Corporate Counsel, Contracts

Exelixi; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 231,000 - 293,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k plan with employer contributions

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Discretionary annual bonus

Stock purchase plan

15 vacation days

Job summary

Exelixis is seeking a Corporate Counsel, Contracts in Alameda, CA. The successful attorney will draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements supporting R&D and commercial activities, while managing risk and providing practical legal guidance to cross-functional teams.

The role requires a JD with at least 3 years of relevant experience, admission to practice law (preferably in California), and strong negotiation, drafting, and communications skills.

Qualifications

• JD degree required with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
• Must be admitted to practice law, preferably in California.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a broad range of complex agreements in biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries.
• Strong ability to identify contractual issues, balance legal risk with business objectives, and provide practical recommendations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, with cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with MS Office and document management/redlining tools.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts across the organization.
• Act as legal point person for ongoing agreements and provide guidance to junior attorneys.
• Review redlines, oversee negotiations, and ensure consistency with standards.
• Maintain up-to-date form agreements aligned with industry and laws.
• Identify operational and legal risks and communicate them to decision-makers.
• Foster cross-functional relationships and mentor junior staff.
• Represent the company in legal tasks and special assignments as needed.
• Complete other duties with a compliant, high-quality approach.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Contract drafting

Legal analysis

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

MS Office

Attention to detail

Time management

Problem solving

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Life sciences degree (BS/BA)

Advanced life science degree (preferred)

Tools

Redlining software

Document management systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Contract management systems

Job description

SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSEThe Corporate Counsel, Contracts takes a supporting role in setting the material terms of the many business transactions undertaken by the company, the drafting and negotiation of definitive and ancillary agreements reflecting those terms, and the organization of processes necessary and helpful for Exelixis to transact efficiently and effectively. This role also plays a transactional oversight role, working with Legal and operational colleagues to help ensure that the company's activities and transactions are carried out with efficiency and reflect an appreciation for an appropriate level of business and legal risk.Business Unit SummaryThe Corporate Counsel, Contracts role supports Exelixis' growing contracting needs by collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders across the organization to provide strategic, business-focused legal counsel and contract management expertise. Responsibilities include drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and managing a broad range of agreements, which may include confidentiality agreements, collaboration agreements, licensing agreements, consulting agreements, material transfer agreements, simple and complex clinical trial agreements, clinical advisory board agreements, vendor services agreements, and manufacturing agreements supporting cGMP drug supply.R&D Business UnitThe Corporate Counsel, Contracts supporting the Research and Development business unit will be a key point of contact for R&D clients, including Discovery and Biotherapeutics, Clinical Development and Clinical Operations, Medical Affairs, and Manufacturing departments, by providing proactive legal advice, contract support, and risk-based guidance. Works collaboratively with cross-functional stakeholders to facilitate business operations while protecting the company's legal and commercial interests.ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIESDrafts, reviews, and negotiates a wide range of contracts in support of client groups across the organization Acts as a legal point person for ongoing agreements.Reviews redlines, oversees negotiations, and provides general guidance to junior attorneys and contracts managers.Assists with maintaining up-to-date form agreements consistent with industry standards and applicable laws.Identifies and defines operational and legal risks and is able to communicate those risks to appropriate internal decision-makers for discussion and resolution.Cultivates strong and highly effective cross-functional relationships and communication with internal colleagues to effectively address legal and business questions.May provide guidance, mentorship, and review of work product for junior legal professionals to ensure quality, consistency, and adherence to departmental standards.Effectively represents the company.Handles miscellaneous legal tasks on an as-needed basis.Performs other duties as assignedComplies with all policies and standardsSUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIESNo supervisory responsibilitiesEDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS & ABILITIESEducationJD degree is required and 3 years of relevant experience;BS/BA degree, preferably in life sciences or a related field; an advanced life science degree is preferred.Equivalent combination of education and experience.Must be admitted to practice law, preferably in California.ExperienceExperience as an attorney in a law firm or in-house legal environment in biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.Complex contract drafting and negotiation experience required, including a significant volume of contracts in support of a biotechnology or pharmaceutical company.Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesRequired:Demonstrated ability to independently draft, review, analyze, and negotiate a broad range of complex agreements while effectively balancing legal risk, business objectives, and organizational priorities. Skilled in identifying key contractual issues, providing practical recommendations, and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to achieve favorable outcomes.Possesses clear and concise verbal and written communication skills and excellent interpersonal communication skills.Strong computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), document management systems, and redlining software).Must be detail-oriented and have strong organizational skills.Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, with the ability to re-prioritize on short time frames. Can quickly separate the mission-critical from the nice-to-haves and the trivial.Ability to make complex decisions based on the data available; drives to the finish on all projects.Acts responsibly and conscientiously.Works under pressure to meet specific deadlines.Works well both independently and in a team environment; addresses differences fairly and equitably; treats everyone as a preferred internal client.Dedicated to quality, reliability, and highest professional standards in all work tasks.Must be a self-starter and quick learner.Must have good judgment.Travel Requirements0% This position does not require travel.Environmental Requirements:Works on complex problems where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of various factors.Exercises judgment within broadly defined practices and policies in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation of criteria for obtaining results.Uses professional concepts and company policies and procedures to solve a wide range of difficult problems in imaginative and practical ways.Networks with key contacts outside own area of expertise.#LI-HG1Location: Alameda, CA Range for this position: $231,000 - $292,500 The base pay offered will take into account job-related knowledge, skills, experience and internal equity, among other factors.In addition to the base salary, as part of our Total Rewards program, Exelixis offers comprehensive employee benefits package, including a 401k plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts. Employees are also eligible for a discretionary annual bonus program, or if field sales staff, a sales-based incentive plan. Exelixis also offers employees the opportunity to purchase company stock, and receive long-term incentives, 15 accrued vacation days in their first year, 17 paid holidays including a company-wide winter shutdown in December, and up to 10 sick days throughout the calendar year.If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the recruiting process, please email us at: [e-mail] CONDITIONS:Our office is a modern space that fosters collaboration and creativity. Teams work closely together, sharing ideas and solutions in a supportive atmosphere. We provide all necessary equipment, including dual monitors and ergonomic chairs, to ensure a comfortable workspace.DISCLAIMER:The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.