Senior Director, Legal Counsel

Cytokinetics, Inc.; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 315,000 - 368,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Restricted stock units

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401k with employer match

Learning stipend

Wellness stipend

Paid time off

Job summary

Cytokinetics, Inc. in South San Francisco, CA, seeks a Senior Director, Legal Counsel to partner with leadership on corporate and commercial matters.

This hybrid role blends strategic advisory with hands-on drafting and negotiation, reporting to the SVP, Deputy General Counsel. The candidate will lead cross-functional teams and manage outside counsel to drive critical initiatives while balancing risk and business goals.

Qualifications

• JD degree and active bar in at least one US state.
• Admitted to California bar or Registered In-House Counsel in California preferred.
• Minimum 10+ years of in-house biotech/pharma/healthcare experience.
• Strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to operate independently and manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and negotiate complex corporate agreements, licensing matters, and acquisitions.
• Identify legal risks and provide practical solutions aligned with business objectives.
• Evaluate and implement legal technology systems with workflows and templates.
• Provide cross-functional leadership and coordinate with G&A and external counsel as needed.
• Manage outside counsel efficiently within budgets and optimize fees.

Skills

In-house counsel

Biotech/pharma experience

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

California bar admission or in-house status

Tools

Legal technology systems

Job description

Cytokinetics is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company, building on its over 25 years of pioneering scientific innovations in muscle biology, and advancing a pipeline of potential new medicines for patients suffering from diseases of cardiac muscle dysfunction. The Senior Director, Legal Counsel will serve as a senior legal advisor to Cytokinetics, providing strategic, practical, and business-oriented counsel across a range of corporate and commercial matters. This role will partner closely with business leaders and cross-functional stakeholders on complex transactions and strategic initiatives, while independently identifying legal risks, developing practical solutions, and balancing legal considerations with business objectives. This position will report to the SVP, Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. This role is a hybrid-based position in South San Francisco, CA with expectations for you to have an on-site presence.

Responsibilities

• Participate and potentially lead the negotiation of complex corporate arrangements and agreements connected with business development / licensing matters, and acquisitions of technology, either working individually or with outside counsel.
• Exercise direct or supervisory responsibility for the drafting and negotiation of contracts of varying complexity typical to: (1) small- to medium-sized public companies and (2) companies in the biopharmaceutical industry; strong knowledge of the key provisions of such agreements that give rise to negotiation issues such as indemnities, limitations of liability, warranties and covenants, termination and matters connected with intellectual property protections, and regulatory concerns.
• Identify, review and evaluate legal technology systems, including AI solutions, aimed at improving the efficiency of legal operations and lead or assist with the implementation of such systems, including by developing workflows, templates, etc.
• Independently provide leadership on cross-functional teams, identify legal issues, provide legal options and analysis of possible legal solutions, and give recommendations for addressing critical issues so that business and legal objectives are met.
• May also provide support and advice to G&A departments.
• Manage outside counsel effectively and efficiently, and consistent with applicable budgets.
• Work creatively with outside counsel to minimize fees and costs.

Qualifications

• JD degree and active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
• Admitted to California bar or admitted as Registered In-House Counsel in California is preferred.
• Minimum of 10+ years of experience as in-house counsel in a biotechnology, pharma or healthcare company or a combination of in-house corporate and/or nationally recognized law firm specializing in the area of interest.
• Detail-oriented with a high level of intellectual, professional and interpersonal agility and flexibility, combined with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• An ability to operate independently.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Intellectually curious with a willingness to take responsibility.
• Well-organized and hardworking, with the ability to manage numerous projects simultaneously under deadline pressure.
• Excellent analytical skills, with a strong ability to draft and review legal documents, analyze legal advice and apply legal advice to business needs.
• Ability to form strong working relationships with all levels of management, employees, and partners while maintaining firm adherence to proper legal standards.
• Team-oriented and collegial, with sound judgement and a willingness to take initiative.
• #LI-ONSITE

Pay Range

Pay Range: The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of South San Francisco, CA is $315,000-$367,500. The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

Benefits

Base salary is just one component of our competitive total compensation package, which includes equity in the form of stock options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Our employees come from different backgrounds, and we celebrate those differences.

Our passion is anchored in robust scientific thinking, grounded in integrity and critical thinking. We keep the patient front and center in all we do - all actions and decisions are in service of the patient and their caregivers. We champion integrity, ethics, doing the right thing, and being our best selves.

Cytokinetics is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Cytokinetics is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company, building on its over 25 years of pioneering scientific innovations in muscle biology, and advancing a pipeline of potential new medicines for patients suffering from diseases of cardiac muscle dysfunction.