercial contract negotiations, focus on specific instances where you navigated complex deals. Highlight your approach to balancing legal requirements with business needs, and any strategies you used to ensure favorable outcomes. Use examples that demonstrate your collaborative skills and your ability to think critically under pressure.

To effectively respond to conflicts during negotiations, share an experience where a disagreement arose, explaining the context, your approach to conflict resolution, and the strategies you employed to reach a mutual agreement. Emphasize your communication skills and how empathy plays a role in understanding differing perspectives.

Demonstrate your knowledge of privacy regulations by discussing specific compliance frameworks you've implemented in past roles. Explain how you stay updated with changes in laws and the strategies you use to align business practices with compliance requirements. This answer highlights your proactive approach and commitment to legal standards.

In your response, share time management techniques that you employ, such as prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, and utilizing project management tools. Provide an example where effective organization allowed you to achieve a successful outcome despite a challenging timeline, showcasing your resilience and planning skills.

Explain how collaboration is integral to your work as a commercial lawyer, providing examples of successful teamwork. Highlight your experience working with people from various functions, how you communicate legal concepts to non-legal colleagues, and how you leverage different perspectives to influence decisions positively.

Discuss specific initiatives you've led or participated in that focused on developing best practices, such as streamlining contract processes or enhancing compliance measures. Detail the outcomes of these initiatives and how they improved efficiency or mitigated risks, demonstrating your commitment to continuous improvement.

Provide an example of a situation where legal requirements changed suddenly, impacting your work. Discuss how you quickly adapted your strategies or processes to remain compliant while meeting business needs, showcasing your agility and problem-solving abilities.

Address common challenges in commercial law, such as navigating complex regulations or balancing client expectations with legal limits. Share strategies you've developed for overcoming these challenges, whether through continuous education, seeking guidance from peers, or honing your negotiation skills.

Convey your commitment to professional development by discussing how you stay informed about legal trends. Mention resources you utilize, such as legal journals, conferences, or networking with other professionals. This highlights your proactive approach and dedication to being a knowledgeable practitioner.

Articulate your vision for making a positive impact at Zuora. Discuss specific contributions you aim to make, whether improving legal processes, enhancing team collaboration, or driving strategic initiatives that align with business goals, reinforcing your drive to add value to the organization.