Associate Director, Clinical Contracts Counsel

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Washington.

📋 Description

• Prepare, assess, and negotiate clinical trial agreements, confidentiality agreements, master services agreements, ancillary contracts, consulting agreements, and informed consent forms.

• Create clear, practical, and risk-balanced contract terms that align with business objectives.

• Tailor contract structures and terms while adhering to company standards.

• Evaluate and analyze contracts for legal risks, compliance considerations, and business impacts.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to grasp operational goals and offer insight on contractual rights, obligations, and risk trade-offs.

• Ensure that contracts are in line with company policies, legal mandates, and strategic priorities, escalating complex or high-risk issues as necessary.

• Provide pragmatic, business-oriented legal advice on contract-related matters.

• Offer guidance on intellectual property, indemnification, limitation of liability, confidentiality, and other contractual matters.

• Develop and present training materials, guidance, and presentations on contract processes, policies, and best practices.

• Monitor contractual obligations to ensure compliance with agreed terms and conditions.

• Work with cross-functional partners to implement contract compliance processes and reduce legal and operational risks.

• Assist with internal audits, issue resolution, and ongoing enhancement of contracting practices.

• Support contract lifecycle management, including contract templates, clause libraries, negotiation playbooks, standardized processes, and workflow optimization.

• Report to the Chief Legal Officer and work with cross-functional teams to support clinical initiatives.

⛳️ Requirements

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school.

• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar, with preference for Washington State bar membership.

• A minimum of 5 years of combined legal experience in a law firm and/or in-house within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences sectors.

• At least 2 years of direct experience as a contracts attorney, with responsibilities including drafting and negotiating clinical trial agreements.

• Experience in supporting clinical operations contracting, including negotiating clinical trial agreements, confidentiality agreements, master service agreements, consulting agreements, and informed consent forms (ICFs).

• Strong knowledge of contract law, U.S. and international clinical study frameworks, and relevant regulatory requirements.

• Proficient in identifying and evaluating legal and business risks, providing practical, solutions-oriented guidance.

• Exceptional analytical, communication, negotiation, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills.

• Ability to handle multiple priorities, work independently, and excel in a dynamic, fast-paced biotechnology environment.

• Collaborative, client-service-oriented approach with the capability to establish trusted partnerships across Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Procurement, Finance, and other cross-functional teams.

• Experience in supporting contract lifecycle management (CLM) systems, creating contract templates, clause libraries, negotiation playbooks, and standardized contracting processes.

• Background in leading or aiding legal operations, contract process enhancement, and workflow optimization initiatives.

• Experience in a clinical-stage or commercial-stage biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences organization.

• Ability to remain seated for extended periods.

• Capability to perform standard desk work in an office setting.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical plans.

• Dental plans.

• Vision plans.

• 401k plan through Fidelity, with a 100% match up to the first 4% deferral.

• Generous Paid Time Off policy.

• Employee commuter benefits.

• Cell phone stipend.