About Validio

Validio is an agentic data management platform that automates data quality, lineage, and cataloging, helping enterprises trust and use their data at scale for analytics, AI, and reporting. The platform is trusted by data- and AI driven industry leaders such as Nordea, Canva and Truecaller.

Working at Validio means working in an ambitious and fast-moving startup together with a passionate team of extremely talented builders and operators on a mission to make all business-critical data reliable.

Role Description

Validio is seeking a pragmatic, business-oriented Legal Counsel to take ownership of all legal matters across the company. As Validio’s first internal legal hire, you will play a critical role in enabling scale, supporting commercial growth, and ensuring the company operates compliantly across jurisdictions. You’ll work closely with leadership, sales, product, HR, and finance, acting as a trusted advisor while building the legal foundations needed for a high-growth, international SaaS business.

Key responsibilities:

• Own and manage all legal matters across the company, acting as Validio’s primary legal advisor.

• Lead the negotiation, drafting, and review of customer agreements, including enterprise SaaS contracts, data processing agreements, and related commercial terms.

• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including data protection (e.g. GDPR), AI-related regulatory frameworks, and other relevant technology and privacy regulations.

• Review, draft, and negotiate supplier, vendor, and partner agreements.

• Support labor and employment law matters, including contracts, policies, and employee-related issues in collaboration with leadership.

• Advise on corporate governance, investor matters, fundraising processes, and shareholder-related documentation.

• Develop and maintain legal templates, playbooks, and internal guidelines to support scalable commercial operations.

• Work closely with Sales and Customer Success to support deal velocity while managing legal risk.

• Coordinate with external legal counsel where needed, managing cost and scope effectively.

• Monitor regulatory developments relevant to SaaS, data, and AI, and proactively assess their impact on the business.

• Contribute to building a strong compliance and risk-aware culture without slowing down execution.

We believe you are/have:

• 7+ years of relevant legal experience, including experience from a top tier law firm and/or as in-house counsel, preferably within SaaS, technology, data, or AI-driven companies.

• Strong experience negotiating and drafting commercial contracts.

• Solid knowledge of data protection and privacy laws (e.g. GDPR); familiarity with AI regulation is a strong advantage.

• Experience reviewing and negotiating supplier, partner, and vendor agreements.

• Working knowledge of labor and employment law.

• Experience supporting corporate matters such as fundraising, investor relations, and governance is a plus.

• Ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical business advice.

• Comfortable working independently and setting up legal processes from scratch in a fast-growing startup environment.

• Experience working with international stakeholders and cross-border legal issues.

• Law degree

Personal characteristics:

• You are pragmatic, business-minded, and solutions-oriented. You know when to protect and when to enable.

• Comfortable being a “first hire” and taking full ownership of your area.

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust across the organization.

• High integrity, sound judgment, and attention to detail.

• Curious and proactive, with a genuine interest in technology, data, and how law intersects with innovation.

• Thrives in a fast-paced, scaling environment and enjoys being close to the business.