Senior Counsel, U.S. Public Sector
WFA Digital Insight
The demand for skilled legal professionals in the U.S. Public Sector is on the rise, with a 25% increase in job openings over the past year. As a Senior Counsel at Celonis, you'll play a crucial role in shaping the company's government go-to-market strategy, leveraging your expertise in government contracting and compliance. With Celonis' commitment to innovation and sustainability, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Before applying, candidates should be aware of the complex regulatory landscape and the need for strong interpersonal skills to navigate internal stakeholders and external partners.
Job Description
About the Role
As a Senior Counsel for the U.S. Public Sector at Celonis, you will be the primary Legal architect for the company's government go-to-market strategy. You will work closely with various teams, including GTM, Information Security, Engineering, Product, and Compliance, to drive the expansion of Celonis' U.S. Public Sector business. Your expertise in government contracting and compliance will be instrumental in shaping internal policies and processes, developing contract templates, and delivering training programs to empower stakeholders.The U.S. Public Sector is a critical market for Celonis, and your role will be key to navigating the complex regulatory landscape. You will need to stay up-to-date on developments in public sector law and policy, proactively advising the organization on how to navigate the shifting regulatory landscape. Your ability to communicate complex legal issues to non-legal audiences will be essential in this role.
Celonis is a fast-growing enterprise SaaS company, and the Legal, Ethics & Compliance organization plays a critical role in supporting the company's mission. As a Senior Counsel, you will be part of a dynamic team that is committed to making a positive impact on the world.
What You Will Do
- Serve as the principal Legal business partner to GTM, Information Security, Engineering, Product, and Compliance teams
- Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of complex software licenses, SaaS agreements, teaming arrangements, and partner/reseller contracts for federal and SLED customers
- Develop and implement internal policies and processes to drive compliance with regulatory requirements
- Collaborate with external legal advisors to ensure cost-effective and high-quality legal services
- Provide training programs to empower stakeholders and reduce friction in the sales cycle
- Interpret and ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS, agency-specific supplements, and evolving data protection/privacy regulations
- Proactively identify and propose mitigation strategies for legal, financial, and regulatory risks
- Stay current on developments in public sector law and policy, advising the organization on how to navigate the shifting regulatory landscape
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal clients and external partners
- Provide creative solutions to the company's most complex challenges
What We Are Looking For
- 10+ years of progressively responsible legal experience in government contracting, ideally with a mix of law firm training and in-house experience at a high-growth SaaS or cloud provider
- U.S. citizenship required
- Native or bilingual fluency in English
- Deep understanding of the public cloud space, including practical experience with FedRAMP authorizations and SaaS-specific licensing models
- Demonstrated expertise in compliance with key regulatory requirements in the SaaS and public cloud space
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex legal issues to non-legal audiences
- Experience supporting quota-carrying, enterprise-level sales personnel
- Ability to maintain strong relationships with demanding internal clients and provide creative solutions to the company's most complex challenges
- High emotional intelligence and business acumen, enabling effective collaboration and negotiation across diverse teams and external partners
Nice to Have
- Previous military experience
- Experience working with government agencies, such as the Department of Defense or the General Services Administration
- Knowledge of procurement, privacy, data protection, export, and technology issues in the SaaS and public cloud space
- Certification in a relevant area, such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or the Certified Compliance Professional (CCP)
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunity to work with a fast-growing, innovative company
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment
- Professional development opportunities, including training and education programs
- Flexible work arrangements, including remote work options
- Access to cutting-edge technology and tools
- Recognition and reward programs for outstanding performance
- Comprehensive health insurance and wellness programs
- Generous paid time off and vacation policy
- Retirement savings plan with company match
- Employee stock options or equity participation
- Opportunities for career growth and advancement
How to Stand Out
- Tip: Highlight your experience working with government agencies and contracts to demonstrate your understanding of the complex regulatory landscape.
- Ensure you have a strong grasp of SaaS-specific licensing models and FedRAMP authorizations to navigate the public cloud space effectively.
- Develop a comprehensive portfolio showcasing your expertise in compliance, contract negotiation, and risk mitigation to stand out from other candidates.
- Prepare to discuss your experience supporting quota-carrying sales personnel and providing creative solutions to complex challenges.
- Research Celonis' mission and values to demonstrate your alignment with the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability.
- Be prepared to negotiate your salary based on your experience and qualifications, and don't be afraid to ask about benefits and perks.
- Red flags to watch for include a lack of transparency about the company's growth prospects or unclear expectations about the role's responsibilities.
This is a remote position listed on WFA Digital, the platform for professionals who work from anywhere. Browse more remote jobs across all categories.