Commercial Legal Counsel

Commercial Legal Counsel

GitLab is seeking a senior Commercial Legal Counsel to join our globally distributed team. As an integral part of our Legal department, you will play a crucial role in enabling GitLab to move faster by ensuring commercial contracting is clear, consistent, and scalable. This is a permanent, remote position.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director, Legal, Commercial, you will partner with internal stakeholders and external counterparties to negotiate and review complex agreements. You will assess legal risk, translate regional legal requirements into practical templates and policies, and serve as a trusted advisor to teams across GitLab. Your contributions will help achieve business goals while protecting GitLab's interests. You will also contribute to the growth of the commercial legal function through mentorship, playbooks, and training.

In your first year, you will take ownership of strategic contracting workstreams, strengthen risk management in high-priority transactions (including technology and artificial intelligence-related agreements), and improve systems and documentation for efficient deal execution.

This role also supports GitLab’s Public Sector go-to-market strategy. You will advise on federal, state, local, and education (SLED) transactions, leveraging your expertise in government procurement frameworks, compliance requirements, and data handling obligations to facilitate efficient and legally compliant public sector deals.

Key Responsibilities

• Negotiate, draft, and review complex commercial and technology agreements, including those related to partnerships, services, consulting, marketing, licensing, data privacy, and artificial intelligence.
• Independently manage strategic and high-priority matters for large-value and material transactions, collaborating directly with internal stakeholders and external parties.
• Advise Sales and cross-functional GitLab teams on contract structure, risk allocation, and negotiation strategies that align with business objectives while safeguarding GitLab’s interests.
• Conduct risk analysis on contractual documents and propose mitigation options, including escalation paths and alternative terms.
• Develop and maintain contract templates, playbooks, policies, and supporting documentation, incorporating regional legal requirements and stakeholder feedback.
• Monitor legal and regulatory changes, assess their impact on GitLab’s contracting practices, and propose clear, actionable updates to templates and processes.
• Create and deliver training for contract managers and Sales team members to enhance contracting consistency and day-to-day decision-making.
• Support the Public Sector sales team on federal, SLED, and government-adjacent transactions, including negotiating agreements subject to FAR/DFARS requirements, GSA Schedule terms, and agency-specific flow-down clauses.
• Advise on FedRAMP-related contracting obligations, including data sovereignty commitments, government-specific data handling requirements, and authorized use restrictions.
• Draft and maintain public sector contract templates, playbooks, and order form language that address government procurement requirements.
• Partner with Sales, Security, and Compliance teams to assess and communicate the contractual implications of government certification and authorization programs.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active bar membership in at least one U.S. state.
• Experience at a major law firm and/or in-house legal department, with a focus on commercial and technology transactions.
• Proven experience negotiating and drafting complex commercial and technology agreements.
• Ability to independently manage high-volume, strategic, and high-priority matters and drive agreements to closure.
• Knowledge of regional legal requirements and experience partnering with outside counsel.
• Strong practical risk-spotting and risk mitigation skills, with the ability to provide clear, business-focused guidance.
• Experience improving or building templates, playbooks, processes, and documentation to support consistent contracting outcomes.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and serve as a trusted advisor.
• Ability to create and deliver training for sales team members.
• Comfort working in a remote, globally distributed environment across time zones.
• Working knowledge of federal government procurement frameworks (FAR, DFARS) and experience with GSA Schedule contracting mechanics.
• Understanding of SLED procurement rules.
• Experience advising on or negotiating FedRAMP-related contractual obligations.
• Familiarity with data sovereignty concepts in government contracting.

What We Offer

• Benefits to support your health, finances, and well-being.
• Flexible Paid Time Off.
• Team Member Resource Groups.
• Equity Compensation & Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Growth and Development Fund.
• Parental Leave.
• Home office support.

GitLab is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome candidates with varying levels of experience and encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single qualification.

United States Salary Range: $115,000—$162,000 USD (base salary, excluding bonuses, equity, or benefits). Sales roles are also eligible for incentive pay