Sr. Vice President, Legal & Compliance

Applause•Remote, MA

9d•$250,000 - $400,000

About The Position

Applause is seeking a commercially minded attorney to lead its global legal function at a private equity-backed technology company focused on digital quality, software testing, and AI evaluation. The role combines senior-level advising with hands-on work in commercial negotiations, software and intellectual property matters, regulatory compliance, and daily legal operations. The successful candidate will advise senior leadership and partner across the business to support growth while managing legal and business risks. The role leads legal support for enterprise agreements, strategic partnerships, vendor contracts, and commercial transactions; advises on software, intellectual property, AI, privacy, and emerging regulation; and oversees global compliance, corporate governance, employment matters, and legal operations. The leader will develop scalable contracting and risk-management practices, manage external counsel, and build an efficient, responsive legal function. The position also supports the company’s global operations and uTest community, including matters involving independent contractors and worker classification. Applause is looking for an attorney with a J.D. and active U.S. state bar membership, at least eight years of progressive legal experience, and substantial experience advising software, SaaS, technology, or technology-enabled services businesses. The candidate should bring expertise in technology transactions, enterprise contracting, software licensing, intellectual property, AI-related legal issues, privacy, and regulatory compliance. Preferred experience includes a mix of law firm and in-house work, private equity-backed businesses, M&A, global workforce matters, legal technology, and leading a legal function or outside counsel. The annual salary range is $250,000–$400,000, based on experience. Applause also offers a semi-annual discretionary bonus, a 401(k) contribution, and a competitive benefits package. The company describes its workplace as inclusive and committed to diversity and provides a process for requesting reasonable accommodations.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Active membership in good standing with a U.S. state bar.
At least 8 years of progressive legal experience, including substantial experience advising software, SaaS, technology, or technology-enabled services businesses.
Demonstrated expertise in commercial technology transactions, enterprise contracting, software licensing, and intellectual property law.
Strong understanding of AI legal issues, including emerging AI regulation, data usage rights, IP ownership, and AI governance.
Experience advising on privacy, data protection, and regulatory compliance matters.
Proven ability to negotiate sophisticated commercial agreements with large enterprise customers and technology partners.
Strong business judgment and ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, actionable recommendations.
Ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and execute effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
Hands-on, accountable leadership approach with a strong sense of urgency and ownership.

Nice To Haves

Combination of law firm and in-house legal experience.
Experience in a high-growth software, SaaS, AI, or technology services organization.
Exposure to private equity-backed businesses, corporate transactions, or M&A.
Experience advising Product and Engineering teams on software development, AI-enabled products, and intellectual property strategy.
Familiarity with international commercial transactions, global privacy regulations, and cross-border legal matters.
Experience supporting global workforce and independent contractor compliance matters.
Experience implementing AI-enabled legal tools, contract lifecycle management systems, or other legal process improvements.
Prior experience leading a legal function or managing outside counsel.

Responsibilities

Lead legal support for complex enterprise customer agreements, strategic partnerships, vendor contracts, and commercial transactions.
Draft, review, and negotiate SaaS agreements, master services agreements, licensing agreements, data processing agreements, and other technology-related contracts.
Partner with Sales, Product, Engineering, Finance, and executive leadership to support commercial execution while managing legal and business risk.
Develop scalable contracting frameworks to improve deal velocity and support revenue growth.
Provide commercially focused legal advice that balances risk mitigation with business objectives.
Support strategic corporate initiatives, business development opportunities, and potential M&A activities.
Serve as the primary legal expert on software, intellectual property, licensing, and technology matters.
Advise on software development, ownership, licensing, open-source software, proprietary technologies, and intellectual property protection.
Partner with Product and Engineering leadership on product development, platform capabilities, and technology commercialization.
Evaluate intellectual property risks involving third-party technologies, AI models, software integrations, and strategic partnerships.
Support protection and commercialization of the company’s intellectual property, methodologies, platforms, and technology assets.
Provide guidance on technology-related disputes, contractual obligations, and intellectual property enforcement.
Lead legal guidance on the development, deployment, evaluation, and commercial use of AI technologies.
Advise on AI governance, model evaluation, training data, intellectual property ownership, and technology-related risk.
Assess legal considerations involving generative AI, third-party AI platforms, customer data, and AI-enabled products and services.
Oversee compliance with applicable global privacy and data protection requirements, including GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, and emerging AI legislation.
Establish legal frameworks and policies supporting responsible innovation, data protection, and secure technology adoption.
Integrate legal and regulatory considerations into product strategy and business operations with cross-functional leaders.
Lead and continuously improve global legal and compliance programs.
Advise executive leadership on regulatory obligations, corporate governance, contractual risk, and emerging legal developments.
Support corporate governance activities, Board-related legal matters, and private equity sponsor requirements.
Oversee legal matters associated with global operations and the uTest community, including independent contractor relationships, worker classification, participant agreements, and compliance requirements.
Partner with operational teams on fraud prevention, community integrity, investigations, and risk mitigation.
Identify potential legal and regulatory exposures and develop practical strategies to address them.
Partner with People Operations and leadership on employment legal matters across global jurisdictions.
Advise on employment agreements, restrictive covenants, employee relations, workplace investigations, and organizational changes.
Oversee external employment counsel on complex or jurisdiction-specific matters.
Advise on independent contractor relationships, contingent workforce models, and related regulatory requirements.
Lead and develop a responsive, efficient, business-oriented legal function.
Improve legal processes, contract templates, policies, and governance structures to support scalability.
Champion AI-enabled legal tools, contract automation, and modern legal technology to improve efficiency and execution.
Manage external legal counsel, ensuring appropriate expertise, cost discipline, and measurable value.
Establish clear legal priorities, service expectations, and practical risk-management processes.
Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented legal culture focused on accountability, speed, and continuous improvement.