Corporate Counsel, Contracts

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

Job summary

Exelixis is seeking a Corporate Counsel, Contracts in Alameda, CA to draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of agreements and to organize contract processes that support efficient business transactions. The role collaborates with Legal and Operations to ensure deals reflect appropriate risk levels while enabling business objectives.

The candidate should have a JD with 3+ years of biotech/pharma contract experience, be admitted to the California bar, and demonstrate strong negotiation,

Qualifications

• JD degree required with 3 years of relevant experience.
• BS/BA in life sciences; advanced life science degree preferred.
• Must be admitted to practice law, preferably in California.
• Experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry with complex contract drafting and negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates a wide range of contracts to support client groups across the organization.
• Reviews redlines, oversees negotiations, and provides guidance to junior attorneys and contracts managers.
• Maintains up-to-date form agreements aligned with industry standards and laws.
• Identifies operational and legal risks and communicates them to decision-makers.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Risk assessment

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

J.D. degree

BS/BA in life sciences

Bar admission in California

Tools

Microsoft Office

Document management systems

Redlining software

Job description

The 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.

The 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 Summary

The 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 Unit

The 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/Responsibilities

• Drafts, 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 assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No supervisory responsibilities

Education/Experience/Knowledge/Skills & Abilities

Education

• JD 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.

Experience

• Experience 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.

Required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 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 Requirements

• 0% 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.

Location: 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].

Working 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.