Senior Contracts Counsel, Biotech & Pharma

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

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.