Job Description

At ROLI, we're redefining the boundaries between music, design, and technology. As Legal Counsel, you'll help safeguard our ideas and guide our global growth, enabling bold innovation while ensuring we scale with integrity and confidence.
About Us
At ROLI, we believe music lives inside everyone - it's a universal right. Our mission is simple: to create tools that turn all humans into music makers. From the groundbreaking Seaboard to our latest ROLI Piano and Airwave, we design intuitive instruments and technologies that make music creation more expressive, accessible, and inspiring.
We're a team of musicians, engineers, coders, researchers, and creatives of every background, united by a passion for learning, innovation, and collaboration. What we share is a drive to free the music - to empower people everywhere to connect with themselves and with others through sound.
At ROLI, this is more than work - it's a chance to unlock the music inside everyone and transform creativity worldwide.
Your Purpose
You ensure ROLI operates with confidence and integrity by managing legal risk, safeguarding intellectual property, and enabling smart, compliant growth across global markets. As our Legal Counsel, you provide pragmatic, business-focused legal advice that helps teams move fast while staying protected, empowering ROLI to innovate boldly at the intersection of music, design, and technology.
Your Responsibilities
You draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, from supplier and manufacturing contracts to SaaS, licensing, and distribution deals.
You advise on commercial strategy, risk allocation, and governance matters, ensuring decisions are both creative and compliant.
You support corporate governance, board administration, and company filings, keeping ROLI's structure sound and investor-ready.
You manage and protect ROLI's intellectual property portfolio, working closely with Engineering and Product to ensure ownership, protection, and licensing strategies align with business goals.
You provide legal guidance on employment and compliance matters across the UK, EU, and US, from offer letters and consultancy agreements to GDPR and CCPA obligations.
You develop and maintain internal policies and training that promote strong governance, legal awareness, and risk management.
You liaise with external counsel where needed, ensuring cost-effective, high-quality legal support across jurisdictions.
Who We're Looking For
You're a qualified solicitor (UK or equivalent common law jurisdiction), with at least 5 years' PQE in commercial and technology law.
You have proven experience advising hardware/software or creative technology businesses on complex contracts, IP, and licensing models (SaaS, OEM, IP commercialisation).
You combine technical legal expertise with commercial acumen, delivering clear, practical advice that balances risk with opportunity.
You're comfortable working autonomously in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, managing multiple priorities with precision and pragmatism.
You collaborate seamlessly across disciplines, from engineers and product leads to marketing and operations and communicate clearly with both legal and non-legal stakeholders.
You're curious, adaptable, and motivated by innovation in music, design, and technology.
Your Impact
You'll know you're succeeding when:
ROLI's contracts and partnerships are executed efficiently, with risks identified, mitigated, and managed.
Our intellectual property portfolio grows in strength and strategic value, underpinning product innovation.
Governance and compliance processes run smoothly, enabling confident board and investor communications.
Internal teams operate with clarity and assurance, supported by proactive legal guidance and training.
The business expands internationally with legal frameworks that enable (not slow) innovation.
Life at ROLI
This role comes with a competitive salary and a range of benefits designed to support your health, well-being, and creativity, including a healthcare cash plan, pension scheme, volunteering days, Bike2Work, access to trained counsellors, hack days, yoga classes and a product lending library. You'll also enjoy regular social events, from summer and end-of-year parties to team outings.
We embrace hybrid working, with three days in the office (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday), giving you the flexibility to balance collaboration and focus time. And because we know great work needs great fuel, you'll enjoy freshly made smoothies, breakfast pastries, and vegan lunches during the week!
Application Process
We aim to make our hiring process transparent and candidate-friendly. Here's what you can expect: * Intro Call - A conversation with our Talent Acquisition Partner to discuss your background, experience, and interest in the role.

• Hiring Manager Interview - A discussion with the Chief Financial Officer to explore your skills, approach, and fit for the team.
• Team Interview - A broader conversation with team members to explore your background and alignment with the working environment.
• Final Interview - A conversation with the Senior Leadership to align on ROLI's values and your motivation for joining us.

We strive to move efficiently through the process while giving you the opportunity to learn about the role, the team, and life at ROLI.
Inclusion & Belonging
At ROLI, we celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetics, or age. If you need any accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know - we're here to support you.

Skills Required