Associate Director, Contracts Counsel

Overview

Location: New Haven, CT (Northeast preferred)

This role involves supporting the contracts function by working across teams to facilitate the efficient drafting, negotiation, execution, and tracking of contracts. The Associate Director, Contracts Counsel will act as a trusted business partner, providing legal advice and managing contract-related risks with a focus on collaboration, confidentiality, and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Manage the triaging process for contract requests received by the legal department
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements including master services, statements of work, clinical research organization, clinical trial, supply, consulting, confidentiality, sponsored research, and material transfer agreements
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, outside counsel, and counterparties to ensure timely contract preparation, review, negotiation, execution, tracking, and management
• Facilitate internal contract approval and execution in accordance with delegation of authority
• Advise internal clients on contract interpretation, obligations, risk exposure, dispute resolution, and other legal matters with practical business advice
• Collaborate with finance and business teams to develop spend approval, reporting, and purchasing processes; assist in managing contractual obligations such as milestones, deliverables, and invoicing
• Assist in training junior contracting staff and/or outside resources as needed
• Improve and maintain contract policies, procedures, and processes to reduce cycle times and increase efficiency
• Represent the legal department or contracts function on special projects and cross-functional initiatives
• Own and provide training on the records retention policy
• Work collaboratively with key stakeholders including senior management, internal clients, intellectual property, and finance to align contracting practices with business needs

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school
• Licensed attorney in good standing in the state of residence
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience independently drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, preferably in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, including experience in a commercial stage company
• Ability to analyze complex contracts and provide clear, actionable feedback
• Understanding of life sciences industry risks such as drug development, intellectual property, privacy laws, and fraud and abuse laws
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective interaction with internal teams, external vendors, and legal counsel
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with a positive, growth-oriented mindset
• Demonstrated business acumen integrating legal advice with sound judgment
• Commitment to integrity, ethical conduct, and handling confidential information with discretion
• Ability to travel to the headquarters office 2-4 times per month

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary range: $152,000 - $202,000
• Eligibility for annual short-term incentives (e.g., bonus)
• Eligibility for annual long-term incentives (e.g., equity)
• Actual compensation will be based on experience, skills, and education

Location

New Haven, Connecticut (Northeast preferred)