Senior Legal Counsel (Privacy)

Meet DeepL

DeepL is a global communications platform powered by Language AI. Since 2017, we’ve been on a mission to break down language barriers. Our human-sounding translations and intelligent writing suggestions are designed with enterprise security in mind. Today, they enable over 100,000 businesses to transform communications, reach new markets, and improve productivity. And, empower millions of individuals worldwide to make sense of the world and express their ideas.

Our goal is to become the global leader in Language AI, building products that drive better communication, foster connections, and make a real-life impact. To achieve this, we need talented individuals like you to join our exciting journey. If you're ready to work with a dynamic team and build your career in the fast-moving AI space, DeepL is your next destination.

What sets us apart

What sets us apart is our blend of modern technology, competitive benefits, and an open, welcoming work culture that enables our people to thrive. When we share what it's like to work at DeepL, the reactions are overwhelmingly positive. This may be because of our products that have helped countless people worldwide or our shared mission to improve communication for individuals and businesses, bringing cultures closer together. What we know for sure is this: being part of DeepL means joining a team dedicated to innovation and employee well-being. Discover what our teams have to say about life at DeepL on LinkedIn, Instagram and our Blog.

Meet the team behind this journey

DeepL's Legal team seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join their Privacy and Regulatory Compliance team within the growing Legal department. This role is crucial for navigating the complex international legal and regulatory landscape, particularly concerning digital, tech and privacy regulation. You will be instrumental in supporting our product development and growth, reinforcing DeepL's position as a trusted, high-performing leader in the AI space. As a Senior Legal Counsel at DeepL, you will work closely with our Legal Technology team, our Compliance function as well as the Public Policy function and Product teams to provide critical support and assistance across a range of privacy, data protection and regulatory matters.

Your responsibilities

You will provide proactive, strategic legal advice to advance DeepL's innovation while managing risk and maintaining compliance with global standards. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Global Strategic Privacy & Regulatory Guidance: Deliver comprehensive legal advice on regulatory affairs, i.e. digital strategy of the EU, data protection and regulatory requirements applicable to DeepL's AI services.

• Product Partnership: Collaborate directly with Product, Engineering and Commercial teams to embed compliance into cutting-edge AI products and features.

• Regulatory Foresight: Monitor, interpret and advise on new and changing legislation, assessing the potential impact on DeepL and supporting the business in implementing new legal requirements effectively.

• Strategy & Training: Contribute to DeepL's long-term regulatory and data protection strategy, update internal policies, and conduct necessary legal training for internal teams.

Qualities we look for

• You are a fully qualified lawyer within your jurisdiction (e.g. German or UK qualified).

• You have 5+ years of demonstrable experience practicing law with a focus on regulatory compliance and/or data protection and privacy topics, preferably inhouse in a tech or scale up environment.

• Significant experience with other key regulatory domains (e.g., AI regulation, copyright laws, cyber security laws as well as consumer protection laws).

• Proven ability to partner with cross-functional teams and translate complex legal requirements into clear, actionable guidance for non-legal business stakeholders from Product, Engineering, Commercial teams.

• You bring business-oriented thinking and have a proactive, solution-oriented way of working and can effectively manage multiple projects in a global, fast-growing company.

• You are willing to work in a highly demanding, fast-changing environment.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

What we offer

• Diverse and internationally distributed team: joining our team means becoming part of a large, global community with people of more than 90 nationalities. We're more than just colleagues; we're a group of professionals with a shared mission to connect diverse cultures. Our global presence is growing–we've doubled in size nearly every year, with our employees based in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, the US, and Japan, and we continue to expand our network.

• Open communication, regular feedback: as a language-focused company, we value the importance of clear, honest communication. We value smooth collaboration, direct and actionable feedback, and believe that leading with empathy and growth mindset makes us better together.

• Hybrid work, flexible hours: we offer a hybrid work schedule, with team members coming into the office twice a week. This allows you to engage directly with your team and experience the unique energy of our workspace, while still enjoying the flexibility and comfort of working from home. With flexible working hours and trust in your productivity, we are in sync with your team’s general locations and time zones to foster effective and seamless collaboration.

• Virtual Shares - An ownership mindset in every role. We believe everyone should share in our success, and that’s why every employee receives Virtual Shares, linking your contribution directly to DeepL’s growth and rewarding you with a stake in our future.

• Regular in-person team events: we bond over vibrant events that are as unique as our team, from local team and business unit gatherings, to new-joiner onboardings, to company-wide events that bring us all together–literally.

• Monthly full-day hacking sessions: every month, we have Hack Fridays, where you can spend your time diving into a project you're passionate about and get the opportunity to work with other teams–we value your initiatives, impact, and creativity.

• 30 days of annual leave: we value your peace of mind. With 30 days off (excluding public holidays) and access to mental health resources, we make sure you're as strong mentally as you are professionally.

• Competitive benefits: just as our team spans the globe, so does our benefits package. We've crafted it to reflect the diversity of our team and tailored it to align with your unique location, to ensure you feel supported every step of the way.

If this role and our mission resonate with you, but you're hesitant because you don't check all the boxes, don't let that hold you back. At DeepL, it's all about the value you bring and the growth we can foster together. Go ahead, apply—let's discover your potential together. We can't wait to meet you!

We are an equal opportunity employer

You are welcome at DeepL for who you are—we appreciate authenticity here. Our product is for everyone, and so is our workplace. The more voices we have represented and amplified in our business, the more we will all succeed, contribute, and think forward! So bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background. It’s in our diversity that we will find the power to break down language barriers in the world.