Head of Legal and Venture Operations

About Samsung Next 

Samsung Next is a venture capital group at Samsung Electronics that makes investments in areas that affect Samsung, including AI, robotics, healthtech, consumer services, and frontier technologies. We provide early-stage capital, expertise and access to Samsung to support our portfolio companies and bring strategic value to Samsung in potential collaborations. We have a unique strategy, making a large number of investments with rapid and independent decision-making. 

About the Role
We are seeking a seasoned professional to serve as Head of Legal and Venture Operations for Samsung Next. This is a unique opportunity to gain exposure to high-potential startups across a vast array of frontier technology sectors. You will work at the intersection of law, venture capital and corporate strategy, collaborating with Samsung global offices to address critical technology initiatives and shape the future of the ecosystem. You will work closely with our Managing Directors to execute investment strategies, advising on deal activity with many of the most prominent and promising technology startups today.

In this role, you will oversee the Samsung Next Legal function, Venture Operations, managing cross-functional strategic initiatives and partnerships. 

The ideal candidate combines strong business judgment, operational discipline, deep interest in technology and startups with a familiarity with venture capital processes. Fluency in both English and Korean is required, given the cross-border scope of the role. This role is based in Mountain View, CA with in office days typically Monday to Thursday. 

Key Responsibilities

• Legal Management: 
• Serves as Head of Legal and provides counsel and oversight for all legal transactions for Samsung Next. 
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating term sheets, investment agreements, and equity documents.
• Managing the internal contract approval process and coordinating smooth closings.
• Manage any legal transactions with the portfolio companies after deal closure. 
• Legal review of all commercial contracts. 
• Investment Operations Oversight: 
• Coordinate venture workflows, track metrics related to investments and exits, and oversee information flow between investment, finance, and legal teams.
• Streamline processes across deal sourcing, diligence, investment execution, and portfolio management. Ensure timely reporting, financial oversight, and coordination between investment and support functions.
• Support investor relations and capital-raising initiatives by preparing materials, managing communication with HQ and consolidating portfolio updates.
• Strategic Planning & Execution: Partner with Managing Directors to define annual investment priorities, OKRs, and portfolio construction strategies. Drive accountability across teams to ensure goals are met.
• Cross-Border Collaboration: Act as the primary liaison between Samsung Next, Samsung HQ, and global business units, enabling alignment on strategic objectives and partnership opportunities. Communicate with key stakeholders in other Samsung business units around the world. 
• Governance & Compliance Coordination: Ensure operational adherence to governance frameworks, capitalization protocols, and cross-functional reporting requirements 
• Team Leadership: Manage a small team of venture operations and legal professionals to drive consistency, collaboration, and excellence across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and JD required. Admitted to the California Bar.
• 10+ years of professional experience in law or related field; familiarity working with venture capital / startup or technology sectors.
• Bilingual fluency in English and Korean is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and manage high-performing teams.
• Superior communication, stakeholder management, and relationship-building abilities.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the capacity to bridge high-level strategy and tactical execution

Preferred Attributes

• Proven track record in operational management, strategic planning, and cross-functional leadership in high-growth, global environments.
• Expertise navigating large-scale corporate structures and cross-border business landscapes.
• Experience in or alongside corporate venture teams, global technology firms, or large-scale innovation organizations.
• Familiarity with venture investment structures, startup ecosystems, and portfolio management best practices.
• Demonstrated success managing multi-stakeholder initiatives across time zones and cultures.

The hiring salary target is $300-350k per year for candidates with approximately 10+ years of relevant experience at the Director level. Candidates with less experience may be considered at a lower level (Sr Manager) and corresponding lower salary range.