Senior Corporate Counsel, EMEA

Sonder is on a mission to revolutionize hospitality and make a world of better stays open to all. No two Sonders are the same – each property has a bespoke design and contains a mix of rooms, suites, and apartments. Though each Sonder is unique, our mobile app allows guests to effortlessly navigate their stay. From check-in to checkout, everything they need is just a tap away. To be better is a never-ending pursuit and revolutions don’t happen overnight. But, together, we can forever change the way people stay, for the better.

We are looking for someone who breathes hospitality operations and is energized by the opportunity to maximize, motivate, and inspire a team to deliver an amazing Sonder guest experience. Our Sonder locations are distributed across a city in different shapes, sizes, ages, and styles, and we pride ourselves on offering a hotel-like service. That’s what you’ll own.

Life at Sonder

We aspire to build a workplace where employees can thrive. Our culture shapes how we make decisions, how we conduct meetings, how we communicate, and how we treat each other. It’s the coordinated way in which we work that gives us a shot at achieving the epic tale we hope to be part of. Our Leadership Principles are a foundational part of our culture and they play a vital role in guiding the values and actions of our team members. Each of these principles is at the heart of what we do. Check out this article to find out more about our Culture and Principles.

Sonder's legal department supports every aspect of Sonder and its domestic and international growth and operations. If you are interested in supporting the scale of a collaborative, world-class legal department, are a self-confident and experienced entrepreneurial legal professional looking for professional growth and challenges with a Nasdaq-listed company, and are aiming to have an immediate impact and responsibility, we welcome your application.

We’re looking for a Counsel, EMEA, to support our US-based attorneys with oversight of all aspects of Sonder’s legal work in EMEA.  This position may be based in the UK or Ireland.  

The successful candidate will be involved in strategic legal matters of the company, enabling the business to meet its strategic and operational objectives. 

The Opportunity:

• Oversee and direct all legal matters in EMEA, including but not limited to responsibility for corporate governance and subsidiary management, managing litigation and real estate transactions and supporting our development, operations and asset management teams.

• Participate in the definition and development of corporate policies, procedures, and programs, and ensure EMEA standards are consistent globally

• Oversee the preparation of legal documents in connection with corporate, litigation and real estate matters, and develop and implement systems for the maintenance of this documentation (or the information and powers therein).

• Anticipate, effectively communicate, and mitigate legal risks, and identify opportunities relating to current business strategies.

• Provide leadership for a high-performing organization.

• Manage internal processes and outside counsel in several legal matters. 

• Possess the gravitas and reputation to achieve effective working relationships with executives, managers, and employees at all levels throughout the company.

• Demonstrate executive presence and self-assurance, without self-importance.

• Other job-related duties and responsibilities, as required

Who We Look For:

• A qualified lawyer with a minimum of four (4) years of legal experience, ideally having worked in a major law firm and/or in a substantial and hands-on in-house counsel role.

• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (or equivalent) and registration as a lawyer or admission to the bar in respective/applicable location or jurisdiction

• Real estate and hospitality (leases, management agreements) experience preferred. 

• Proven track record of providing thoughtful, pragmatic, commercial, and strategic advice and astute guidance at the senior management level, both with regard to legal risk management and more broadly across the business.

• Experience as a business-oriented contributor in a fast-paced, high-growth, and entrepreneurial culture.

• Business acumen and support.

• Proven experience partnering with senior leaders and the business to provide legal and regulatory guidance while accomplishing business objectives.

• Experience effectively prioritizing and balancing competing interests; able to be viewed as a resource by the organization and to act as a partner to various constituencies.

• Strong leadership skills.

Critical Leadership Capabilities:

• Collaborates and openly debates with the team to manage projects, solve problems, discuss challenging issues, or learn more about critical issues as a group.

• Drives results and clear business impacts.

• Acts to surpass goals, seizing opportunities to push the envelope.

• Actively collaborates and influences within and beyond the legal team including with senior stakeholders.

• Demonstrates maturity, team spirit, and a commitment to fostering a collegial and dynamic work environment.

Benefits

We offer attractive employee travel perks for any Sonder location as well as health and lifestyle benefits. For eligible employees, benefits may include:

• Competitive compensation

• Medical, dental and vision insurance (where applicable)

• Flexible vacation

• Wellness and volunteering days

• Annual free credits and discounts to stay in Sonders

• Workplace flexibility (for remote-specified positions only) #ABetterWaytoWork

Learn More About Sonder

• Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability

• Data Privacy Policy

• Blog: Sonder Stories

• Instagram: @sonderstays

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other classification protected by applicable state, federal or local law. Extend Hospitality To All is one of Sonder’s Leadership Principles. Living up to that principle means fully embracing diversity: ensuring that all of our employees, guests, partners, and communities feel safe, respected, included, cared for, and empowered. 

As part of our commitment to creating a workplace open to all, we have created Sonder Circles, also known as employee resource groups. These groups aim to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace aligned with the communities they serve. 

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [email protected].