Associate Director, Clinical Contracts Counsel

Overview

This role supports the organization’s clinical contracting needs as part of the Legal team. The Clinical Contracts Counsel will draft, negotiate, and manage a broad range of clinical and operational agreements that enable research, development, and corporate objectives.

The ideal candidate is solutions-oriented, highly organized, and collaborative, with a strong client-service mindset. Negotiating clinical trial agreements is required, along with experience managing contract workflows and supporting contract lifecycle management systems.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Contracts Counsel, this position works closely with cross-functional partners to protect the organization’s legal interests while facilitating efficient, practical, business-aligned contracting processes.

Responsibilities

Contract Drafting and Authoring

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements in support of clinical operations, including:
  • Clinical trial agreements
  • Confidentiality agreements
  • Master services agreements and ancillary contracts
  • Consulting agreements
  • Informed consent forms
• Develop clear, practical, and risk-balanced contract terms aligned with business objectives.
• Customize contract structures and terms to address evolving business needs while maintaining consistency with organizational standards.

Contract Review and Analysis

• Review and analyze contracts to identify legal risks, compliance considerations, and business implications.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to understand operational objectives and provide guidance on contractual rights, obligations, and risk trade-offs.
• Ensure alignment with company policies, legal requirements, and strategic priorities; escalate complex or high-risk issues as appropriate.

Legal Advisory

• Provide practical, business-focused legal advice to internal stakeholders on contract-related matters.
• Advise on key contractual issues including:
  • Intellectual property
  • Indemnification
  • Limitation of liability
  • Confidentiality
  • Other legal considerations impacting contract negotiations
• Develop and deliver training materials, guidance, and presentations to educate internal teams on contract processes, policies, and best practices.

Contracts Compliance

• Monitor contractual obligations to support compliance with agreed terms and conditions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to implement processes that promote contract compliance and mitigate legal and operational risk.
• Assist with internal audits, issue resolution, and continuous improvement of contracting practices.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school with active bar membership (Washington preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of combined law firm and/or in-house legal experience within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences industry.
• Minimum of 2 years of direct experience serving as a contracts attorney with responsibility for drafting and negotiating clinical trial agreements.

Preferred Qualifications

• AmLaw 100 law firm experience strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting clinical operations contracting required.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong understanding of contracts law, US and ex-US clinical study frameworks, and relevant regulatory considerations.
• Excellent analytical skills with strong attention to detail; ability to apply legal judgment in a business context.
• Effective negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Solutions-driven, collaborative, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Demonstrated client-service mindset and ability to work effectively across functions.

Compensation & Benefits

• Washington State Pay Range: $205,105 - $225,827 USD

Location

• Washington State