SDL is growing rapidly, both organically and through acquisition, and derives approximately 45% of its revenues through North American based clients. It seeks a legal professional with experience in contract management in an IT Services environment, and of the North American legal framework, to offer a high quality legal service to the business in North America with a focus on negotiation of sales contracts. The role will be required to work in a collegiate way with the counterpart in Europe to ensure consistent global standards are maintained and standards of legal service optimized. There will be a strong emphasis on supporting business development through effective legal management in a dynamic and fast moving environment.    

The role will support all SDL businesses in territory which spans Translation Services, Enterprise and Desktop Language and Translation Management Technology, Component Content Management Systems and Web Content Management Systems.      

·         North America – principally US and Canada

·         All SDL Businesses in territory  

Key Accountabilities 

·         Support development standard in house pro-forma contract suite for the full range of SDL activities including services and technology – working with European/Asian counterpart. Ensure conformance to standard legal operating framework. 

·         Negotiate commercial contracts at key clients working with North American VP’s and key commercial contacts emphasis is on sound service delivery, appropriate and pragmatic solutions, turnaround time and high quality advice on legal aspects of the contract negotiation. 

·         Develop effective working relationships with key North American operating personnel and SDL Corporate Officers     

·         Work to defined triggers and referral points for approval by the global CFO and CEO which will include caps, indemnities, warranties, payment terms and other matters. Summarize approval requests concisely and accurately to make the approval process effective and efficient.    

·         Working with the VP Contracts Europe and Asia, develop a clear operating framework for negotiation of key contracts – including clear definition of ‘must have’ key terms and conditions – identify critical liability issues to Business Executive – including mitigation strategies to facilitate efficient commercial negotiations 

·         Develop more ‘self service’ and ‘light touch’ contract support mechanisms to enable low materially contracts to be turned around rapidly 

·         Effectively balance legal work priorities and introduce work flow management systems that facilitate rapid turnaround of contracts and enable sound prioritization 

·         Advise the CEO, CFO and Business Executive on customer claims, third party claims, litigation matters and employee claims for North America 

 ·         Track and monitor costs of external legal resource and balance legal resource used carefully progressively lowering external costs. Ensure sound and cost effective delivery from external advisors where used 

·         Complete ad-hoc assignments e.g. patents at the direction of the CEO and CFO                           

 Individual Characteristics 

·         Strong communications skills able to effectively manage both upward and downward and communicate key issues. 

·         Sound ability to develop effective working relationships with key Business Executives   

·         Able to synthesize and summarise effectively  

·         Keen sense of prioritization and organization – with a systematic but responsive working style 

·        Qualified attorney with solid track record – profile could be someone seeking first/second industry job after sound relevant experience in practice or someone who has operated a legal function in a corporate environment with emphasis on contract management. 

·        Demonstrable relevant experience in negotiating contracts and offering legal advice to commercial personnel a necessity