At Sound Agriculture, we believe our food system can nourish consumers while benefiting farming communities and the planet. Through a deeper understanding of plant and microbial biology, we are leveraging the natural power of plants to make agriculture more agile and resilient. Our work focuses on developing nutrient efficiency products and modernizing plant breeding to improve the way we farm and the food we eat.

Sound is a Series D startup funded by leading investors in food and agriculture including Leaps by Bayer, Syngenta Group Ventures, S2G Ventures, BMO Impact Investment Fund, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Fall Line Capital, Cavallo Ventures, FootPrint Coalition and Northpond Ventures.

What you'll do:

Head of Legal

Sound is looking for an experienced legal professional to lead and manage Sound’s Legal function. The Head of Legal will execute our commercial and corporate legal work and effective legal advice to the leadership team on new laws, existing laws and legal rights that would impact functionality of the business.

Responsibilities include negotiating and structuring commercial and technical partnership agreements, managing internal, client and vendor contracts, debt and equity financings, mergers and acquisitions, and management of outside counsel. In addition to the development and implementation of corporate policies and legal tasks around compliance, risk management, financings and human resources.

This role reports to the Chief Financial Officer and can be remote across the United States, or based out of our Emeryville, CA headquarters.

Responsibilities

Overseeing all legal matters of the business and acting as the business’ legal representative
Advising leadership on new laws, existing laws and legal rights that would impact functionality of the business
Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of commercial agreements, including NDAs, MTAs, MSAs, SOWs, and various bespoke legal agreements that may be required to support the company’s business objectives
Advise on corporate governance, manage Board matters, and support financings, capital raising efforts, and M&A activities
Potentially manage all IP issues (patent, trademark, copyright) with the aid of outside counsel
Keeping a record of all legal documents and proceedings for the company
Managing outside counsel

Oversee privacy and data security issues and advise on all privacy rules/regulations that impact the business and new potential product lines
Support HR in advising on employment laws and equity compensation
Facilitating filings of licensing forms and other statutory requirements
Support international expansion and work closely with outside counsel in each jurisdiction to handle establishing legal entities, tax structures, real estate and employment matters
Support other matters as they arise, including litigation, compliance, real estate, etc.

Compensation Target

$200,000 to $220,000 base salary, plus variable compensation bonus target of 20%, in addition to competitive options package.

Sound reserves the ability to adjust the compensation range based on the final candidate’s experience, skillset, and geography. In addition to on target earnings, we offer above average equity grants for the industry as we believe that every employee should have a stake in the company’s growth. If you’re above this compensation target, we encourage you to reach out and discuss the entire package and opportunity before deciding not to pursue this position.

Skills & Experience

JD from accredited US law school and admitted to practice in any state in the U.S.
6+ years of combined law firm/in-house experience with top tier firm or startup;
Experience working with high-growth or venture-backed companies, including working with the board of directors
Track record of structuring and closing complex commercial multi-million dollar transactions
Experience with financings, capital raising efforts, and M&A
Experience supporting global expansion activities a plus
Familiarity with patent prosecution and IP portfolio management a plus
Proven ability to proactively, efficiently, and accurately assess legal business risks
Excellent written and oral communication skills to both lawyers and non-lawyers, and creation of strong and trusted cross-functional relationships
Proactive personality and eagerness to learn about the business, products, new areas of law, and applicable regulations
Thrives in a startup environment with rapid change
Self-starter, capable of working independently

This role demonstrates our core values by:

Boldness: Demonstrate boldness by proactively aligning legal strategies with the company's goals and values. Represent Sound confidently in negotiations and agreements, encouraging innovative approaches to legal challenges.
Ownership: Celebrate ownership of work and decisions while taking full accountability for the legal function's performance, prioritizing the company's long-term interests.
Tenacity: Show unwavering commitment to resolving legal challenges, even when faced with obstacles. Maintain a solution-oriented mindset to manage legal matters effectively.
Creativity: Embrace diversity of thought and innovative problem-solving. Challenge conventional legal practices that don't align with Sound's values and foster an environment where creative thinking is valued.

#LIREMOTE #LIUS

What we offer:

Opportunity to work in a disruptive startup with a talented, experienced, and growing team of dedicated individuals
Competitive total rewards package, including equity
Performance bonus structure or uncapped commission plan for sales positions
Comprehensive health care plans that include Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
Flex Spending Account (Healthcare, Dependent Care & Commuter Benefit)
401(k) with company match
Generous flexible paid time off
Paid parental leave
Mental health and wellbeing benefits
In-person and virtual events and engagement activities (we actually like hanging out with each other!) (e.g. First Fridays, Meditation, Potlucks, Cultural Events, Running and Climbing groups, Photo Contests, weekly Team lunch, etc.)

Sound Agriculture does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third party recruiting agencies responding to job postings. We will not respond to unsolicited requests to submit candidates.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We seek a diverse pool of applicants and consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, ancestry, color, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, Veteran status, marital status, or any other protected status.

Sound participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Sound is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before Sound takes any action, including terminating your employment.

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