Principal Corporate Counsel in Toronto

Members of the Legal organization at select locations will generally be expected to follow a hybrid work model.

You will join a dynamic in-house legal department that is actively redefining the practice of law through technology, both internally and on a global scale. We thrive in a fast-paced environment where our team’s shared passion drives Cisco’s business growth and enables our customers’ digital transformation journeys.

As a Principal Corporate Counsel for Cisco Systems Canada Co., you will serve as a strategic legal advisor, driving operational excellence and commercial success. You will provide comprehensive transactional support to our Canadian sales teams, leading the drafting and negotiation of complex commercial agreements—including software licenses, product and service purchases, cloud and XaaS agreements, and channel and alliance partnerships. By partnering directly with management, you will provide high-level risk assessments and practical, solution-oriented mentorship that advances our business objectives while ensuring strict alignment with Cisco’s global strategy. Your scope includes a specialized focus on data protection, security, and regulatory frameworks.

A key aspect of this role is your dedication to innovation; you will actively integrate AI technologies into your daily practice to optimize legal research, accelerate contract analysis, and improve the efficiency of document reviews. In addition to your regional responsibilities, you will participate in key global initiatives alongside cross‑functional legal teams to drive wider organizational alignment. By coordinating the implementation of corporate legal policies, you will uphold our high standards for governance and compliance. Throughout these efforts, you will act as a vital bridge between the legal department and internal stakeholders, ensuring our processes remain agile, scalable, and fully responsive to the fast‑evolving needs of the sales environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Professional Experience: Bar Admission or JD with 7+ years of experience in commercial and corporate law, gained at a top‑tier law firm, a multinational corporate legal department, or equivalent practice (technology, data protection, or telecommunications).
• Contractual Expertise: Proven track record to independently draft and negotiate sophisticated commercial technology contracts, including software licenses, cloud, and SaaS agreements.
• Data & Security: Substantive expertise in data protection and information security as applied to commercial transactions.
• Procurement Knowledge: Familiarity with public procurement and tendering rules, with a track record of supporting public RFPs considered a significant asset.
• Technical Proficiency: High proficiency in enterprise communications systems and contract lifecycle management (CLM) platforms, with a demonstrated ability to integrate AI‑powered legal tools into daily operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Agility & Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment, managing shifting priorities, tight deadlines, and evolving workloads with ease.
• Continuous Improvement: A natural curiosity and drive to learn, paired with a commitment to applying those insights to enhance personal workflows and team efficiency.
• Client‑Centric Approach: A professional who demonstrates respect and maintains a positive, customer‑centric attitude in all circumstances.
• Language & Location: Proficiency in both English and French is preferred. The ideal candidate will be based in Toronto.

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere. We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.