Paralegal, Contracts

Acadia Pharmaceuticals; New Jersey; On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Acadia Pharmaceuticals is seeking a seasoned Contracts Paralegal to support the contracts group by reviewing, revising, drafting, and administering a broad range of commercial agreements. This role works with legal counsel and business partners to ensure timely review and alignment with company policies.

Responsibilities include managing contracts lifecycle, negotiating terms, and maintaining accurate records in contract management systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of corporate or contracts paralegal experience.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and administering a variety of commercial contracts.
• Experience using electronic contract management systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Review, revise, and draft a high volume of contracts, including consulting and vendor agreements, NDAs, SOWs, and amendments.
• Evaluate terms for alignment with policies and legal requirements.
• Coordinate with internal partners and external counsel to address non-standard terms and approvals.
• Manage and track contract requests through review, negotiation, execution, and filing.
• Prepare, review, and edit contract documents and related materials for legal review.
• Maintain accurate contract records and electronic filing systems.
• Support contract-related projects and administrative activities as directed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Paralegal experience

Contract drafting

Electronic contract management

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Paralegal certificate

Tools

Electronic contract management systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Acadia is committed to turning scientific promise into meaningful innovation that makes the difference for underserved neurological and rare disease communities around the world. Our commercial portfolio includes the first and only FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson’s disease psychosis and Rett syndrome. We are developing the next wave of therapeutic advancements with a robust and diverse pipeline that includes mid- to late-stage programs in Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and Lewy body dementia psychosis, along with earlier-stage programs that address other underserved patient needs. At Acadia, we’re here to be their difference.

Position Summary:

The Paralegal, Contracts provides essential support to Acadia’s contracts group by reviewing, revising, drafting, and administering a broad range of commercial agreements. Working under the supervision of an attorney, this role collaborates with legal counsel and business partners to facilitate timely contract review, maintain accurate records, and help ensure agreements align with company policies and applicable master agreements. Typical agreements include consulting agreements, vendor agreements, confidentiality disclosure agreements, statements of work, and amendments. This opportunity is well suited for an experienced contracts paralegal who thrives in a high-volume legal environment and is interested in supporting a mission-driven biopharmaceutical organization.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Review, revise, and assist with drafting a high volume of contracts, including consulting agreements, vendor agreements, confidentiality disclosure agreements, statements of work, and amendments
• Evaluate contract terms for alignment with company policies, legal requirements, and applicable master agreements
• Coordinate with internal business partners, external legal counsel, and other stakeholders to address non-standard contract terms and facilitate approvals
• Manage and track contract requests throughout the review, negotiation, execution, and filing processes
• Gather, organize, analyze, and validate information from multiple sources to prepare contracts and related materials for legal review
• Prepare, review, and edit correspondence, legal forms, memoranda, and contract documents for accuracy and completeness
• Maintain accurate contract records and electronic filing systems, including contract lifecycle management platforms
• Support contract-related projects and administrative activities as directed by the contracts group
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education/Experience/Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of corporate or contracts paralegal experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and applicable professional experience
• Demonstrated experience reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and administering a variety of commercial contracts and related documents
• Experience using electronic contract management systems
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications

Preferred Qualifications

• Certificate in paralegal studies
• Knowledge of legal principles, legal research methods, and contract terminology
• Experience with AI-enabled legal or contract management solutions
• Experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry

Physical Requirements:

This role involves regular standing, walking, sitting, and the use of hands for handling or operating equipment. The employee may also need to reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and maintain visual, verbal, and auditory communication both in a standard office environment and while working independently from remote locations. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. This position requires the ability to travel independently overnight and/or work after hours as required by travel schedule or business needs.