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ABOUT RETOOL
Nearly every company in the world runs on custom software for critical operations like tracking performance metrics, handling customer support workflows, building admin dashboards, and countless other processes you might not have even thought of. But most companies don't have adequate resources to properly invest in these tools, leading to a lot of old and clunky internal software or, even worse, users still stuck in manual and spreadsheet flows.
At Retool, we’re building the first enterprise AppGen platform: software that transforms natural language into production-ready code, integrates directly with business data, and meets the highest standards of security and governance. AI is redefining what it means to build software—and who gets to build it. The definition of “developer” now includes analysts, operators, and domain experts creating solutions directly. As the pool of builders widens, so does the complexity of what they need to build. The opportunity is enormous, but so is the challenge of enabling this larger community to build production-grade software safely. That means AI that understands real business data, enforces enterprise policies automatically, and empowers teams to create once and reuse everywhere with shared, trusted components.
Over 100 million hours of work has been automated by developers and domain experts using our platform, freeing them to focus on creative problem-solving and strategic initiatives that drive real business value. The people closest to knowing what needs to be built can now safely create custom solutions within enterprise guardrails. And that's a mission worth striving for.
Let's build the future together!
As our VP, Legal (Head of Legal), you will be a key member of the executive leadership team, owning our legal strategy, compliance framework, and risk management function. You’ll partner across the company (including with the CEO, COO, CFO, product, operations, and engineering teams) to ensure our business is built on a strong legal foundation. You will lead the legal & compliance team, establish scalable processes, and serve as a trusted advisor on high-stakes decisions.
IN THIS ROLE, YOU’LL:- Develop and execute the company’s legal strategy: manage corporate governance, board relationships, equity and debt transactions, intellectual property, and major commercial agreements.
- Oversee legal operations: lead internal legal team and external counsel, ensure contract management systems are robust, etc.
- Build and scale compliance and risk frameworks: exportable policies for privacy/data protection (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), export controls, export licensing, employment law, regulatory matters, AI governance/policy, and global operations.
- Partner with product and engineering: craft clear legal guardrails around product development, data usage, AI/ML initiatives, vendor relationships, third-party integrations and licensing.
- Serve as a key advisor on business growth initiatives: support fundraising, M&A, joint ventures, strategic partnerships, and overseas expansion.
- Interface with investors, the board of directors, and senior leadership: ensure accurate disclosures, assist with investor relations, and present legal viewpoints in high-level forums.
- Build, mentor and lead a high-performing legal team: hire business-facing legal professionals, define career paths, set performance metrics, and instill best practices.
- Maintain a strong control and ethical environment: ensure company compliance with applicable laws and regulations, monitor evolving legal/regulatory landscape, conduct investigations when necessary, and foster a culture of integrity.
- You are a seasoned legal executive with experience, including significant in-house leadership exposure and oversight of commercial, corporate, and regulatory matters.
- You’ve operated in high-growth, scaling companies (ideally in tech/SaaS) and understand what changes when you move from 500 to 1000+ people.
- You are both strategic and operational: you can shape multi-year legal strategy and you can roll up your sleeves to negotiate the details of a complex contract or lead a compliance investigation.
- You are an excellent communicator: you distill complex legal concepts into clear, actionable insights for business partners with diverse backgrounds.
- You thrive in ambiguity: you can prioritize, set direction and deliver as the business inevitably changes.
- You have a business-first mindset: you view legal as a strategic enabler, not a barrier.
- Preferred: experience with SaaS/tech companies, global operations, fundraising (equity, debt), M&A, and managing regulatory risk (privacy, cybersecurity, data, export controls).
- You’ll be joining at a pivotal moment of scale: your contributions will shape the legal and risk DNA of the company for years to come.
- You’ll work with a team that values transparency, ownership and cross-functional collaboration.
- Competitive compensation, equity package, great benefits (medical/dental/vision + 401(k)), generous time off, flexible working model.
- Hybrid working model, based in San Francisco with flexibility for remote days.
For candidates based in San Francisco, the pay range(s) for this role is listed below and represents base salary range for non-commissionable roles or on-target earnings (OTE) for commissionable roles. This salary range may be inclusive of several career levels at Retool and will be narrowed during the interview process based on a number of factors such as (but not limited to), scope and responsibilities, the candidate’s experience and qualifications, and location.
Additional compensation in the form(s) of equity, and/or commission/bonuses are dependent on the position offered. Retool provides a comprehensive benefit plan, including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k). Pay and benefits are subject to change at any time, consistent with the terms of any applicable compensation or benefit plans.
Retool offers generous benefits to all employees and hybrid work location. For more information, please visit the benefits and perks section of our careers page!
Retool is currently set up to employ all roles in the US and specific roles in the UK. To find roles that can be employed in the UK, please refer to our careers page and review the indicated locations.
Retool New York, New York, USA Office
Retool NYC is in the heart of the Flatiron District, with tons of shopping and dining nearby. The 23rd Street station is just a short walk away. We have limited bike storage and 24/7 security.
What you need to know about the NYC Tech Scene
Key Facts About NYC Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 549,200; 6% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Capgemini, Bloomberg, IBM, Spotify
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, Fintech
- Funding Landscape: $25.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Greycroft, Thrive Capital, Union Square Ventures, FirstMark Capital, Tiger Global Management, Tribeca Venture Partners, Insight Partners, Two Sigma Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: Columbia University, New York University, Fordham University, CUNY, AI Now Institute, Flatiron Institute, C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics, NASA Space Radiation Laboratory
