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 act as a key strategic partner, collaborating closely with senior leadership, Corporate Development, R&D, and other cross-functional stakeholders to support and execute corporate development and research strategies.

Responsibilities

• Serve 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 other 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, transaction feasibility, and alignment with R&D and corporate priorities.
• Support R&D teams with transactional and strategic 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 drafting and negotiating IP licensing agreements, and collaborate with product, engineering, and IP teams to align deal terms with innovation and commercial objectives.
• Advise on SEC-reportable public company transactions, including equity and debt financings, securities offerings, and related disclosure obligations, ensuring compliance with securities laws.
• Support post-closing integration and ongoing strategic alliances to ensure alignment with deal rationale, scientific objectives, 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 high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective legal support.
• Identify and assess antitrust and regulatory considerations, including HSR filing requirements and global regulatory clearance obligations.
• Advise on legal considerations for publicly traded company transactions, including securities law compliance, disclosure obligations, and governance requirements.
• Monitor and help ensure compliance with applicable securities, corporate, and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of legal processes, templates, and frameworks supporting scalable growth.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Minimum of 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.
• Demonstrated experience leading or materially contributing to complex M&A, collaboration, and other strategic transactions.
• Experience leading and supporting complex intellectual property transactions, including IP licensing agreements.
• Experience supporting SEC-reportable public company transactions, including equity and debt financings, securities offerings, and related disclosure obligations.
• 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.
• Ability to think strategically and 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.
• Comfort influencing decision-making and providing counsel beyond pure legal analysis.
• Familiarity with regulated industry considerations, including clinical development and research operations.
• Desire to grow into a broader strategic in-house counsel role.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary range: $220,000.00 - $330,000.00 (for U.S.-based candidates).
• Individual compensation within this range 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, and 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.