Vice President, Corporate Counsel

OVERVIEW
Axiom Space is a human space exploration company, building era-defining space infrastructure and delivering technology-driven solutions that will empower civilization to transcend Earth. Beginning with Axiom Station, successor to the International Space Station, the company is pioneering a next-generation orbital settlement that will foster groundbreaking innovation and research in microgravity and drive the global space economy of tomorrow. Today, guided by the vision of leading humanity's expansion off planet, Axiom Space is the principal provider of commercial human spaceflight services and developer of advanced spacesuits for the Moon and beyond. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com.

Axiom Space fosters a work environment inclusive of all perspectives. We are the pioneers of commercial space, leading the transformation of low-Earth orbit into a global space marketplace. Our mission-driven team is seeking a bold and dynamic part-time Vice President, Corporate Counsel who is fueled by high accountability, execution horsepower, and driven to understand our world, science/technology, and life itself, for the benefit of all on Earth and beyond.

POSITION SUMMARY
Axiom Space seeks a Vice President, Corporate Counsel to serve as a part-time senior legal leader and trusted advisor to the General Counsel and leadership team. This role will be dedicated to supporting
the Axiom Space AEOS (Above Earth Operating System) business, and for that business will help set legal strategy, oversee key legal functions, manage risk, and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations while enabling business objectives. The Vice President, Corporate Counsel frequently acts on behalf of the General Counsel, will act as a key business partner to the AEOS business and a liaison between that business, shared corporate functions, and the rest of the Axiom business.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Legal Leadership & Strategy
· Serve as a strategic advisor to the General Counsel and leadership on legal, compliance, and risk matters.
· Help define and execute the company’s overall legal strategy in alignment with business goals.
· Act as the General Counsel’s delegate when required.
Business Partnership, Corporate Transactions, Compliance and Risk Management
· Partner with shared corporate functions, including being a primary legal team interface with the Finance function, and partner with Commercial Operations, on investigations, audits, and policy development.
· Lead or support major corporate transactions such as financing, M&A, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships.
· Oversee subsidiary governance and entity management.
· Oversee ethics and compliance with applicable federal, state, and international laws and regulations.
· Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and compliance risks across the organization.
Team & Vendor Management
· Lead, mentor, and develop paralegals, and legal operations professionals.
· Manage outside counsel relationships, budgets, and performance.
· Drive continuous improvement in legal processes, tools, and metrics.

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education & Experience
· Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
· Active license to practice law in Texas.
· 10+ years of legal experience, with a mix of law firm and in-house roles preferred.
· Significant experience advising senior leadership and managing complex legal matters.
· Experience in a highly regulated industry.
· Prior people leadership and/or functional ownership strongly preferred.
· Public company financial reporting experience preferred.
· Government contracts or international operations experience preferred.
· Experience leading compliance function preferred.
Functional Competencies
· Strong business judgment and ability to balance legal risk with commercial objectives.
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
· Proven ability to operate in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
· Uncompromising integrity and discretion.
· Collaborative leadership style with executive presence and influencing skills.
· Strong project management discipline, highly organized, and takes ownership.
· Forges strong partnership with Finance, HR and other Executive leaders.
· Uses sound judgement to problem-solve proactively, positively impacting hard challenges.
· Demonstrated organization skills to meet tight deadlines with high-quality results.
· Strong agility and adaptability to integrate quickly into a small team.

Core Skill s
· Passion for space and the mission.
· Entrepreneurial, growth mindset.
· High EQ and ability to collaborate within teams and cross-functionally.
· Tech-solutioning in using systems and tools to move smarter and faster.

Core Competencies:
Embody our core values of leadership, innovation , and teamwork . In addition, to perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
· Accountability
· Technical Rigor
· Execution Discipline
· Pride of Delivery

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Generally, an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on the task.

Requirements
· This position may require access to export controlled technical data or technology subject to NASA regulations, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). In accordance with U.S. export control laws, final candidates may be required to undergo additional export control screening to determine eligibility for access. Meeting these requirements is a condition of employment.
· Management has the prerogative to select at any level for which the position is advertised
· Must be willing to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet critical project milestones

Physical Requirements
· Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of the time)
· May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (5% of the time)
· Equipment and Machines
· Standard office equipment (PC, phone, printer, etc.)

Axiom Space is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  Axiom Space does not discriminate on the basis of race, regional color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.