Director of Legal

Redpanda is the first runtime and control plane for agent-data interaction — a unified platform that combines streaming, SQL analytics, and intelligent connectivity with the governance layer enterprise AI agents need in production. Built on infrastructure already trusted by Fortune 500 companies and fast-growing startups, Redpanda enforces governance entirely outside the agent's data path, controlling what agents see, limiting what they do, and capturing a tamper-proof record of everything they touch, so organizations never have to choose between innovation and control. About the Role: Redpanda is hiring a Director of Legal to join as the second member of our legal team, reporting directly to the VP, General Counsel. This is a high-impact role for a business-minded attorney who wants real ownership: you'll be the point person for our commercial transactions, driving deals from first draft to signature while owning and building the forms, playbooks, and processes that let our contracting function scale with the business. This isn't a narrow specialty seat. While commercial transactions are the core of the role, you'll be a true partner to the VP, General Counsel across everything the company touches — including privacy, product counseling, compliance, employment, and corporate — stepping in wherever the workload demands and learning whatever the moment requires. The ideal candidate is pragmatic, self-directed, and energized by helping build a legal function from the ground up in a fast-moving startup environment. The preference is for this to be a hybrid role based in our central Austin office, with a minimum of 3 days/week on-site; however, we will consider remote for the right candidate. You Will: Serve as the point person for commercial transactions: draft, negotiate, and close customer, partner, and vendor agreements, driving negotiations to quick, successful completion. Own and build Redpanda's contracting infrastructure: create and maintain templates, forms, negotiation playbooks, and approval workflows, and operationalize legal tech and AI tools that make contracting faster and more scalable. Partner closely with Sales, Customer Success, Product, Security, and Finance to structure business-aligned agreements and translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable guidance. Advise on privacy and data protection matters, and help the business navigate the evolving AI regulatory landscape. Provide practical, business-oriented advice on legal risk across the full range of issues facing a high-growth enterprise software company. Support the VP, General Counsel on strategic initiatives in new legal domains as the company grows. You Have: A JD from an accredited law school and active membership in at least one US state bar. 5+ years of legal experience across law firm and/or in-house roles, with significant experience drafting, negotiating, and closing commercial agreements for technology companies. A demonstrated track record of independently owning complex commercial negotiations end to end. Working knowledge of privacy and data protection laws (GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, and other US state and international privacy laws) and experience negotiating DPAs. Experience building and improving contracting processes, templates, and playbooks — a builder's mindset, not just a reviewer's. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to turn complex legal analysis into practical business guidance for non-legal stakeholders. A generalist's curiosity and flexibility: comfort taking on unfamiliar legal areas, learning quickly, and operating with autonomy in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment. Nice to Have: In-house experience at a high-growth enterprise software, data infrastructure, or AI company. Experience as an early legal hire helping build a legal function from the ground up. Hands-on experience with CLM systems and AI-enabled legal workflows. Familiarity with emerging AI regulation. U.S. base salary range for this role is $265,000 - $275,000 (CA, NY, WA) and $250,000 - $265,000 (other US locations). Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. We strive to consider each candidate's job-related skills, location, experience, relevant education or training to determine individual base salary. Your talent partner will share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process Join Redpanda if you’d enjoy being part of a fast-moving, diverse, people-first organization with team members around the globe and a culture based on trust, transparency, communication, and kindness. You'll dive into a nimble, high-impact team with the latest AI tools — and the budget to actually use them.