Director, Corporate Counsel, Strategic Transactions

Overview

A global biopharmaceutical organization is seeking a Director, Corporate Counsel - Strategic Transactions to join their Legal team. This role will serve as a key strategic partner, working closely with senior leadership, Corporate Development, R&D, and other cross-functional stakeholders to support and execute corporate development and research strategies.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted legal and strategic advisor on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, licensing, joint ventures, equity investments, collaborations, and other strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal teams to evaluate, structure, and execute transactions aligned with long-term corporate, scientific, and growth objectives.
• Lead and manage M&A and strategic transactions from initial strategy through closing and integration, including due diligence, drafting, negotiating agreements, and coordinating cross-functional teams.
• Provide legal insight during early-stage deal assessments, including risk identification, strategic alternatives, and transaction feasibility.
• Support R&D teams with legal matters related to research collaborations, clinical study agreements, sponsored research, development and option agreements, and other R&D-focused transactions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of strategic and R&D-related agreements such as NDAs, letters of intent, collaboration and alliance agreements, and complex clinical trial agreements.
• Lead and support complex intellectual property transactions, including IP licensing agreements, working closely with product, engineering, and IP teams.
• Advise on SEC-reportable public company transactions including equity and debt financings, securities offerings, and related disclosure obligations.
• Support post-closing integration and ongoing strategic alliances to ensure alignment with deal rationale and business goals.
• Collaborate with Finance, Corporate Development, Alliance Management, R&D, HR, Tax, and other functions to support enterprise-wide objectives.
• Manage external counsel to ensure efficient and cost-effective legal support.
• Identify and assess antitrust and regulatory considerations, including HSR filing requirements and global regulatory clearances.
• Advise on legal considerations for publicly traded company transactions, including securities law compliance and governance requirements.
• Monitor compliance with applicable securities, corporate, and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of legal processes, templates, and frameworks to support scalable growth.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant legal experience with a strong focus on M&A and corporate transactions.
• Experience at a top-tier or well-regarded law firm and/or in-house legal department.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences industry is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading or materially contributing to complex M&A, collaboration, and other strategic transactions.
• Experience with complex intellectual property transactions, including drafting and negotiating IP licensing agreements.
• Experience supporting SEC-reportable public company transactions, including equity and debt financings and securities offerings.
• Familiarity with R&D-related agreements such as collaboration, clinical trial, or sponsored research agreements is a plus.
• Working knowledge of broader corporate legal areas such as governance, securities, commercial contracts, or litigation management.
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal advice.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience partnering closely with Corporate Development and advising senior leadership.
• Ability to influence decision-making and provide counsel beyond pure legal analysis.
• Familiarity with regulated industry considerations, including clinical development and research operations.
• Interest in growing into a broader strategic in-house counsel role.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary range: $220,000.00 - $330,000.00 (U.S. based candidates only).
• Individual compensation depends on qualifications, skills, experience, and other factors.
• Eligibility for discretionary annual cash bonus or incentive compensation.
• Potential for discretionary equity grants.
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement savings plan, and flexible paid vacation.

Location

This position is based in the United States. Specific location details are not provided.