Partner Ecosystem Lawyer at IBM

Introduction

IBM is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, and growth-oriented lawyer to join the Products and Partner Ecosystem Legal team specifically supporting Red Hat’s partner ecosystem business. In this role, you will report to the Senior Manager and Lead Counsel for Red Hat’s global Products and Partner Ecosystem organizations.

You will advise Red Hat’s Partner Ecosystem Success organization on program structures, routes to market (e.g. Cloud, Resale, Distribution, Software, and Hardware partners), corresponding terms and conditions, and manage partner topics related to product and AI related legal issues. You will assist with developing and maintaining contract templates and playbooks, leveraging AI-powered tools, and negotiating certain strategic agreements for significant partners. You’ll work closely with senior sales, finance, business architecture, engineering, and product management teams, and you’ll support our broader commercial legal team with deal guidance and subject matter expertise.

We are looking for someone who combines strong legal skills with patience and curiosity. Must be open to continuous learning and have a willingness to apply feedback constructively. The ideal candidate thrives on building trusted relationships with both internal stakeholders and external partners, communicates with clarity and empathy, and can thrive in a fast-moving environment.

Your role and responsibilities

• Advise business clients and senior leaders on the overarching Red Hat Partner Program and the creation and maintenance of partner programs that enable transactions and collaboration.

• Advise on information-sharing best practices and flag issues for competition, compliance, and privacy issues and collaborate with those respective experts.

• Lead as a subject matter expert on partner terms and Red Hat’s subscription business model.

• Draft, review, and negotiate certain strategic commercial contracts including software subscription agreements and partner agreements with hyperscalers, certification partners, and AI partners.

• Create, update, and maintain contract templates reflective of core programs and offerings.

• Collaborate with partner ecosystem, product, business architecture, and finance teams to resolve contractual and programmatic issues.

• Leverage AI solutions to streamline legal processes and improve efficiency.

• Cultivate strong working relationships with colleagues and partners by listening and offering solutions.

• Support and guide Red Hat and IBM lawyers worldwide.

Required technical and professional expertise

• License to practice law in any U.S. state.

• 7+ years of experience in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts or complex corporate transactional agreements in a leading law firm or in-house, ideally supporting software and technology services.

• Demonstrated interest in software, information technology, intellectual property, AI or related legal issues.

• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts in clear, audience-appropriate terms.

Preferred technical and professional experience

• A technical background or experience with intellectual property or open source.

• Exceptional organizational skills with an ability to manage simultaneous projects under deadline pressure.

• Ability to work with minimal supervision and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced, sometimes ambiguous environment.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively and earn trust and confidence with associates at many different levels and across organizations.

• Ability to work as part of a scalable, accountable legal team, demonstrating flexibility and personal ownership.

• Positive, can-do attitude.

IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.