Director, Legal

Job summary

The Director, Legal will advise executive leadership on commercial, corporate, and regulatory matters while leading complex negotiations for partnerships and customer contracts. They will also guide the company on emerging technology issues and help build and mentor the legal team.

Job details

Photonic Inc. is a Vancouver-based quantum technology company building commercial-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers and networks. Founded in 2016, it has raised more than $450 million to date and reached a valuation of roughly $2.7 billion, backed by investors including Microsoft, RBC, TELUS, BCI, Mubadala, Bell, and the UK’s Planet First Partners. The company has advanced to the second phase of the U.S. DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative and been selected under Canada’s Quantum Champions Program. With 150+ employees and operations in the U.S. and U.K., Photonic is moving from development into commercialization. Reporting to the VP Legal, the Director, Legal is a strategic leadership role with broad exposure across the business. You will advise executive leadership and business teams on commercial, corporate, governance, regulatory, and risk matters; lead and negotiate complex commercial agreements, including partnerships, customer contracts, technology licensing, and supply chain; and advise on corporate transactions, including M&A. You will partner with product, engineering, and research teams, advise on emerging-technology issues across quantum, AI, software, and data, and guide regulatory requirements including export controls and trade. You will help build and mentor the legal team. The ideal candidate has 10+ years of experience with significant corporate/commercial depth and exposure to technology transactions, strong negotiation and drafting skills, and executive presence. Experience in or closely with a technology-focused business is particularly relevant. Assets include public company experience, export controls and trade compliance, AI and data governance, technology licensing, quantum, semiconductors, deep tech or telecom, or admission in a U.S. jurisdiction. Compensation is competitive and includes options, with benefits from Day 1, four weeks of vacation, and unlimited wellness days. This is an exclusive search. To apply or inquire, contact Trevin Sewell at trevin@smithlegalsearch.com or Warren Smith at warren@smithlegalsearch.com.

What you’ll do

The Director, Legal will advise executive leadership on commercial, corporate, and regulatory matters while leading complex negotiations for partnerships and customer contracts. They will also guide the company on emerging technology issues and help build and mentor the legal team.

Requirements

Candidates need 10+ years of experience with deep corporate and commercial expertise, specifically within technology transactions. Preferred qualifications include experience with export controls, AI governance, or admission to a U.S. jurisdiction.

Benefits

• Stock Options • Health Benefits • Four Weeks Of Vacation • Unlimited Wellness Days

Listed skills

• Regulatory Compliance · Preferred
• Risk Management · Preferred
• Contract Negotiation · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Commercial Law
• Corporate Governance
• Regulatory Compliance
• Risk Management
• Contract Negotiation
• M&A
• Technology Licensing
• Export Controls
• Trade Compliance
• AI Governance
• Data Governance
• Legal Mentorship
• Drafting
• Executive Presence

Job areas

• Legal
• Management & Leadership
• Technology
• Science & Research
• Consulting