Associate General Counsel, Investigations | Ethics & Compliance

Neurocrine Biosciences; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 258,000 - 352,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Annual bonus 35% target

Equity-based long-term incentive

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Neurocrine Biosciences seeks an Associate General Counsel, Ethics & Compliance Investigations to lead its enterprise investigations program. Reporting to the Chief Compliance Officer, this role sets strategy, oversees the Hotline, and partners with Legal, HR, and the business to strengthen a culture of integrity and accountability.

You will lead complex, high-risk investigations, develop governance standards, and translate findings into meaningful program improvements across the organization.

Qualifications

• JD degree from an accredited law school.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible legal experience in regulated industry.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Deep expertise in ethics & compliance investigations and hotline governance.

Responsibilities

• Set strategy and operating standards for enterprise investigations program.
• Advise senior leaders on complex legal and regulatory matters; report to Board as needed.
• Translate findings into improvements to policies, controls, and training.
• Lead the Enterprise Investigations Program and governance.
• Oversee investigation methodologies, documentation standards, and QA processes.
• Direct high-risk investigations and manage outside counsel when required.
• Develop corrective actions and organizational learning from investigations.
• Develop metrics and dashboards for leadership and the Board.
• Lead talent development within the Internal Investigations team.

Skills

Legal leadership

Investigations leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder influence

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Who We Are:

Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading biopharmaceutical company with a simple purpose: to relieve suffering for people with great needs. We are dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing life-changing treatments for patients with under-addressed neurological, psychiatric, endocrine and immunological disorders. The company's diverse portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington's disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome, endometriosis* and uterine fibroids*, as well as a robust pipeline including multiple compounds in mid- to late-phase clinical development across our core therapeutic areas. For more than three decades, we have applied our unique insight into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems to treat complex conditions. We relentlessly pursue medicines to ease the burden of debilitating diseases and disorders, because you deserve brave science. For more information, visit neurocrine.com, and follow the company on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and YouTube. (*in collaboration with AbbVie)

About the Role:

We are seeking an accomplished Associate General Counsel, Ethics & Compliance Investigations to lead our enterprise Ethics & Compliance investigations program. Reporting to the Chief Compliance Officer, this highly visible leadership role will set the strategy and standards for investigations, oversee the Ethics & Compliance Hotline and complex, high-risk matters, and translate investigation findings and trends into meaningful organizational improvements. As a trusted advisor to senior leadership, this leader will partner across Legal, Human Resources, Compliance, and the business while developing the Internal Investigations function and strengthening a culture of integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct.

Your Contributions

• Set the strategy and operating standards for Neurocrine’s enterprise Ethics & Compliance investigations program, ensuring matters are addressed objectively, consistently, and effectively
• Advise senior leaders on complex legal, regulatory, reputational, and employee-relations matters and provide the Compliance Committee and Board with insights into emerging risks and investigation trends
• Translate investigation findings and root causes into meaningful improvements to policies, controls, training, processes, and overall compliance program effectiveness
• Lead the Enterprise Investigations Program
• Develop and continuously strengthen investigation governance, policies, methodologies, documentation standards, quality assurance processes, and investigative best practices
• Ensure investigations are conducted consistently, objectively, confidentially, and in accordance with Company policies, applicable laws, and regulatory expectations
• Oversee Hotline, Intake & Case Governance
• Oversee the Ethics & Compliance Hotline and other reporting channels, including case intake, risk assessment, triage, prioritization, escalation, and assignment
• Establish metrics and service standards to monitor investigation timeliness, quality, resolution, and overall program effectiveness
• Direct Complex & High-Risk Investigations
• Lead or oversee sensitive investigations involving potential violations of the Code of Conduct, Company policies, healthcare laws, anti-corruption requirements, privacy requirements, and other legal or regulatory obligations
• Develop investigation strategies; oversee interviews, evidence collection and analysis; prepare executive-level findings and recommendations; and manage outside counsel and external advisors as appropriate
• Drive Corrective Action & Organizational Learning
• Partner with Human Resources, Legal, Compliance, and business leaders on corrective actions, remediation plans, and appropriate disciplinary recommendations
• Conduct root cause analyses and use investigation findings and trends to strengthen controls, policies, procedures, training, and broader compliance program effectiveness
• Advance Program Strategy & Continuous Improvement
• Develop investigation metrics, dashboards, and trend analyses for executive leadership, the Compliance Committee, and the Board, translating emerging risks into proactive program enhancements
• Oversee investigation technologies and case management processes and support audits, regulatory inspections, government inquiries, and investigations as appropriate
• Lead & Develop Talent
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop the Internal Investigations team while establishing clear priorities, performance expectations, and development plans
• Foster a high-performing culture grounded in integrity, accountability, collaboration, sound judgment, and continuous improvement

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
• 10+ years of progressively responsible legal experience, including significant experience conducting and overseeing internal compliance investigations within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or another highly regulated industry
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction is required
• Deep expertise leading corporate Ethics & Compliance investigations programs in highly regulated environments, including Hotline governance, risk-based triage, complex investigations, case management, and program governance
• Extensive knowledge of healthcare compliance requirements, including the Anti-Kickback Statute, False Claims Act, FDA regulatory requirements, FCPA, and other applicable healthcare laws and regulations
• Exceptional investigative and business judgment, with the ability to assess sensitive allegations, develop investigation strategies, evaluate evidence, conduct root cause analysis, and communicate objective, well-supported conclusions
• Demonstrated ability to advise and influence senior leaders, governance committees, and Boards while maintaining independence, credibility, discretion, and sound judgment
• Proven people leadership and cross-functional influence, including developing experienced professionals, leading through change, building consensus, and managing outside counsel and external investigation resources

#LI-CL1

Neurocrine Biosciences is an EEO/Disability/Vets employer.

We are committed to building a workplace of belonging, respect, and empowerment, and we recognize there are a variety of ways to meet our requirements. We are looking for the best candidate for the job and encourage you to apply even if your experience or qualifications don’t line up to exactly what we have outlined in the job description.

Salary & Benefits

The annual base salary we reasonably expect to pay is $258,000.00-$352,000.00. Individual pay decisions depend on various factors, such as primary work location, complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus with a target of 35% of the earned base salary and eligibility to participate in our equity based long term incentive program. Benefits offered include a retirement savings plan (with company match), paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

Company Recognition

We are a top place to work. Neurocrine Biosciences was named one of the FORTUNE Best Workplaces in Biopharma™ 2025. We were also named a Great Place to Work® Certified company. ©2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license.

OUR VALUES

• PASSION: We are driven and love what we do. We are committed to our goals and to making a difference.
• INTEGRITY: We do the right thing for patients and our community. We take accountability. We speak up.
• COLLABORATION: We trust one another. We are inclusive. We are respectful. We are transparent. Together we succeed.
• INNOVATION: We seek and create optimal solutions.
• TENACITY: We do not quit. We adapt. We accomplish what others cannot.

Come join our team during this exciting time of growth and opportunities!