Legal Director, Accela

• The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in negotiating complex SaaS and services agreements, particularly in the public sector, and will thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited U.S. law school
• Active membership in a state bar, with eligibility for California Registered In-House Counsel if not CA-barred
• 6+ years of legal experience, including at least 3 years in-house at a technology or SaaS company
• Strong experience negotiating commercial contracts, particularly with government entities
• Solid understanding of SaaS business models and software licensing
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a collaborative, team-first mindset

Desirable

• Accela is seeking a proactive and business-minded Legal Director to support our growing sales and services teams
• Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, this role will serve as a key legal advisor on commercial transactions and revenue-generating activities
• This is a hands-on role that requires strong business acumen, excellent judgment, and the ability to balance legal risk with business objectives
• You’ll work closely with cross-functional teams including Sales, Services, Finance, and Operations to support deal flow and help scale legal processes as the company grows
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including SaaS, software licensing, professional services, and maintenance agreements
• Partner with Sales and Services teams to drive deals to closure efficiently while maintaining compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
• Provide strategic legal guidance on RFPs, government procurement processes, and contract structures
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop and implement scalable legal processes and templates that support revenue growth
• Support cross-functional initiatives involving legal input, including compliance, sales operations, and risk management
• Stay current on relevant laws, regulations, and industry trends affecting SaaS and public sector contracting
• Identify and develop a secondary area of legal expertise (e.g., privacy, compliance, or employment law) to support broader legal team initiatives