Senior Counsel, Commercial

Axios is a digital media company focused on breaking news and invaluable insights across business, technology, politics, and media. We are hiring a Senior Counsel, Commercial to join our collaborative legal team and serve as a key legal partner to our revenue, product, and operations teams.

This is a high-visibility, broad-scope role. You will independently counsel senior business leaders, own significant commercial matters end-to-end, and help shape practical solutions as Axios develops new products, partnerships, and growth opportunities.

We are looking for a pragmatic, self-directed attorney with strong commercial judgment who will:

• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of commercial agreements, including advertising sales, sponsorships, events, customer subscriptions, content licensing, vendor, technology, and strategic agreements.
• Own commercial legal intake and workflow: prioritize and delegate work, improve playbooks and templates, and help implement self-service tools and automation to handle volume efficiently.
• Provide practical, business-focused advice that balances legal risk with commercial objectives and helps teams reach workable solutions.
• Advise on new products and features, sales and marketing initiatives, advertising and sponsorships, new revenue opportunities, and day-to-day business matters.
• Identify legal implications across privacy, IP, regulatory, and operational issues.
• Provide practical privacy and data-use counseling, including DPAs, privacy policy updates, and data-use questions, and exercise judgment about when specialized support is warranted.
• Handle routine commercial disputes and other business issues and escalate significant or high-risk matters thoughtfully.
• Scope and manage outside counsel efficiently and translate legal advice into clear, actionable recommendations for business leaders.
• Stay current on legal developments relevant to digital media and technology.
• Contribute to cross-functional and Legal team initiatives as needed.

Ideal candidates will embody an entrepreneurial spirit and passion for Axios' mission. This position requires:

• 6+ years of relevant legal experience, including significant in-house commercial experience; law firm experience a plus.
• Experience advising on product, sales, marketing, advertising, sponsorships, and digital media matters; digital media experience strongly preferred.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills, with a track record of independently leading sophisticated commercial transactions.
• Broad issue-spotting skills and experience to identify and advise on legal and business risks beyond the contract.
• Pragmatic risk assessment that balances legal protection with business agility and avoids over-lawyering.
• Proven ability to operate independently, own matters end-to-end, and advise senior business leaders with sound judgment and confidence.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and a collaborative, solution-oriented approach.
• Ability to move quickly, prioritize competing demands, and communicate clearly and succinctly.
• AI aptitude and comfort using AI-enabled tools and workflows to work more effectively.

Starting salary for this role is in the range of $175,000 - $205,000 and is dependent on numerous factors, including but not limited to location, work experience, and skills.

Axios offers:

• 401(k) with employer match
• Robust PPO and High Deductible health insurance options on the Blue Cross Blue Shield network
• Employer Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution for the high-deductible health plan option
• Dental and vision coverage
• Primary caregiver 12-week paid leave
• Generous vacation policy, plus holidays
• One mental health day per quarter
• Annual learning and development stipend
• $100 monthly work-from-home stipend
• Tele-mental health services through Headspace
• OneMedical membership, including tele-health services
• Personal health advocacy resources through HealthAdvocate
• Inclusive fertility, hormonal health and family forming benefits through Carrot Fertility
• Access to the Axios 'Family Fund', which was created to allow employees to request financial support when facing financial hardship or emergencies
• Increased work flexibility for parents and caretakers
• Virtual company-sponsored social events
• A strong and positive work environment
• A commitment to an open, inclusive, and diverse work culture