---
layout: job_family_page
title: "VP of Legal - Commercial, IP, and Compliance"
---


## Responsibilities

- Reviewing and negotiating related sales contracts with existing and prospective customers.
- Providing strategy, guidance and deal execution for other third party agreements with resellers, in-bound technology partners and potential acquisitions.
- Helping the company design and implement its Open Source Software strategy ensuring legal compliance with inbound and outbound licensing arrangements.
- Lead the effort in defining the Company’s intellectual property strategy including consideration of patents, trademarks and copyrights.
- Coordinating with outside legal counsel in various subject matters. Ensuring the cost-effective use of outside counsel, through the use of preferred providers, technology, alternative fee arrangements, etc.
- Providing legal expertise and advice on issues arising from actual or anticipated lawsuits. Anticipating and guarding against legal risks facing GitLab.
- Coordinating with management, as appropriate, to ensure any and all contractual matters are handled in a timely, efficient, and cost-effect manner and to ensure that processes and procedures will be developed and applied consistently.
- Serving as a trusted advisor and business partner by providing expertise and guidance for the accomplishment of overall business objectives of GitLab such as fostering a culture of innovation, while ensuring full compliance with applicable laws and regulations and avoiding unacceptable risks.
- Developing a thorough understanding of and familiarity with GitLab’s business, its people, products, technology, markets, facilities, customers and competitors to identify trends and formulate strategies accordingly. Other duties as assigned.
- As a service provider to other groups within GitLab you will be measured on reducing legal review cycle times, cost reduction, strategic contributions and peer feedback.
- A typical day in the life will include reviewing customer NDA’s, defining and implementing an IP strategy, negotiating several end user license agreements, responding to employee legal issues, managing trademark issues and reviewing open source policy and processes.

## Requirements

- Law degree from a top tier US or international law school.
- Minimum 5-7 years of substantial experience in the areas of corporate law in the United States.
- Business acumen, including a well-developed understanding of business and commerce and the ability to diagnose and negotiate corporate legal issues and present positive, creative solutions and alternatives.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, including diplomacy and flexibility, and the ability to interface effectively and engender trust and confidence with personnel at many different levels throughout GitLab.
- Enthusiasm and "self-starter" qualities enabling him or her to manage responsibilities with an appropriate sense of urgency; the ability to function effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced & dynamic environment.
- Previous experience in a Global Start-up and remote first environment would be ideal.
- Experience with open source software a plus.
- Experience with employment law a plus.
- Successful completion of a [background check](/handbook/people-group/code-of-conduct/#background-checks).
- Ability to use GitLab

## Performance Indicators
- [Audit Open Source License compliance with policy](/handbook/legal/#audit-open-source-license-compliance-with-policy--100)
- [Ensure protections over corporate trademarks](/handbook/legal/#ensure-protections-over-corporate-trademarks--100)
- [Number of Opportunities closed by Contract Manager(s) per Quarter](/handbook/legal/#number-of-opportunities-closed-by-contract-managers-per-quarter--66)


## Hiring Process

Candidates for this position can expect the hiring process to follow the order below. Please keep in mind that candidates can be declined from the position at any stage of the process. To learn more about someone who may be conducting the interview, find her/his job title on our [team page](/company/team).

* The review process for this role can take a little longer than usual but if in doubt, check in with the Global recruiter at any point
* Selected candidates will be invited to schedule a 45min [screening call](/handbook/hiring/#screening-call) with our Global Recruiters
* Next, candidates will be invited to schedule a first interview with our CFO
* Candidates might at this point be invited to schedule with an additional C-Level team member or VP Management member
* Finally, candidates will interview with our CEO.
* Successful candidates will subsequently be made an offer via email.

Additional details about our process can be found on our [hiring page](/handbook/hiring).