Associate Counsel – Software Licensing & Commercial Contracts (preference Research Triangle Area)

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a wide range of commercial agreements, including Software License Agreements, SaaS and Subscription Agreements, Master Services Agreements (MSAs), Statements of Work (SOWs), Data Processing Agreements (DPAs), Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Vendor and Procurement Agreements, Professional Services Agreements, Partnership and Reseller Agreements.
• Advise business stakeholders on contract interpretation, obligations, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Support negotiations with customers, strategic partners, and third-party service providers.
• Identify and assess legal, regulatory, financial, and operational risks associated with commercial transactions.
• Provide guidance regarding intellectual property, software licensing models, open-source software usage, and data privacy requirements.
• Advise on compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including privacy and cybersecurity requirements.
• Develop and maintain contract templates, playbooks, and negotiation guidelines.
• Collaborate with Sales, Product Management, Engineering, Information Security, and Finance teams to facilitate efficient deal execution.
• Provide practical legal advice that balances business objectives with risk management.
• Aid in resolving contractual disputes and escalations.
• Support internal legal initiatives.
• Support outside counsel relationships when necessary.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• 4+ years of legal experience, including significant experience negotiating technology and software licensing agreements.
• Strong knowledge of: SaaS and software licensing models, Intellectual property law, Commercial contract negotiation, Data privacy and information security provisions.
• Experience supporting technology, software, SaaS, or software-enabled services organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in-house at a software, SaaS, cloud, cybersecurity, or technology company.
• Familiarity with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy regulations.
• Knowledge of AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and emerging technology legal issues.
• Experience managing high-volume commercial contract portfolios.

Key Competencies

• Exceptional contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Strong business judgment and risk assessment capabilities.
• Ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical business guidance.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.

Why Cytel?

• Accelerates drug and device development for global pharma and Biotech clients.
• Focuses on patient-centered solutions.
• Comprehensive and competitive total reward package.
• World-class employee benefits and wellbeing initiatives.
• Equal Employment / Affirmative Action Employer.