We’re a global team of over 400 people, working together to push the boundaries of open-source technology and multi-cloud solutions. Our vision is to become the trusted Data & AI Platform for everyone, leveraging the most popular open-source technologies like Apache Kafka®, Aiven for PostgreSQL®, Aiven for Clickhouse®, and Aiven for OpenSearch®. to help companies accelerate time-to-market, drive efficiency, and build innovative solutions across any cloud. Right now, we’re looking for a Senior Legal Counsel to join our team who shares our passion for forward-thinking and innovative approaches.
Aiven's COO organization acts as a strategic partner to the business, collaborating closely with other departments to drive operational excellence and contribute to Aiven's continued success. The team includes finance, legal, people experience, and workplace and technology, all working together to establish an operating cadence that helps Aiven scale
Our Legal team partners with all departments to provide solution oriented legal guidance. We enable innovation and growth while safeguarding the company's interests. We believe that legal advice should be proactive, strategic, and commercially focused, and we are dedicated to providing our stakeholders with high quality legal services. Our work covers a wide range of legal areas.
Who we are
So, how do we become the trusted open source data platform for everyone? By listening closely to our customers and taking action to ensure they achieve their business goals. You see, the software we create is merely a means of delivering value. Our thinking is customer-first. That’s why our customers are at the front and center of all we do. And in the spirit of sideways thinking, we’re by their side as well. Actively helping them solve their challenges. Collaborating. Sharing. And innovating. In other words, it really isn’t just about who we are. It’s about who our customers are – and where they want to be.
Our values
We want individuals who can embody our values of ownership, courage, and openness.
What does that mean in practice?
We take ownership of the problems we solve. What we do is about improving life for our customers, enabling them to meet their goals. So we own our decisions and mistakes. Sometimes that takes courage. But we don’t falter – we take on challenges with confidence. And right at our heart is openness. We’re always open to new ideas – from wherever and whoever they come.
What You'll Do:
- Draft, negotiate and support our business with a wide range of commercial contracts. This includes agreements for direct and indirect revenue generation, including SaaS agreements, marketplace agreements, order forms, professional services agreements, and partnership agreements, mainly regarding the EMEA region.
- Provide comprehensive legal counsel on a wide range of data and technology regulation matters. This includes staying abreast of the latest developments in applicable data and technology related legislation and advising on compliance with relevant regulations.
- Offer strategic guidance. This involves analyzing the potential legal implications of new technologies and business models, and developing proactive strategies to mitigate risk. Drive ongoing enhancements of templates, forms, policies, and processes to streamline and simplify deals and product/service terms.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams. This includes working with sales, product and business development professionals to identify and address potential legal issues and provide accurate and timely counsel on a variety of legal and commercial matters. Advise on risks and liabilities of proposed commercial transactions and implement legal initiatives to meet bold business objectives.
- Monitor legal and regulatory developments. Stay informed about changes in applicable laws and regulations. Update internal policies and procedures accordingly to ensure ongoing compliance.
- Oversee data protection compliance. Take responsibility for ensuring that the organization's data processing activities align with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable data protection laws.
- Develop and implement data protection policies. Together with relevant stakeholders, design, establish, and maintain the company’s framework of data protection policies and procedures. Participate in routine audits and assessments to evaluate the organization's adherence to data protection regulations. Identify areas of non-compliance and implement corrective measures to mitigate risks.
- Maintain and support data processing activities. Maintain and support relevant stakeholders with efficient processes for data processing activities, such as record keeping, data protection impact assessments (DPIAs), and data subject requests.
- Liaise with supervisory authorities: Serve as the primary point of contact for data protection-related inquiries and notifications.
- Support other general corporate and commercial matters, including marketing, procurement, compliance and special projects from time to time.
- The position may be combined with other areas of responsibility, such as corporate and IPR law, depending on the composition of the Legal team and individual professional preferences.
What We're Looking For:
- Master of Laws (LLM) or equivalent
- 7+ years of post-graduation experience as an in-house counsel and/or from a law firm in an international setting.
- Strong communication skills in both English and Finnish (for liaising with Finnish authorities).
- Strong track record of drafting and negotiating commercial agreements. This includes the ability to identify and assess legal risks and develop effective solutions.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. This includes continuous improvement, scalability, and operational excellence in workflows, policy and process management, and execution.
- Substantial experience in providing legal advice on privacy, data and technology regulation matters. Sound understanding of and a desire to stay informed on these areas of law. This includes proven ability to spot and solve relevant legal and regulatory risks and liabilities and to seamlessly collaborate with internal stakeholders to address those issues.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills. This role requires the ability to clearly and concisely communicate complex legal concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences, as well as build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders. Ability and experience in interacting with senior management on material issues related to commercial transactions is essential.
- Proven ability to work independently and as part of a global team. This includes the ability to work autonomously while exercising sound judgment in a fast-paced environment and to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Comfortable making decisions and taking ownership over projects.
- Demonstrated ability to stay ahead of the curve on emerging legal issues in the data and technology sector. This includes a commitment to ongoing professional development and education.
Don’t worry if your experience doesn’t line up perfectly – we still encourage you to apply! We believe in investing in our crabs’ professional growth.
Our Offer
If you ask us what’s the best thing about working for Aiven, many will probably say it’s the high concentration of talent from around the world that we have here. Enjoy the agile environment of a hyperscale scale-up where you can truly make an impact and have fun while at it.
We invest in you
- Participate in Aiven’s equity plan.
- With Aiven locations spanning the globe, we want all of our crabs to find the right balance with our hybrid work policy.
- Get the equipment you need to set yourself up for success.
- Step up your career game with real employer support (use one of our learning platforms, annual learning budget, and more).
- Get holistic wellbeing support through our global Employee Assistance Program.
Make a difference at Aiven
- Contribute to open source projects that you find meaningful outside of work - and get paid for it! Our Plankton program recognizes extra work to the open source ecosystem for developers and non-developers alike.
- Use up to 5 days per year to volunteer for a good cause of your choice.
- Join one of our team member resource groups - empower yourself and others in missions that resonate with you.
What else?
- Your wellbeing matters: we provide extensive Occupational Health Care, Dental Care, as well as sports, culture, massage and lunch benefits
- Love breakfast? So do we! Join us at our regular office breakfast
- We also have you covered by statutory accident insurance
Amazing! What’s next?
If you think Aiven is the place for you, send us your CV, and we’ll get in touch!
How to Recognise and Avoid Employment Scams
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Here at Aiven, all of our emails relating to recruitment come from an @aiven.io, @greenhouse.io or @eu.greenhouse.io domain and all of our interviews are conducted over video call or in person, our interviews will never occur over text or chat. If you’re unsure of the legitimacy of a job opportunity/offer pertaining to Aiven, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at recruitment@aiven.io.
Equal Opportunities
Aiven provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, marital and family status or without regard to any other similar personal attributes. Aiven complies with applicable local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, training and any other terms and conditions related to employment.
At Aiven we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities or special needs in our working environment and job application procedures. We make all reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or who otherwise need support to thrive in the workplace. We are committed to continuously improving workplace accessibility. There is an option to request a discussion in the application process but if you have any questions before applying please write to us at recruitment@aiven.io.
