Senior Contracts Manager

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; South San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is seeking an experienced Senior Contracts Manager to join its in-house Legal Department in South San Francisco.

You will draft, negotiate and administer clinical contracts, master services agreements and related documents, coordinating with Clinical Operations and Finance to manage budgets and changes. The role emphasizes GDPR/data privacy support, risk assessment and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree required; paralegal certification preferred.
• At least seven years of contract drafting, negotiation and management experience in biotech/pharma, CRO, or life sciences.
• Ability to negotiate clinical trial, CRO and vendor agreements within guidelines and escalate when needed.
• Working knowledge of clinical research regulations (GCP) and contracts in that context.
• GDPR/data privacy experience with clinical agreements and data transfers preferred.
• Excellent drafting, communication, organization and prioritization skills.
• Collaborative, service-oriented approach across functions and with external parties.
• Proficiency in MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, CMS and e-signature tools; privacy certifications are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate U.S. and international clinical trial agreements, CRO/vendor agreements, MSAs, SOAs, work orders, amendments.
• Support investigator-initiated and other research contracts, MTAs, NDAs, and consulting agreements.
• Manage full contract lifecycle from intake to renewal and termination, coordinating with Clinical Operations and Finance.
• Identify contractual risks (indemnification, IP, data, termination) and escalate as needed.
• Coordinate contract amendments and terminations with CRO/vendor transitions.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Legal knowledge

Data privacy

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation

Contract lifecycle

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Paralegal certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Contract management systems

Electronic signature tools

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Contracts Manager to join Rigel’s in-house Legal Department. This individual will work closely with Rigel’s legal counsel and will have a key role in the timely drafting, negotiation and administration of agreements supporting our clinical development programs and other business activities. The Senior Contracts Manager will serve as a primary contact for company personnel and outside parties on clinical contract matters and will also support Rigel’s data privacy activities.

This is a hands-on role for a resourceful, team-oriented professional who works well independently, exercises sound judgment and thrives in a dynamic environment. The successful candidate will manage a high volume of agreements, collaborate across functions and identify issues requiring legal counsel’s review.

Employees designated as onsite or hybrid are expected to be onsite at Rigel’s South San Francisco headquarters during business hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week. Employees designated as remote are expected to be onsite during business hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays at least twice per month, and more frequently as business needs require.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical and Other Contracts

• Draft, review and negotiate U.S. and international clinical trial agreements, CRO and clinical vendor agreements, master services agreements, statements of work, work orders, amendments and change orders, using approved templates and negotiation guidelines.
• Support research and medical affairs contracting, including investigator-sponsored research agreements, material transfer agreements, confidentiality agreements and consulting agreements, as well as other business contracts as needed.
• Manage the full contract lifecycle from intake and drafting through negotiation, internal approvals, signatures, amendments, renewals and termination. Coordinate with Clinical Operations and Finance on scopes of work, budgets, payment terms and changes in services.
• Identify and communicate contractual risks involving indemnification, liability, intellectual property, publication rights, confidentiality, data rights, insurance and termination; propose practical solutions and **escalate** departures from approved positions.
• Coordinate contract amendments, assignments and terminations associated with CRO and vendor transitions to support continuity of study activities.

GDPR and Data Privacy Support

• Assist legal counsel with GDPR and other applicable data privacy matters, with a particular focus on clinical research and vendor relationships.
• Review and negotiate data processing and data sharing agreements and support preparation of Standard Contractual Clauses and related international data transfer documentation, in coordination with legal counsel and privacy advisers.
• Assist with preparing and maintaining records of processing activities, data protection impact assessments, privacy notices and study-specific privacy documentation; gather information on data flows, vendors, processing activities and retention practices from internal teams and service providers.
• Coordinate with Rigel’s Data Protection Officer, EU and UK representatives, CROs and external privacy advisers to obtain input, resolve documentation gaps and track required actions. Support privacy requests, assessments and other privacy projects as assigned.

Contract Administration and Process Improvement

• Maintain accurate contract records and electronic files in the contracts database, including key terms, obligations, renewal dates and termination deadlines; provide status reports and follow up on outstanding matters.
• Maintain and update contract templates, approved terms and negotiation guidance with legal counsel. Help improve contracting processes and train internal stakeholders on contract submission and approval requirements.
• Ensure alignment with company policies and approval processes, protect confidential information and support other Legal Department projects as required.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree required; paralegal certification preferred.
• At least seven years of relevant contract drafting, negotiation and management experience, including substantial clinical contracting experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry or with a CRO or law firm supporting life sciences clients.
• Demonstrated ability to independently negotiate clinical trial, CRO and vendor agreements within established guidelines, with a strong understanding of the legal and business aspects of contracting and sound judgment about when to **escalate** issues.
• Working knowledge of the clinical research environment, including Good Clinical Practice and applicable regulatory requirements as they relate to contracts and informed consent.
• Practical experience supporting GDPR and data privacy matters, including privacy terms in clinical agreements, data processing agreements and international data transfers. Experience with privacy assessments and records of processing activities preferred.
• Excellent drafting, interpersonal and communication skills; meticulous attention to detail; and strong organization and prioritization skills to manage multiple negotiations and competing timelines.
• A collaborative, service-oriented approach, with the ability to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways and work independently across functions and with external parties.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, contract management systems and electronic signature tools.
• Privacy certification, such as CIPP/E or CIPM, is a plus.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

The anticipated salary range for this position is (SFBA/NYC/Boston Area) $145,000 to $170,000. The actual salary offered will depend on several factors, including experience, qualifications, geographic location, internal equity, and business needs.

This position is eligible to participate in Rigel's annual bonus program and is eligible for equity incentive awards, subject to the terms of the applicable plans. This position is not commission-based.

Rigel offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and disability insurance; flexible spending accounts; a 401(k) plan; paid time off; paid company holidays; and other benefits.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk; sit; talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• WORK ENVIRONMENT: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Some travel may be required.

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by the law.