Associate Director, Commercial Counsel

WHY DEPT?

We are a Growth Invention company built to help the worlds most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.

We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter.

At DEPT, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build.

THE ROLE:

Were looking for an experienced commercial attorney who views contracts as the key to building successful relationships and growing a business, and who is excited to lead and optimize all contract-related processes. Our Commercial Counsel will own and drive both customer and vendor contractual matters for the DEPT Americas region and will serve as a trusted legal advisor to the business on commercial agreements. This role requires an individual with deep legal acumen, executive presence, strong collaboration and communication skills, and the ability to work independently with senior stakeholders. We prefer you have a solid understanding of AI, digital services and technology development, and were happy to share the specifics of our business if you bring a commercially minded, solutions-oriented approach to the practice of law. In addition, the role demands sound judgment and confident decision-making, often under tight timeframes and with limited information.

WHAT YOULL DO:

• Drafting, Reviewing, and Negotiating Contracts
• Lead the drafting, review, and redlining of a broad range of commercial agreements including MSAs, SOWs, NDAs, DPAs, vendor, consulting, production, and talent agreements.
• Independently negotiate agreements with counterparties (both clients and vendors) and effectively represent DEPTs interests.
• Contract Management and Compliance
• Support contract compliance with established company processes and policies.
• Support and drive the continuous improvement of DEPTs contract templates and playbooks to reflect current business and legal considerations.
• Monitor changes in applicable laws, regulations, and best practices relevant to DEPTs operations.
• Risk Management and Dispute Handling
• Be able to lead commercial dispute resolution efforts in collaboration with the DEPT Legal team, providing risk assessments and recommending practical solutions.
• Serve as a trusted legal advisor to company management at all levels, providing timely, actionable, and business-focused guidance.
• Process Improvement and Relationship Building
• Identify process gaps and drive creative solutions in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with business teams to ensure contracts are well-tailored to DEPTs needs.
• Coordinate with and manage external counsel and subject matter experts where required.
• AI Tools and Technology
• Leverage AI-powered legal tools including contract review and analysis platforms and AI-assisted drafting tools to increase efficiency and throughput across the contract lifecycle.
• Actively identify opportunities to integrate AI tools into legal workflows, while applying sound professional judgment to review, validate, and take responsibility for all AI-generated outputs.
• Partner with the broader organization on AI-related commercial matters, including advising on AI procurement contracts, data processing terms, and IP and liability considerations arising from the use of AI services.
• Leadership and Knowledge Sharing
• Stay at the forefront of developments in legal AI, emerging technologies, and industry standards, proactively assessing their applicability to DEPTs legal function and sharing insights with the wider team.
• Mentor junior members of the Legal team and foster a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.

WHAT YOU BRING:

• Juris Doctor and bar membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state.
• 5+ years of transactional contract experience, including drafting, redlining, negotiation, and contract management.
• Significant in-house experience strongly preferred; litigation experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage a high-volume contract workload and advise senior business stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, traffic management, and operational skills.
• Ability to move quickly yet efficiently to protect risk while maximizing turnaround time.
• Knowledge of applicable statutes, rules, and regulations pertaining to DEPTs business and its states/countries of operation.
• A high level of complex problem-solving, critical thinking, and information analysis skills are essential for this role.
• Experience with creative production contracts (music licensing, talent agreements, video production agreements) a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly to non-lawyers.
• The ability to encourage and build mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among all DEPT team members and clients.
• Strong focus on treating everyone at DEPT as a client, and treating DEPTs clients with respect and a win-win problem-solving demeanor.
• Ability to predict and prevent legal issues and risks.
• Effectively represent the organization as appropriate in its relationships with legal and business communities.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with AI-powered legal tools, including: contract review and analysis platforms; and AI-assisted legal drafting and research tools. Ability to critically evaluate and validate AI-generated outputs, applying professional judgment to identify errors, gaps, and legal risks.
• Experience evaluating and implementing AI tools within a legal or corporate environment, including contributing to AI use policies, risk assessments, and internal training on responsible AI use.
• Genuine interest in, and ongoing engagement with, the evolving landscape of legal AI including awareness of key vendors, product capabilities, and the limitations and risks of AI in legal practice.
• High professional and personal standards with unquestioned integrity.

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

We are a collaborative, open-door, best-idea-wins environment that fosters personal and company growth and has fun doing it. Here is a snapshot of our benefits package:

• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401k plan, plus matching
• PTO
• Paid Company Holidays
• Parental Leave

WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU:

DEPT is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. Were committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyones identity, background, beliefs, lifestyle or disabilities. So tell us about any accommodations you need. Its totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step.

DEPT participates in E-Verify, meaning your Form I-9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.

We are a B Corp-certified company passionate about purpose-driven work. Our hope is that you can feel good about the contributions DEPT is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas in making the world a better place.

DEPT is a Growth Invention company built to help the worlds most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. Were 50|50 tech and marketing, partner-led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Coach, eBay, and OpenAI.

Learn more about DEPT

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

At DEPT, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our effortshere.

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