Head of Legal and Venture Operations

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

Responsibilities

Serve as Head of Legal and provide 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; Managing legal transactions with portfolio companies after deal closure; Legal review of all commercial contracts; 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; Support investor relations and capital-raising initiatives by preparing materials, managing communication with HQ and consolidating portfolio updates; Partner with Managing Directors to define annual investment priorities, OKRs, and portfolio construction strategies; Act as the primary liaison between Samsung Next, Samsung HQ, and global business units; Ensure operational adherence to governance frameworks, capitalization protocols, and cross-functional reporting requirements; Manage a small team of venture operations and legal professionals

Requirements

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

Nice to have

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