General Counsel & Vice President, Legal and Regulatory Affairs

Our mission is to provide real-time on-orbit connectivity for critical missions, enabling a new era of data-driven intelligence and innovation. With 33 satellites launched to date, Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities. 

Key Responsibilities:

Executive Leadership:

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO, executive leadership team, and Board of Directors on legal, regulatory, governance, and business matters

• Develop and execute Kepler's global legal and regulatory strategy aligned with company objectives  

• Lead and develop a high-performing Legal and Regulatory Affairs organization  

• Build strong partnerships across Engineering, Product, Sales, Finance, HR, Security, and Operations

• Present regularly to executive leadership and the Board regarding legal, regulatory, compliance, and policy developments  

 Legal Leadership: 

• Lead all corporate legal matters including commercial contracts, strategic partnerships, customer agreements, supplier agreements, employment law, intellectual property, litigation management, privacy, cybersecurity, and corporate governance

• Oversee mergers, acquisitions, investments, financing transactions, and other strategic corporate initiatives  

• Manage corporate structure and legal entities across multiple jurisdictions 

• Ensure compliance with domestic and international laws affecting Kepler's business  

• Develop scalable legal processes, templates, and governance frameworks appropriate for a high-growth technology company  

• Manage outside counsel globally while optimizing legal spend 

• Advise leadership on legal risk and develop practical business-focused solutions 

Regulatory Affairs: 

• Lead and evolve Kepler's global spectrum strategy, including frequency planning, ITU coordination, national licensing, and global market access  

• Oversee regulatory engagement with agencies including the FCC, ISED Canada, Ofcom, BNetzA, the ITU, and other international regulators 

• Direct spectrum filings, licensing, coordination activities, and interference mitigation strategies supporting Kepler's satellite constellation and future technologies 

• Monitor evolving international regulatory frameworks and represent Kepler in global policy discussions including the ITU, CEPT, CITEL, and other industry forums 

• Protect and expand Kepler's spectrum assets while supporting long-term growth and innovation  

Government & Public Policy 

• Develop and lead Kepler's global government relations strategy 

• Build relationships with government agencies, regulators, industry associations, and policymakers  

• Support strategic government and defense business initiatives

• Represent Kepler externally on legal, regulatory, and policy matters

• Help influence legislation and policy supporting commercial space operations  

Compliance & Risk: 

• Lead enterprise compliance programs  

• Oversee export control, sanctions, anti-corruption, privacy, government contracting, ethics, and corporate compliance  

• Maintain governance processes supporting Board operations 

• Identify enterprise legal and regulatory risks and develop mitigation strategies  

• Support internal investigations and risk management activities 

Leadership Responsibilities: 

• Lead Legal and Regulatory Affairs teams.  

• Recruit, mentor, and develop high-performing professionals

• Establish priorities aligned with business strategy 

• Manage outside counsel and regulatory consultants globally

• Foster collaboration across all business functions

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

• Licensed to practice law in the United States or Canada

• 15+ years of progressively responsible legal leadership experience

• Significant experience supporting executive leadership and Boards of Directors

• Experience negotiating complex commercial agreements

• Strong knowledge of corporate governance and international business law

• Experience managing legal teams and outside counsel 

• Exceptional communication and executive presentation skills

• Occasional on-site presence at the Toronto HQ location

Bonus Points:

• Experience within aerospace, satellite communications, telecommunications, or other highly regulated technology industries

• Deep understanding of spectrum regulation, satellite licensing, FCC, ISED, ITU, and international regulatory frameworks

• Experience supporting government and defense programs  

• Familiarity with export controls (ITAR, EAR, CGP) and government security requirements

• Experience working in venture-backed or high-growth technology companies

• Experience with international corporate structures and global operations