Legal Counsel

Legal Counsel F/M

Administration Apply now »

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At SAP, we keep it simple: you bring your best to us, and we'll bring out the best in you. We're builders touching over 20 industries and 80% of global commerce, and we need your unique talents to help shape what's next. The work is challenging – but it matters. You'll find a place where you can be yourself, prioritize your wellbeing, and truly belong. What's in it for you? Constant learning, skill growth, great benefits, and a team that wants you to grow and succeed. 

About the Role

As Legal Counsel, you will join the French Legal team as part of SAP's global Legal organization. You will work closely with experienced legal colleagues and cross-functional stakeholders to support a broad range of commercial, technology, regulatory, and compliance matters.

This role gives you the opportunity to build (and/or implement) expertise across cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital sovereignty, digital regulation, data protection, and commercial contracting. You will take ownership of defined matters, contribute to strategic projects, and help deliver practical, business-focused legal advice in a rapidly evolving technology and regulatory environment.

The position is designed for a lawyer with strong fundamentals who is looking to deepen their expertise, strengthen their business partnering capabilities, and progressively build greater autonomy.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Contracting & Business Support

• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial and technology agreements, including SaaS, cloud, AI, licensing, EULAs, IT services, and partner-related contracts.
• Support complex transactions and strategic initiatives alongside senior legal colleagues, as and when needed, and business teams.
• Contribute to the structuring and negotiation of sovereign cloud and other innovative technology offerings.
• Advise on software licensing, and technology-related intellectual property matters.
• Support the assessment of evolving IP issues arising from AI and digital technologies.
• Provide clear, pragmatic, and risk-calibrated legal guidance to internal stakeholders.
• Develop a strong understanding of SAP's business, customers, and evolving regulatory environment.

Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies

• Support legal assessments relating to AI-enabled products, services, and business initiatives.
• Contribute to the implementation of responsible and trustworthy AI.
• Assist in addressing legal questions relating to AI-generated content, automated decision-making, and emerging technologies.
• Monitor developments related to the EU AI Act and other technology regulations, translating legal developments into practical business guidance.

Sovereign Cloud & Regulatory Matters

• Develop expertise in French and European sovereign cloud frameworks, including SecNumCloud and related digital sovereignty initiatives.
• Support legal work associated with offerings for public sector, healthcare, defence, and other regulated industries.
• Advise on data localization, sovereignty, and regulatory requirements applicable to cloud services.

Data Protection, Cybersecurity & Digital Regulation

• Apply and further develop expertise in GDPR and broader privacy and data protection requirements.
• Support matters involving cybersecurity, NIS2, DSA, DMA, competition law, and other digital regulations relevant to SAP's business.
• Participate in compliance assessments, governance initiatives, and internal risk-management processes.

Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing

• Partner closely with colleagues across Legal, Compliance, Sales, Product, Security, and other functions.
• Contribute to legal training, internal guidance, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Help foster a culture of practical problem-solving, collaboration, and continuous learning within the legal organization.

What We're Looking For

Qualifications & Experience

• Master 2 degree in Business Law, Digital Law, IP/IT Law, or an equivalent qualification.
• Approximately 2 to 5 years of relevant legal experience acquired in-house, in private practice, the public sector, or a regulatory environment.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and communication skills in both French and English.
• Experience with commercial contracts and technology-related legal matters.
• Working knowledge of data protection, privacy, compliance, and digital regulation.
• Demonstrated interest in cloud technologies, artificial intelligence, and digital sovereignty topics.
• Sound legal judgment, strong analytical skills, and a practical approach to risk management.

Preferred Experience

• Exposure to technology, software, cloud services, digital platforms, or regulated industries.
• Familiarity with GDPR, AI regulation, cybersecurity frameworks, public sector contracting, or sovereignty-related topics.
• Experience working in complex, international, or matrixed organizations.

The Profile That Thrives Here

You will be successful in this role if you:

• Deliver practical and commercially meaningful legal advice.
• Are comfortable balancing legal rigor with business objectives.
• Enjoy learning about technology and understanding how legal frameworks apply in practice.
• Are curious about AI, cloud computing, digital regulation, and their broader societal and commercial implications.
• Build trusted relationships across functions and collaborate effectively within a team environment.
• Take ownership of your work while knowing when to seek input and leverage expertise from colleagues.
• Embrace innovation and are open to using technology, including AI-enabled tools, to improve how legal work is delivered.

Why This Role?

This role provides a fantastic opportunity to build (and/or improve) expertise in some of the most significant legal issues shaping the technology sector today, including AI, cloud computing, digital sovereignty, data protection, and emerging regulation, while working within a highly collaborative French and global legal organization.

AI Usage in the Recruitment Process

For information on the responsible use of AI in our recruitment process, please refer to our Guidelines for Ethical Usage of AI in the Recruiting Process.

Please note that any violation of these guidelines may result in disqualification from the hiring process.
Requisition ID: 457417  | Work Area: Administration  | Expected Travel: 0 - 10%  | Career Status: Professional  | Employment Type: Regular Full Time   | Additional Locations:  #LI-Hybrid