Director, Legal & Compliance

NewtonX

23h

About The Position

NewtonX is seeking an experienced and strategic Director, Legal & Compliance to lead and scale both its Legal and Compliance functions. This role reports directly to the CFO and is a key member of the leadership team. The Director will be responsible for building the strategic roadmap for both departments, managing day-to-day legal operations, overseeing compliance programs, and driving cross-functional initiatives to support company growth. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role involving the management of a team of 3–4 direct reports and ownership of the legal and compliance infrastructure end-to-end. The Director will serve as the primary point of contact for all legal, regulatory, and compliance matters across the organization. The ideal candidate should have deep expertise in both legal and compliance, preferably within the market research, B2B, or expert network industry, and thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Requirements

• 7+ years of progressive experience in legal, compliance, or a combined legal & compliance function, with at least 2 years in a people-management role.
• Strong expertise in commercial contract review and negotiation (MSAs, NDAs, DPAs, SOWs).
• Demonstrated experience building and managing compliance programs, including policy development, risk assessment, and regulatory monitoring.
• Excellent understanding of data protection and privacy regulations (GDPR, SOC 2, CCPA) and how they apply B2B research and data-intensive businesses.
• Proficiency in Intellectual Property frameworks, particularly around proprietary methodologies and licensing in a data-intensive / SaaS environment.
• Proven ability to build scalable legal and compliance processes from the ground up in a high-growth environment.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; able to translate complex legal and regulatory issues into actionable guidance for business stakeholders.
• Organized, process-driven, and results-oriented with strong project management skills.
• Comfortable working under pressure, managing competing priorities, and making sound judgment calls independently.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• A forward-thinking mindset with active, practical experience using AI tools to enhance productivity and continuously improve processes.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the market research, expert network, B2B SaaS, or consulting industry.
• Familiarity with MNPI / insider-trading compliance frameworks and financial services regulations.
• Hands-on experience with Salesforce, Ironclad or similar CLM platforms.
• Paralegal certification, CCEP (Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional), or similar credential is a plus.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Excel, and modern legal/compliance technology tools.
• JD, LLM, or equivalent advanced legal qualification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build and execute a clear strategic roadmap for both the Legal and Compliance teams, aligned with company-wide business objectives and the CFO’s priorities.
• Directly manage and develop a team of 3–4 professionals (2+ in Compliance, 1–2 in Legal), providing mentorship, goal-setting, and performance management.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CFO and senior leadership on legal, regulatory, and compliance risks and opportunities.
• Foster a culture of compliance, integrity, and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Maintain and continuously improve legal procedures for client onboarding and contract lifecycle management, including MSAs, NDAs, DPAs, SOWs, order forms, and amendments.
• Serve as the Ironclad workflow owner: configure, maintain, and optimize contract playbooks, templates, approval paths, and reporting within the CLM platform.
• Carry out effective legal reviews for the client onboarding workflow for both NewtonX templates and client paper, applying the company’s contract playbook and ensuring consistent risk positions on key provisions (indemnity, liability caps, IP, confidentiality, data security, governing law).
• Spot, assess, and escalate non-standard or higher-risk terms to external counsel or senior leadership with clear, written summaries and recommendations.
• Support legal operations and other strategic initiatives, including vendor agreements, corporate governance matters, employment law considerations, IP protection, and other projects as needed.
• Oversee and strengthen the company’s compliance operations, including MNPI / insider-trading controls for investor clients, expert network compliance guidelines, and data protection and privacy policies.
• Implement, manage, and continuously improve best-practice compliance processes, tools, and controls.
• Review and screen surveys, interview guides, and research deliverables for compliance risks, including MNPI and other financial compliance issues.
• Prepare and present compliance reports to senior management and ensure proper documentation of compliance activities, audits, and risk assessments.
• Stay abreast of regulatory developments affecting the B2B research and market research industry, and proactively update company policies and procedures.
• Work cross-functionally with Sales, Client Delivery, Finance, Marketing, Product, and Engineering to operationalize contractual obligations, data protection commitments, and compliance requirements.
• Align contract language and compliance procedures with evolving privacy frameworks (SOC 2, GDPR, and related standards).
• Create and refine internal guides, training materials, and communication channels so that non-legal teams understand when and how to involve Legal & Compliance.
• Communicate effectively with clients and their legal teams on contractual and compliance matters throughout the engagement lifecycle.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation: base salary, annual performance bonus, and employee equity program.
• Career advancement and development opportunities in a high-growth company.
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents.
• 401(k) match with immediate vesting.
• Health savings / flexible savings account, life insurance, and pre-tax commuter benefits.
• Paid time off: vacation, holidays, sick leave, and parental leave.
• A diverse, collaborative, and positive culture where we invest in and celebrate each other’s success.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees