Senior Contracts Attorney

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Contracts Attorney based in the United States.

This role offers an opportunity to provide strategic legal guidance across a growing life sciences and biotechnology business. Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, you will advise business teams on a broad range of commercial, transactional, and corporate matters while managing complex agreements from drafting through negotiation and execution. You will work closely with stakeholders across the organization, including quality and operational teams, to support business objectives while identifying and managing legal and commercial risks. The position also involves maintaining contract management systems, improving legal processes, and supporting intellectual property matters. With significant autonomy and exposure to high-value commercial relationships, this opportunity is suited to an experienced attorney who combines strong legal expertise with practical business judgment. The role offers remote or hybrid flexibility, with periodic travel and occasional schedule adjustments to support business needs.

Accountabilities

• Act as a trusted legal advisor to business units on corporate, commercial, transactional, and contractual matters.

• Draft, review, negotiate, and execute a wide range of commercial agreements, including GMP supply agreements, technology license and sublicense agreements, quality technical agreements, OEM and distribution agreements, master services agreements, confidentiality agreements, consulting agreements, leases, and vendor agreements.

• Manage the full deal lifecycle for transactions involving biopharmaceutical companies, contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), academic institutions, and other institutional partners.

• Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Quality Control teams on Quality Technical Agreements supporting GMP customer engagements.

• Identify, assess, and communicate legal and commercial risks to internal stakeholders, providing practical recommendations and guidance on resolution.

• Develop, maintain, and improve contract templates and the internal contract management system.

• Participate in commercial negotiations with internal business teams and external counterparties.

• Support and manage intellectual property matters as needed, including trademark management and freedom-to-operate inquiries.

• Track and manage performance metrics for the legal contracts function, including legal intake volumes and contract turnaround times.

• Strategically manage complex legal and commercial matters and facilitate their resolution both within and outside the organization.

• Serve as a trusted subject matter expert, demonstrating ethical leadership and sound legal judgment.

• Balance competing priorities, manage stakeholder expectations, and communicate effectively across organizational levels.

• Coordinate and use external legal counsel resources strategically when appropriate.

Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree; an academic or professional background in science is preferred.

• At least 6 years of transactional legal experience, including commercial contract drafting and negotiation at a law firm and/or within a life sciences company.

• Active membership in good standing with a state bar association; California Bar membership is preferred.

• Experience with GMP agreements, Quality Technical Agreements, and technology licensing is preferred.

• Ability to independently manage a high-volume workload, exercise sound judgment, and recognize when complex or high-risk matters should be escalated.

• Strong understanding of commercial and transactional legal matters, with the ability to provide practical advice aligned with business objectives.

• Familiarity with intellectual property concepts, including patent law.

• Excellent strategic judgment, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the diplomacy and confidence to work effectively with stakeholders at all organizational levels.

• Highly collaborative approach, attention to detail, and ability to navigate disagreements and resolve conflicts constructively.

• Self-starter with strong organizational and prioritization skills, adaptability, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.

• Ability to manage external counsel relationships and resources effectively.

Additional role considerations:

• Remote or hybrid work arrangement, subject to internal approval.

• Preferred candidates are based in the San Francisco Bay Area or Atlanta.

• Periodic travel may be required.

• Some flexibility in working hours may be necessary to accommodate transaction timelines and business priorities.

Benefits:

• Annual salary range of $100,000–$152,000.

• Remote or hybrid working arrangement, subject to approval.

How Jobgether works:

We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.

We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!

Why Apply Through Jobgether?

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