Lead Counsel, Strategic Alliances

Databricks•Mountain View, CA

9h•$246,800 - $377,100•Hybrid

About The Position

Databricks is hiring a Lead Counsel to provide business-focused legal support for strategic technology partnerships and other specialty initiatives. The role supports complex matters central to the company’s growth and works closely with Strategic Alliances and cross-functional stakeholders to coordinate internal and external expertise and develop solutions in a rapidly evolving environment. The position reports to the VP & Associate General Counsel, Strategic Alliances & Integration, and is hybrid, with in-office expectations at offices in Seattle or Bellevue, San Francisco, or Mountain View. The Lead Counsel will oversee legal aspects of selected strategic alliance transactions, including term sheets, deal processes, negotiations, and drafting and review of agreements. The role also provides legal guidance throughout transactions, coordinates stakeholder contributions and required approvals, and addresses post-signing integration and advisory matters. In addition, the position supports strategic projects, new partnering models, and processes and templates that scale the strategic partner practice.

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.
Deep experience navigating and negotiating complex, highly operational agreements with technology partners, including leading AI Model Providers and global hyperscalers.
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.
Strong critical-thinking and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly and concisely, anticipate future needs, and execute current work.
Programmatic mindset, experience managing multifaceted projects, and understanding of how to develop and simplify processes.
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 builder mindset, while welcoming 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 and organizational skills, with the ability to manage workflow and operate independently with minimal supervision.
Ability to work with a wide range of internal stakeholders at all levels, including regular direct engagement with senior leadership.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage legal aspects of selected strategic alliance technology transactions, including term sheet negotiations, deal processes, negotiations, and drafting and reviewing documents.
Secure and coordinate contributions from cross-functional stakeholders, including Product, Finance, Security, Procurement, Commercial Legal, Product Legal, GTM Legal, and 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 and projects, including developing new partnering motions.
Develop processes and templates to scale the strategic partner practice.