Outset logo

General Counsel

Outset

San Francisco, CAFull-time$240–300K/yrPosted 1mo agoVerified open 6 days ago

Most applications go out cold — see where you stand first. No sign-up to start.

At a glance

Compensation
$240–300K/yr
Location
San Francisco, CA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Active Bar Membership (California)Doctorate

Job overview

Outset is hiring a General Counsel . Outset is hiring its first General Counsel to build the legal function from the ground up, serving as the primary legal advisor and partnering with People, Sales, and Product as the company scales its AI‑powered research platform for global enterprise customers.

Key focus areas include Corporate structure, board governance, cap table matters, and equity administration in partnership with Finance, Fundraising support including financing rounds, investor due diligence, and board consents, and Evaluate M&A and strategic partnership opportunities as they arise.

Successful candidates bring JD, Active Bar Membership (California), and 7+ Years Legal Experience. Important skills include Corporate Structure, Board Governance, Cap Table Matters, Equity Administration, Fundraising Support, and M&A Evaluation. Preferred (not required): International Employment Structures, EOR, Contractor Classification Across Multiple Countries, and AI-Specific Legal/Regulatory Questions.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Corporate StructureBoard GovernanceCap Table MattersEquity AdministrationFundraising SupportM&a EvaluationStrategic Partnership EvaluationContract DraftingContract NegotiationContract ManagementMSAsDPAsOrder FormsVendor AgreementsProcurement AgreementsAI/Data-Processing Subprocessor TermsScalable Contract TemplatesPlaybooksEmployment Law MattersPolicy ReviewWorkplace InvestigationsACA ComplianceMulti-State ComplianceIP Portfolio ProtectionIP Portfolio ManagementPatentsTrademarksTrade SecretsOutside Counsel ManagementLegal Spend ManagementRegulatory InquiriesDispute ResolutionRisk EscalationsData Privacy Regulatory FrameworksAI Regulatory FrameworksGDPRCCPAEnterprise SaaS Commercial Agreements NegotiationOperating Without a Large TeamSound JudgmentInternational Employment StructuresEORContractor Classification Across Multiple CountriesAI-Specific Legal/Regulatory QuestionsNegotiating Enterprise SaaS Commercial AgreementsInvestor Due DiligenceBoard ConsentsDrafting Customer ContractsNegotiating Customer ContractsManaging Customer ContractsEnterprise SaaS MotionBuilding Scalable Contract TemplatesBuilding Contract PlaybooksProtecting IP PortfolioManaging IP PortfolioManaging Outside Counsel RelationshipsManaging Legal SpendLitigationImmigrationDisputesBuilding a Legal Function From ScratchCustomer Contract NegotiationMSADPAContract Template BuildingPlaybook BuildingFirst in-House Counsel ExperienceBuilding Legal Function From ScratchAI Products Legal/Regulatory Questions

Qualifications

JDActive Bar Membership (California)7+ Years Legal ExperienceIn-House Experience at High-Growth SaaS or Tech Company

Full job description

Outset invented a better way to do research: AI-powered user interviews.

Global brands like Hubspot, Microsoft, Uber and Nestle use Outset to achieve deeper, qualitative insights about their users at unprecedented speed and scale.

The research industry is massive (>$140B and growing) and ripe for disruption. Incumbents are outdated, slow, and burdened by high-cost services. That's our opportunity.

Outset is backed by top Silicon Valley investors and raised a $30M Series B in December 2025—less than six months after our Series A—led by Radical Ventures with participation from M12 (Microsoft’s venture arm), 8VC, Y Combinator, and Adverb Ventures.

The raise follows a breakout year, with our business growing 8x as enterprise customers across industries adopt our category, AI‑moderated research, as the new standard for understanding people.

We’re a tight-knit team serving some of the world’s largest enterprises.

We're hiring our first General Counsel to build the legal function from the ground up. You'll be the primary legal advisor, own all corporate legal matters, and partner closely with People, Sales, and Product as we scale. This is a hands-on, builder role.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Corporate structure, board governance, cap table matters, and equity administration in partnership with Finance

  • Fundraising support (financing rounds, investor due diligence, board consents)

  • M&A and strategic partnership evaluation as opportunities arise

  • Draft, negotiate, and manage customer contracts (MSAs, DPAs, order forms) for an enterprise SaaS motion

  • Vendor and procurement agreements, including AI/data-processing subprocessor terms

  • Build scalable contract templates and playbooks so Sales and CS can self-serve on standard terms

  • Partner with People and Talent on employment law matters, policy review, and workplace investigations

  • Support ACA and multi-state compliance as headcount scales past current thresholds

  • Protect and manage the company's IP portfolio (patents, trademarks, trade secrets)

  • Manage outside counsel relationships and legal spend across specialty areas (litigation, IP, immigration)

  • Serve as the point person for regulatory inquiries, disputes, and risk escalations

QUALIFICATIONS

  • JD and active bar membership (California)

  • 7+ years of legal experience, including in-house experience at a high-growth SaaS or tech company

  • Direct experience with data privacy/AI regulatory frameworks (GDPR, CCPA)

  • Track record negotiating enterprise SaaS commercial agreements

  • Comfort operating without a large team

  • Sound judgment on when to lean on outside counsel vs. handle in-house

NICE TO HAVE

  • Prior experience as first in-house counsel or building a legal function from scratch

  • Exposure to international employment structures (EOR, contractor classification across multiple countries)

  • Experience in a company using or building AI products, with familiarity in AI-specific legal/regulatory questions

You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.