General Counsel

outset· Legal
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📍 San FranciscoFullTime💰 USD 240K–300K

About this role

Outset invented a better way to do research: AI-powered user interviews.

Global brands like Hubspot, Microsoft, Uber and Nestle use Outset to achieve deeper, qualitative insights about their users at unprecedented speed and scale.

The research industry is massive (>$140B and growing) and ripe for disruption. Incumbents are outdated, slow, and burdened by high-cost services. That's our opportunity.


Outset is backed by top Silicon Valley investors and raised a $30M Series B in December 2025—less than six months after our Series A—led by Radical Ventures with participation from M12 (Microsoft’s venture arm), 8VC, Y Combinator, and Adverb Ventures.

The raise follows a breakout year, with our business growing 8x as enterprise customers across industries adopt our category, AI‑moderated research, as the new standard for understanding people.

We’re a tight-knit team serving some of the world’s largest enterprises.

We're hiring our first General Counsel to build the legal function from the ground up. You'll be the primary legal advisor, own all corporate legal matters, and partner closely with People, Sales, and Product as we scale. This is a hands-on, builder role.

Responsibilities

  • Corporate structure, board governance, cap table matters, and equity administration in partnership with Finance

  • Fundraising support (financing rounds, investor due diligence, board consents)

  • M&A and strategic partnership evaluation as opportunities arise

  • Draft, negotiate, and manage customer contracts (MSAs, DPAs, order forms) for an enterprise SaaS motion

  • Vendor and procurement agreements, including AI/data-processing subprocessor terms

  • Build scalable contract templates and playbooks so Sales and CS can self-serve on standard terms

  • Partner with People and Talent on employment law matters, policy review, and workplace investigations

  • Support ACA and multi-state compliance as headcount scales past current thresholds

  • Protect and manage the company's IP portfolio (patents, trademarks, trade secrets)

  • Manage outside counsel relationships and legal spend across specialty areas (litigation, IP, immigration)

  • Serve as the point person for regulatory inquiries, disputes, and risk escalations

Qualifications

  • JD and active bar membership (California)

  • 7+ years of legal experience, including in-house experience at a high-growth SaaS or tech company

  • Direct experience with data privacy/AI regulatory frameworks (GDPR, CCPA)

  • Track record negotiating enterprise SaaS commercial agreements

  • Comfort operating without a large team

  • Sound judgment on when to lean on outside counsel vs. handle in-house

Nice to have

  • Prior experience as first in-house counsel or building a legal function from scratch

  • Exposure to international employment structures (EOR, contractor classification across multiple countries)

  • Experience in a company using or building AI products, with familiarity in AI-specific legal/regulatory questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the General Counsel role at outset?
The listed salary for this General Counsel position at outset is USD 240K–300K. This is an FullTime role.
Where is the General Counsel position at outset located?
This General Counsel role at outset is based in San Francisco. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the General Counsel role at outset full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a FullTime position. It is posted as a General Counsel role in the Legal department at outset.
Which team or department does the General Counsel at outset belong to?
This General Counsel position is part of the Legal department at outset. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the General Counsel position at outset?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to outset's official application portal hosted on ashby where you can submit your application directly.
When was the General Counsel job at outset posted?
This General Counsel position at outset was posted on Jul 24, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
General Counsel
outset · 💰 USD 240K–300K
Apply for this role ↗

You'll be redirected to outset's official application page on Ashby ATS.