Title:  Senior Manager, Commercial Counsel

About Uplight

Uplight is creating a new category of energy. We make software that manages energy resources in homes and businesses—including things like smart thermostats, electric vehicles, solar panels, storage batteries, heat pumps, and even people’s behavior—to generate, shift, or save energy to balance the grid, making it more efficient and reliable. This creates clean energy capacity that can be used by the power grid instead of burning more fossil fuels. Our solutions accelerate the transition to clean energy and save money for energy customers.

How you will make an impact

We are looking for a Senior Manager, Commercial Counsel to drive our company forward, and help us lead the clean energy revolution!

How you will make an impact: 

• Lead the Commercial Contracting Function: Support commercial sales and partnership contracts and lead the charge in creating the process for how we negotiate commercial agreements

• Contract Drafting and Review: Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of commercial agreements, including software licensing agreements, service agreements, SaaS subscription contracts, reseller agreements, and vendor contracts.

• Risk Assessment: Analyze and interpret commercial agreements; assess and mitigate legal and business risks associated with commercial transactions.

• Compliance: Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards in all contractual matters; possess a strong understanding of data privacy regulations, including CCPA and GDPR, and the ability to translate that understanding into redlines and articulate it in negotiations related to DPAs and commercial contracts

• Contract Management: Develop and maintain an efficient contract management process, and work within Ironclad to manage contract review and approval processes. Maintain and improve existing contract templates; develop and refine playbooks

• Collaborate with the team to identify opportunities to centralize knowledge and create scalable processes to increase visibility and expedite communication, alignment, and execution of the legal function

• Legal Advice: Provide legal advice and guidance to internal teams, including Sales, Account Management, Professional Services and Partnerships, on contractual and legal matters.

• Dispute Resolution: Assist in resolving contract disputes and conflicts, including negotiation, mediation, and, if necessary, litigation support.

• Management and Training: Manage and oversee legal professionals who support the drafting, review and negotiation of commercial contracts; conduct training sessions for legal department and business on contract-related legal matters and best practices.

• Continuous Improvement: Stay up-to-date with changes in relevant laws and regulations, industry trends, and best practices, and recommend improvements to contract-related processes.

What you bring to Uplight

What you bring to Uplight: 

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

• Active status in a state bar.

• Minimum of 10 years of experience with at least 3 years in-house practicing commercial contract law and supporting the sales function, with a strong preference for candidates with SaaS or technology industry experience.

• Proven track record of drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts.

• Strong understanding of intellectual property, data privacy, and cybersecurity issues.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional team environment.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; a strategic thinker with a growth mindset.

• Attention to detail and a commitment to quality work.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

• Proven ability to lead and manage contract professionals, create systems and processes relating to contract management, and work collaboratively in a hybrid team environment.

Bonus points:

• Energy or Energy-Adjacent Industry experience

• Software / Technology company in-house experience

EEO, Culture, Pay Transparency, and Benefits

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, marginalized genders and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Uplight we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Why Join Uplight in Leading the Fight Against Climate Change?

At Uplight, we're not just offering a job – we're offering a chance to be part of the solution to one of the world's biggest challenges. As a certified B Corporation, we're deeply committed to both social and environmental responsibility. Here's why you should join our team of passionate Uplighters:

• Make a Meaningful Impact: Your work directly impacts our mission of decarbonization and building a more sustainable future.

• Grow Your Career: We offer ample advancement opportunities, robust learning and development programs, and a supportive team environment that fosters collaboration and innovation.

• Thrive:  We offer comprehensive benefits, including flexible time off, generous parental leave, a wellness stipend, and work flexibility to help you thrive both personally and professionally.

• Belong to an Inclusive Community: We celebrate diversity and foster an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, empowered, and heard. Our Employee Resource Groups offer opportunities to connect with colleagues who share your interests and backgrounds.

• Be Part of a Growing Movement: Join a team of dedicated individuals who are passionate about creating a more sustainable future. We offer a collaborative environment where your ideas are valued and your contributions recognized. Together, we can build a brighter tomorrow.

To learn more about our comprehensive benefits package and other perks, visit uplight.com/careers 

Salary Range: $160,000 to $205,000 + Bonus 

Application Deadline: September 6, 2024

In accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, the approximate annual base compensation range is listed above. The actual offer, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be determined by a number of factors including the applicant's experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity among our team. 

Uplight provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race (including hair texture and hairstyles), color, religion (including head coverings), age, sex, national origin, disability status (including neurodivergence), genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, neurotypicality, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.