Fractional Director of Legal at AltaML

About the Role

AltaML is seeking a Fractional Director of Legal to serve as the company's primary legal resource on a part‑time, ongoing basis. Reporting to the CFO, this individual will own commercial contracting, corporate governance, and legal risk management, while managing outside counsel and supporting the company's board, investor, and cap table functions. This role suits an experienced legal professional — potentially supporting other clients or engagements in parallel — who wants a meaningful, embedded role at a growing company without a full‑time commitment. Scope and time commitment will be revisited periodically as AltaML's needs evolve, with the possibility of transitioning to full‑time.

Engagement Structure

Time commitment: Approximately 2–3 days per week (or equivalent hours), with flexibility based on transaction volume and business needs.

Structure options: Open to contract/consulting arrangement or part‑time employment, depending on candidate preference and tax/regulatory considerations.

Availability: Responsive availability for board meetings, urgent contract turnarounds, and time‑sensitive transaction matters, even outside core scheduled days.

Compensation: Structured as a monthly retainer or day‑rate, to be scoped based on anticipated hours; potential for equity component given AltaML's growth stage.

Commercial Contracts & Compliance

• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including client statements of work, master services agreements, NDAs, procurement and vendor contracts, and partnership agreements.
• Develop and maintain contract templates, playbooks, and approval workflows so routine agreements can move quickly even with limited legal bandwidth.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards across the jurisdictions AltaML operates in.
• Advise internal stakeholders (Sales, Delivery, People) on contractual and regulatory questions.

Corporate Governance

• Maintain corporate records, entity structures, and statutory filings across all AltaML entities.
• Ensure compliance with corporate governance obligations and internal policies.
• Support the development and maintenance of internal legal policies and procedures.

Board & Investor Relations

• Prepare board materials, resolutions, and minutes in coordination with the CFO and executive team.
• Support investor relations activities, including due diligence processes, disclosure schedules, and shareholder communications.
• Manage cap table administration, including equity issuances, option grants, and related documentation, in partnership with Finance.

Transaction Support

• Lead or support legal workstreams on corporate transactions, including financings, M&A, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships.
• Manage due diligence processes (both as a target and as an acquirer), including data room preparation and review.
• Draft and negotiate transaction‑related documents (e.g., term sheets, purchase agreements, disclosure schedules) alongside outside counsel.
• Coordinate cross‑functionally with Finance, Sales, and Delivery to ensure transactions close smoothly and post‑close obligations are tracked.

External Legal Resource Management

• Manage relationships with outside counsel across specialty areas (e.g., IP, employment, tax, litigation), including scoping, budgeting, and quality control of external work product.
• Determine when to handle matters in‑house versus engage outside counsel, optimizing for cost and risk — particularly important given limited on‑site hours.

What You Bring

• J.D. and active membership in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta (or eligibility to obtain Alberta membership, e.g., via NCA accreditation or interprovincial transfer)
• 5+ years of legal experience, including significant experience in commercial contracting and corporate law; in‑house experience strongly preferred
• Experience supporting corporate governance matters, board processes, and cap table/equity administration, ideally at a venture‑backed or growth‑stage company
• Working knowledge of technology, SaaS, or professional services contracting
• Demonstrated ability to manage outside counsel effectively and cost‑consciously
• Prior experience in a fractional, part‑time, or portfolio‑career legal role is a plus, along with the discipline to prioritize effectively across a limited number of working days
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and communication skills; comfortable advising executives and the board directly
• Highly organized and self‑directed; able to operate as a standalone legal function with minimal internal legal support

What Success Looks Like

• Contract turnaround times remain fast and predictable despite limited weekly hours, supported by strong playbooks and templates.
• Corporate governance and cap table records are accurate, current, and audit‑ready at all times.
• The board and investors receive clear, timely, well‑prepared materials and support, with no gaps caused by part‑time availability.
• Outside counsel spend is well‑managed and aligned to matters that genuinely require specialized expertise.
• The CFO and leadership team have clear visibility into legal priorities and turnaround expectations given the fractional structure.

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