Overview
A growing life sciences organization is seeking a Contracts Counsel to manage a wide range of vendor and corporate contracts supporting fast-paced business operations. This role involves working closely with the contracts team to handle the full contract lifecycle from drafting through execution, while partnering with business stakeholders to provide legal support on clinical and commercial matters.
Responsibilities
- Manage contracts from intake through execution, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating vendor agreements, master service agreements (MSAs), statements of work (SOWs), non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), vendor terms and conditions, amendments, and related documents.
- Serve as primary legal support for procurement, business operations, and finance teams.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop, update, and maintain standard agreement templates and negotiation playbooks to improve efficiency and consistency.
- Identify and escalate higher-risk or non-standard contractual issues appropriately.
- Stay current with relevant legislative and regulatory changes and provide practical, business-oriented legal advice.
- Support general commercial contracting needs across the organization.
- Create, edit, and adhere to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), process improvements, and template standardization.
- Perform ad-hoc and cross-functional projects as assigned to support business needs.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
- Active membership in a State Bar Association in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (preferably California).
- Minimum of 5 years of in-house legal experience; experience within the legal department of a life sciences or pharmaceutical company is preferred.
- Substantial experience negotiating commercial agreements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience scaling contracting processes.
- Experience working with procurement functions.
Skills and Abilities
- Excellent contract drafting and negotiation skills.
- Business-minded judgment and solutions-oriented approach.
- Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within a team.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Demonstrated discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality.
Working Environment
- Hybrid work arrangement (combination of on-site and remote) or fully remote depending on geographic location.
- Regular work schedule Monday through Friday during standard business hours, with flexibility available upon manager approval.
- Must be able to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer.
- Ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 30 pounds.
Compensation
Compensation will be based on qualifications, experience, and geographic location.
- National Market (all markets except premium): $70.00 (entry-level) to $84.00 (highly experienced) per hour.
- Premium Markets (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, Boston): $80.00 (entry-level) to $96.00 (highly experienced) per hour.
Additional Information
- The organization requires employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of their start date, with accommodations considered for medical or religious reasons.
- Proof of vaccination will be required prior to start.
- The application window is expected to close 60 days after posting or sooner if the position is filled or closed.