Description:
Job Description:WD is seeking an experienced and commercially astute Director & Senior Legal Counsel to join its Global Commercial Legal team. In this high-impact role, you will serve as a trusted legal partner to WD's Worldwide Sales and Marketing Organization, providing sophisticated legal advice across a broad range of commercial transactions. You will play a central role in shaping go-to-market strategies, managing commercial risk, and supporting commercial operational excellence.
This position requires a lawyer who combines deep transactional expertise with strong business judgment, the ability to operate independently in a fast-paced environment, and a genuine commitment to delivering practical, strategic legal solutions.
Key Responsibilities:
Commercial Transactions & Contract Negotiation
- Draft, review, negotiate, and finalize a wide range of commercial sales and customer agreements, including master purchasing agreements, distribution agreements, nondisclosure agreements, statements of work, amendments, and related business documents.
- Partner closely with business stakeholders to evaluate transaction risks, develop practical risk mitigation strategies, and drive deals to close efficiently.
- Advise on and support the development of go-to-market strategies from a legal perspective, including drafting enabling agreements and engaging cross-functionally to assess and address legal and business risks.
- Review and contribute to responses to customer RFPs and RFQs in collaboration with internal teams across sales, finance, and operations.
- Support and enhance end-to-end contract management process, including the development and maintenance of strategic playbooks, standard templates, and contract lifecycle management (CLM) workflows related to sales transactions.
- Champion the use of technology and process innovation to improve efficiency and consistency across the global commercial legal function.
- Oversee and provide quality guidance to contract administrators and managers within the commercial organization as needed.
Special Projects:
Lead or contribute to special legal and business initiatives as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and a collaborative approach across the broader legal team.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Experience: 8 or more years of relevant transactional legal experience in a law firm, in-house legal department, or government legal setting, with a demonstrated track record of drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial and sales-related agreements.
- License: Current member in good standing of a U.S. State Bar, or Registered In-House Counsel in California (or eligible therefor); Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school or its equivalent.
- Subject Matter Knowledge: Working knowledge of U.S. consumer protection, competition, and intellectual property laws.
- Language: Professional fluency in English, both written and verbal.
Preferred:
- Experience working in or with technology companies or the broader technology industry.
- Additional language proficiency is a plus.
- Business Partnership: Ability to engage deeply with business objectives, translate legal risk into actionable strategy, and serve as a trusted advisor rather than a gatekeeper
- Transactional Excellence: Consistent delivery of high-quality, timely work product across a broad range of commercial matters
- Independent Judgment: Proven ability to operate autonomously, manage competing priorities, and exercise sound judgment with limited supervision
- Collaboration: Effective cross-functional partner who builds trust with internal stakeholders, teammates, and outside counsel; comfortable working across cultures and time zones
- Communication: Clear, concise, and respectful communicator — both one-on-one and in group settings
- Leadership & Mentorship: Willingness to guide and develop less experienced counsel and contract administrators; leads by example
- Detail & Rigor: Strong analytical skills and meticulous attention to detail in all work product
- Integrity: Unwavering commitment to WD's corporate values, ethics, and Code of Conduct
- Adaptability: Thrives in a demanding, high-volume environment while maintaining quality and positive relationships
- Growth Mindset: Self-motivated, resourceful, and enthusiastic about continuous learning and improvement
