Corporate Counsel, Contracts
About The Position
The Corporate Counsel, Contracts supports Exelixis’ contracting needs by helping set material terms for business transactions, drafting and negotiating definitive and ancillary agreements, and organizing processes that enable efficient and effective transactions. The role provides transactional oversight in collaboration with Legal and operational colleagues to help ensure company activities and transactions are efficient and reflect appropriate business and legal risk. For the Research and Development business unit, this position is a key legal contact for clients in Discovery and Biotherapeutics, Clinical Development and Clinical Operations, Medical Affairs, and Manufacturing. It provides proactive legal advice, contract support, and risk-based guidance while helping facilitate business operations and protect the company’s legal and commercial interests. The role drafts, reviews, negotiates, and manages a broad range of agreements, potentially including confidentiality, collaboration, licensing, consulting, material transfer, clinical trial, clinical advisory board, vendor services, and cGMP drug supply manufacturing agreements. The position may also guide and review the work of junior legal professionals, represents the company, and handles other legal tasks as needed.
Requirements
- JD degree and 3 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Admission to practice law; California admission is preferred.
- Experience as an attorney in a law firm or in-house legal environment in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.
- Complex contract drafting and negotiation experience, including a significant volume of contracts supporting a biotechnology or pharmaceutical company.
- Ability to independently draft, review, analyze, and negotiate complex agreements while balancing legal risk, business objectives, and organizational priorities.
- Ability to identify key contractual issues, provide practical recommendations, and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders.
- Clear, concise verbal and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, document management systems, and redlining software.
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and reprioritize quickly.
- Ability to make complex decisions using available data and drive projects to completion.
- Responsible and conscientious approach, including the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work independently and in a team, address differences fairly and equitably, and treat colleagues as preferred internal clients.
- Commitment to quality, reliability, and high professional standards.
- Self-starter, quick learner, and sound judgment.
Nice To Haves
- BS/BA degree, preferably in life sciences or a related field.
- Advanced life science degree preferred.
- Admission to practice law in California preferred.
Responsibilities
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts for client groups across the organization.
- Act as a legal point person for ongoing agreements.
- Review redlines, oversee negotiations, and provide general guidance to junior attorneys and contracts managers.
- Help maintain up-to-date form agreements consistent with industry standards and applicable laws.
- Identify and define operational and legal risks, and communicate them to appropriate internal decision-makers for discussion and resolution.
- Build effective cross-functional relationships and communicate with internal colleagues to address legal and business questions.
- Provide guidance, mentorship, and review of work product for junior legal professionals as needed.
- Effectively represent the company.
- Handle miscellaneous legal tasks as needed and perform other duties as assigned.
- Comply with all policies and standards.
Benefits
- 401(k) plan with generous company contributions
- Group medical coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Discretionary annual bonus program (or sales-based incentive plan for field sales staff)
- Opportunity to purchase company stock
- Long-term incentives
- 15 accrued vacation days in the first year
- 17 paid holidays, including a company-wide winter shutdown in December
- Up to 10 sick days throughout the calendar year
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
