[Hiring] Commercial Counsel @Canto

Role Description

Canto is hiring its first in-house legal leader to build and scale a modern legal function from the ground up. This role is focused on commercial contracting as a strategic driver of growth — not just risk mitigation. Reporting to the CFO, you will design and operate an AI-enabled contracting function that accelerates deal velocity, reduces friction, and enables the business to scale efficiently and effectively. Within your first six months, you will own our end-to-end contracting operations, implement foundational systems and playbooks, and establish yourself as the primary legal partner across Sales, Finance, and the executive team. If you thrive in a builder environment and want to define what great legal looks like at a scaling SaaS company, this role is for you.

What You'll Be Doing

• Drive Commercial Contracting & Sales Enablement
  • Own negotiation and execution of commercial SaaS agreements — including MSAs, subscription agreements, DPAs, and NDAs — while enabling the business to move quickly within defined guardrails.
  • Enforce company positions on non-standard terms and manage escalation paths, improving time-to-signature without increasing legal or commercial risk.
  • Train and enable Sales to handle routine negotiations independently, reducing legal bottlenecks at scale.
• Own & Scale Contracting Operations
  • Lead the end-to-end contracting function for all customer and vendor agreements, building a scalable, AI-enabled operation that reduces manual work and accelerates deal cycles.
  • Implement and manage a Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system, including templates, negotiation playbooks, approval workflows, and delegation of authority controls.
  • Leverage AI-driven legal tools for contract review, risk flagging, and workflow automation — actively identifying opportunities to reduce outside counsel reliance over time.
• Manage Risk Across Vendor Relationships, Privacy, and Governance
  • Own vendor contracting and procurement legal processes, maintaining a contract repository with proactive tracking of key terms and obligations.
  • Lead legal aspects of data privacy — including DPA negotiation and regulatory alignment with GDPR, CCPA, and related frameworks — and monitor evolving requirements across Canto's operating and customer geographies.
  • Partner with Security, Product, and Executive Leadership on emerging legal and regulatory requirements related to AI, data governance, automated decision-making, IP, and responsible AI practices.
• Lead the Legal Function
  • Serve as the primary legal advisor across commercial and operational matters, managing outside counsel relationships across the US and Europe with a focus on cost efficiency and minimizing routine escalations.
  • Handle disputes and pre-litigation matters with a pragmatic, resolution-oriented approach, and advise on Canto's corporate entity compliance program.
  • Partner with Security during privacy and security events, coordinating on notification obligations, contractual commitments, regulatory requirements, and privilege preservation.

Qualifications

• JD and active bar membership in good standing.
• 5–8 years of legal experience in SaaS or technology, in-house or a mix of law firm and in-house.
• Strong experience negotiating commercial SaaS agreements, including MSAs, subscription agreements, DPAs, and NDAs.
• Working knowledge of data privacy frameworks, including GDPR, CCPA, and related regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently, build processes from scratch, and establish legal infrastructure in a scaling environment.
• Experience partnering with Sales and go-to-market teams in a high-velocity commercial environment.
• Clear interest in legal technology and AI-driven workflows, with a commitment to building a modern, tech-enabled legal function.

Preferred

• Hands-on experience with CLM systems and AI-enabled legal review or drafting tools.
• Background in multi-entity, multi-jurisdiction SaaS businesses with US and EU exposure.
• Prior experience as an early or first in-house legal hire.
• Familiarity with vendor, partner, or channel contracting models.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable guidance for non-legal stakeholders.
• Commercial judgment and pragmatism — able to balance legal risk with business velocity and act as a trusted partner, not a gatekeeper.
• Comfort with ambiguity and a builder's mindset; able to create structure, systems, and process where none exist.
• Ability to leverage AI tools for contract review, workflow automation, and legal operations — and a proactive approach to identifying new efficiencies through technology.
• Cross-functional collaboration skills and a track record of building trust with Sales, Finance, and executive stakeholders.

Eligible States

This position is eligible for hire in the following states: AL, AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OR, PA, SC, TX, UT, WA, and WI. Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to one of these states at the time of employment. This list may be subject to change based on operational requirements.

Benefits

• Start-Up Spirit: Embrace the excitement and flexibility of a growing company.
• Hands-On Impact: Your work directly contributes to our success.
• Learning by Doing: Our growth plans provide real-time learning.
• Close-Knit Team: Enjoy a tight-knit, supportive work environment.
• Open Communication: We value transparency and open dialogue.
• Problem-Solver's Paradise: Apply creativity to real-world challenges.
• Work-Life Harmony: We respect the balance between personal and professional life.
• Growth Opportunities: As we grow, so do opportunities for our team.
• Cultural Exchange: Learn from diverse colleagues in a global setting.