Lead Counsel, Strategic Alliances

Databricks • San Francisco, WA

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

Databricks is seeking a talented and experienced Lead Counsel to support strategic technology partnerships and other specialty initiatives. The role provides business-focused legal support for strategic and complex matters that contribute to the company’s growth. The position reports to the VP & Associate General Counsel, Strategic Alliances & Integration.

The successful candidate will work closely with Strategic Alliances and cross-functional stakeholders to coordinate advice and contributions from internal and external experts and develop solutions in a rapidly evolving environment. The role focuses on complex, highly operational agreements with technology partners, including leading AI model providers and global hyperscalers, and involves regular direct engagement with senior leadership.

The position is hybrid, with in-office expectations, and is based locally to Databricks offices in Seattle or Bellevue, San Francisco, or Mountain View.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of experience at a nationally recognized law firm and/or in-house legal department at a high-tech company.
• J.D. from a top-tier law school.
• Membership in a state bar in good standing.
• Understanding of AI/foundation model platform technology and related contract models.
• Deep experience partnering around open-source and proprietary technologies, and cloud or data-platform product partnerships.
• Familiarity with open-source licensing models, such as Apache 2.0, MIT, and model-specific community licenses, and their use with open-weight models.
• Fluency in partnering models including OEM, resale, and marketplace-driven transactions, and related quote-to-cash implications.
• Ability to partner directly with cross-functional teams to understand, incorporate, and enforce operational requirements in partnership structures.
• Critical thinking and the ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and concisely, anticipate future needs and issues, and execute current activities.
• Programmatic mindset, experience managing multifaceted projects, and understanding of process development and simplification.
• Collaborative, positive approach to working with legal colleagues and business partners, and ability to build relationships across geographies and functions.
• Hands-on, independent working style and ability to welcome supportive input as appropriate.
• Experience understanding challenging issues, navigating ambiguity, assessing risk, and making concise, pragmatic recommendations to senior leaders in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong work ethic, excellent organizational skills, and ability to manage workflow and execute with minimal supervision.
• Ability to operate independently and interact confidently with senior management when required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage legal aspects of selected strategic alliance technology transactions, including term-sheet negotiations, deal processes, document review, drafting, and negotiations.
• Secure and coordinate contributions from cross-functional stakeholders, including Product, Finance, Security, Procurement, Commercial Legal, Product Legal, and GTM Legal, as well as other internal and external experts.
• Facilitate agreement closings and coordinate with Corporate Legal and Finance on Board approvals when needed.
• Provide expert legal guidance and business-focused advice to clients, cross-functional teams, and leadership throughout strategic deal processes.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and applicable laws and regulations.
• Address integration and advisory issues arising after signing, within Legal and across the company.
• Drive or provide legal support for other strategic transactions or projects, including developing new partnering motions.
• Develop processes and templates to scale the strategic partner practice.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree