Senior IP Counsel

About the role

You will advise on all aspects of intellectual property law, including copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, domain names, licensing, and brand protection as it applies to JetBrains' global business. You will develop and maintain the group's intellectual property strategy in direct alignment with our worldwide business objectives and innovation roadmap. In this role, you will provide strategic legal support to the Platform Project Office, technology startups, and innovation initiatives throughout their entire lifecycle from inception to scale. You will draft, review, and negotiate complex IP-related agreements such as licensing, SaaS, technology transfer, and collaboration contracts. You will lead the design and implementation of the group's privacy and data protection compliance program across multiple jurisdictions. You will partner with executive and functional leadership teams to protect the group's critical intellectual assets and ensure robust risk management. You will conduct IP due diligence in the context of investments, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships to safeguard the company's interests.

Key facts

What you'll do

Advise on copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, domain name, licensing, and brand protection strategies relevant to software and AI products.

Develop and maintain JetBrains' global intellectual property strategy to support product innovation and commercial growth objectives.

Provide legal support to the Platform Project Office, technology startups, and innovation initiatives throughout their lifecycle, including product development, commercialization, scaling, and strategic expansion.

Draft, review, and negotiate IP-focused agreements, including software licenses, SaaS terms, technology transfer arrangements, NDAs, and confidentiality protocols.

Own the governance of intellectual property rights, including guidance on ownership, protection, and exploitation of company-created assets.

Monitor and advise on potential infringement risks, coordinate enforcement actions, and manage external counsel on litigation and dispute resolution matters.

Conduct intellectual property due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and major commercial transactions.

Advise on intellectual property risks specific to software development, AI tools, open-source software integration, and emerging technologies.

Provide practical support for structuring IP rights, technology transfers, and data governance frameworks for new products and business initiatives.

Lead the implementation and management of the group's privacy and data protection compliance program across all business units.

Advise on compliance with GDPR, UK GDPR, ePrivacy, CCPA/CPRA, international data transfer mechanisms, and other evolving privacy regulations.

Draft, review, and maintain privacy policies, consent notices, data processing agreements, and internal governance documentation.

Oversee vendor privacy assessments, data mapping exercises, and records of processing activities to ensure operational compliance.

Partner with security and risk teams on privacy-by-design implementations, data protection impact assessments, and incident response preparedness.

Monitor global regulatory developments in privacy and intellectual property law and translate them into practical internal guidance and training.

Support internal and external audits, regulatory inquiries, investigations, and cross-jurisdictional compliance obligations.

Requirements

You hold a law degree recognized in relevant jurisdictions with eligibility to practice law in at least one jurisdiction.

You possess significant, demonstrable experience in intellectual property law and data protection/privacy compliance.

You have a proven track record of drafting and negotiating complex technology, licensing, and commercial agreements.

You have hands-on experience advising on software development, AI, open-source software, and related technology-driven initiatives.

You are experienced in conducting IP and commercial due diligence for transactions such as investments, acquisitions, and partnerships.

You understand privacy regulations and frameworks, including GDPR, UK GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, and international data transfer requirements.

You have a strong working knowledge of data protection impact assessments, data mapping, and records of processing activities.

You are comfortable operating in a fast-paced, matrixed environment with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.

You demonstrate excellent judgment, discretion, and the ability to communicate complex legal concepts to non-legal audiences.

You are fluent in English, both written and verbal, with strong drafting and analytical skills.

Nice to have

Experience with AI and emerging technologies and their associated legal and compliance implications.

Familiarity with software and SaaS commercial models and related contractual structures.

Knowledge of open-source software compliance frameworks and best practices.

Experience advising technology startups and supporting innovation programs.

Understanding of technology transactions and IP commercialization strategies.

Practical notes

This is a full-time role based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and London, United Kingdom.

Travel may be required between locations and to client or regulatory sites as needed.

Visa sponsorship may be considered for eligible candidates based on jurisdictional requirements and business needs.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.