What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Counsel position at Windward?
As Windward expands its US presence, we are establishing a dedicated legal function to support our growing US government business. This is an opportunity to shape legal strategy in a mission-critical, high-growth environment.
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to join our US office in Washington, D.C. This role will serve as the primary legal advisor for Windward's US operations, providing hands-on counsel across US government contracting, commercial agreements, and regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will work with Windward's sales team and will support Windward's Facility Clearance (FCL).
Key Responsibilities
US Government Agreements & Contracting
- Draft, negotiate, and manage federal government contracts and subcontracts, including FAR/DFARS-compliant agreements.
- Advise on bid and proposal activities, teaming agreements, and joint ventures with prime contractors and systems integrators.
- Ensure compliance with government contracting regulations.
- Serve as the primary legal point of contact for contracting officers and government legal counterparts.
Commercial Agreements
- Draft and negotiate commercial contracts including SaaS agreements, data licensing deals, channel partner agreements, and NDAs.
- Support business development and sales teams on commercial deal structuring.
Facility Clearance (FCL) Support
- Support implementation of and ongoing compliance with the company's FOCI mitigation arrangements.
- Work with Windward's FSO in maintaining and expanding the company's FCL.
- Review and provide legal guidance on classified contracts, DD Forms 254.
US Office Legal Matters
- Advise leadership on day-to-day legal matters affecting the US office, including employment, corporate, and operational issues.
- Manage relationships with external US counsel, coordinating specialist advice on employment, litigation, and regulatory matters as needed.
- Draft and review employment agreements, offer letters, NDAs, and HR policies in compliance with applicable federal and state law.
- Advise on workplace policies, employee relations, and other general legal questions arising in the US office.
FedRAMP Support
- Provide legal support for Windward's FedRAMP authorization process.
- Ensure ongoing compliance with FedRAMP continuous monitoring contractual obligations.
Qualifications
Required
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school; active bar membership in good standing (DC bar).
- Minimum 5 years of experience in US government contracts law, with direct experience drafting and negotiating federal procurement agreements.
- Strong drafting, negotiation, and communication skills; ability to advise business stakeholders at all levels.
Preferred
- Active US security clearance preferred.
- Experience supporting or advising on Facility Clearance operations under DCSA requirements.
- Experience with commercial SaaS or data licensing agreements.
- Experience with FedRAMP authorization processes.
- Background in the intelligence community.
- Prior in-house experience at a technology, defence, or government contracting company