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Salary: GBP 188,000 - 245,000 / annual
CHAOS Industries is a defense technology company founded in 2022 and backed by $1 billion in funding from leading investors including 8VC, Accel, and Valor Equity Partners. The company develops a multi-product portfolio powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™) that serves warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection teams. With 350+ employees across offices in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, and London, CHAOS is scaling rapidly.
You will lead legal support for the company's growing international business as Head of International Legal. This is a hands-on leadership role reporting to senior management, responsible for owning corporate legal matters for the UK entity, leading international transactions, establishing new legal entities and structures, and advising on international expansion. You will work closely with business leaders, Contracts, Finance, People, and Compliance teams to turn international opportunities into signed agreements and functioning operations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own UK corporate legal matters, including corporate governance, statutory filings, and corporate records for the UK entity
- Lead international transactions: structure, draft, and negotiate agreements with international government and commercial customers, distributors, partners, and suppliers; support deals from initial pursuit through execution and ongoing contract performance
- Establish international entities: lead legal work for forming and maintaining subsidiaries, branches, and other international structures, coordinating with Finance, Tax, People, Compliance, and local counsel
- Advise on international growth: help leadership assess market-entry requirements, contracting structures, and local partnerships for new opportunities
- Coordinate across legal and compliance functions on export controls, sanctions, anti-bribery requirements, employment, intellectual property, and other issues affecting international operations
- Manage international outside counsel: select and direct local counsel, define scope and budgets, and deliver timely, practical advice while managing legal spend
- Build repeatable processes: develop templates, negotiation guidance, and governance practices that support efficient international contracting and entity management
- Support the business directly with clear recommendations, issue resolution, and escalation identification; role is primarily office-based with periodic international travel for negotiations, business meetings, and entity matters
Requirements:
- Qualified lawyer (admitted to practice in England and Wales or equivalent)
- 10+ years of legal experience, with significant in-house experience supporting international expansion at a growing company
- Familiarity with export controls, sanctions, and anti-bribery requirements affecting international transactions
- Experience with international distribution arrangements, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, or localization requirements
- Strong commercial judgment and ability to balance legal risk with business objectives
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
