Associate Counsel - IT/Tech Contracts

Scientist.com; Solana Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Scientist.com is seeking an Associate Contracts Counsel (~3 years PQE) to join a lean global legal team in Solana Beach, reporting to the UK General Counsel. You will own the commercial contracting pipeline and negotiate with Fortune 500 pharma legal teams.

You will focus on IT and technology agreements, SaaS, software licensing, and AI solutions, while collaborating with C-Suite and internal stakeholders across the USA, Canada, Europe, and Japan. Hybrid in-office/remote work is supported.

Qualifications

• Approximately 3 years PQE in-house or with a reputable law firm.
• Strong background in drafting and negotiating IT/technology contracts (SaaS, software licensing, AI).
• Ability to drive negotiations autonomously with minimal support.
• Willing to work 3 days/week in Solana Beach, CA.
• Experience in pharma, life sciences, or health-tech is a plus.
• Fluent English with excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of commercial agreements to support a global marketplace.
• Lead on negotiating IT and technology agreements, including SaaS, software licensing, and AI initiatives.
• Act as trusted legal advisor to internal stakeholders across USA, Canada, Europe, and Japan.
• Build and refine legal playbooks, templates, and scalable processes.
• Manage workload independently, escalating high-risk matters to GC as needed.

Skills

IT contracts

Independent operator

Time zone flexibility

Global liaison

Strong communication

Relocate to SD/Solana Beach

Job description

The Opportunity

Are you a tech-savvy associate looking to transition out of law firm billable hours and build a long-term in-house career?

Scientist.com is seeking an ambitious Associate Contracts Counsel (~3 years PQE) who is ready to step into a high-visibility, rapid-growth role. Reporting directly to our UK-based General Counsel, you will serve as the second attorney in a lean global legal team, working side-by-side with our Solana Beach C-Suite while taking full ownership of our commercial contracting pipeline.

This role is designed for a self-motivated attorney who doesn't need to be trained on technology terms—you already know IT licensing, AI frameworks, and global data privacy, and you're ready to apply and grow that expertise in-house.

What Sets This Role Apart (High Ownership & Growth)

• You Own the Work End-to-End: We operate lean. You will negotiate directly with Fortune 500 Pharma legal teams and C-Suite leads, while taking pride in running the contract repository, e-filing, and daily admin without assistant support.
• Immediate SME Status: You bring the IT/Tech, SaaS, AI, and data privacy subject matter expertise to the table on day one.
• Career Acceleration: You will receive direct mentorship from our GC, gain global deal experience, and build the foundation to grow into a senior legal leader.

Responsibilities

• Commercial Contracting: Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of commercial agreements to support our global marketplace operations.
• Technology & IT Focus: Take the lead on negotiating complex IT and technology agreements, including SaaS, software licensing, system integrations, punchout catalogs, and emerging AI technologies.
• Global Advisory: Act as a trusted legal business partner to internal stakeholders across the USA, Canada, Europe, and Japan, providing pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice.
• Process Optimization: Work closely with the General Counsel to build and refine legal playbooks, contract templates, and scalable legal processes for a growing global business.
• Autonomy & Ownership: Manage your own workload independently, escalating high-risk strategic matters to the General Counsel only when necessary.

Requirements

• Qualifications: ~3 years PQE (post-qualification experience, either in-house or at a reputable law firm.)
• IT Contracts Expertise: You must have a demonstrable, strong background in drafting and negotiating IT and technology contracts (specifically software, integrations, punchouts, and AI solutions).
• Independent Operator: highly organized and comfortable working without a large legal support team, and capable of driving negotiations to close autonomously.
• Time Zone Flexibility: Given our global footprint (US, Canada, Europe, Japan), you must be willing to adopt a flexible working schedule to accommodate cross-border calls and negotiations as necessary.
• Industry Knowledge: experience within the pharmaceutical, life sciences, or health-tech sectors is a distinct advantage, highly preferred.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal jargon into actionable business advice. Fluent in the English language.
• Location & Presence: Based in (or willing to relocate to) San Diego County, with the ability to work 3 days a week in our Solana Beach office to engage directly with local C-Suite executives.
• Hybrid Schedule: 3 days per week in-office at our Solana Beach headquarters to maintain direct, face-to-face alignment with our C-Suite and local leadership team, with 2 days remote flexibility.
• Global Alignment: Must be comfortable working in a hybrid environment while managing a flexible schedule to accommodate cross-border calls with our UK General Counsel and global stakeholders.

Why Join Us?

• Direct Impact: Shape the commercial legal landscape of a global marketplace.
• Mentorship: Work directly with an experienced General Counsel.
• Innovation: Be at the frontier of digital transformation in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Benefits: 401K with match, full medical/dental, HSA