Corporate Counsel/Senior Corporate Counsel I

Curia•Albany, NY

23h•Remote

About The Position

Curia is hiring a Corporate Counsel or Senior Corporate Counsel, depending on qualifications and experience, to join its in-house Legal and Compliance Department. The role provides legal advice and support across a range of matters, primarily commercial contracting, for one or more of Curia’s R&D, Drug Product, and Manufacturing business units. The attorney will draft and negotiate global customer and supplier contracts and support Sales and Operations on day-to-day commercial issues, while contributing to broader Legal Department work. This is a fully remote position with high organizational visibility, working with a collaborative legal team and business partners from mid-level through C-suite. The position reports to either the Senior Corporate Counsel III or Senior Corporate Counsel II for transactions. Curia provides global contract research, development, and manufacturing services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Its R&D and Manufacturing business offers outsourced biology, analytical, medicinal chemistry, chemical development, and small-scale API development and manufacturing services. Its Drug Product business offers injectable drug formulation development, engineering, and manufacturing at commercial scale. The attorney will partner with business units and internal stakeholders to negotiate complex transactions, advise on contract and dispute matters, and provide training to Sales. The role also supports the General Counsel and Legal Department leadership on general legal matters and initiatives, including improving the company’s contracting process.

Requirements

J.D. from an accredited law school.
Licensed to practice in a U.S. jurisdiction.
At least 5 years of relevant experience at a leading law firm, an in-house legal department, or a combination of both.
Ability to independently and efficiently handle complex, contested negotiations with customers and suppliers.
Strong business and legal acumen, including the ability to identify issues quickly, balance risks, and devise and communicate practical solutions in a time-sensitive, fast-paced global environment.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain legal issues clearly and understandably.
Solid negotiation skills.
Strong work ethic and ability to multitask and manage a high-volume workflow effectively.
Sound judgment and decision-making, including when not all facts are available.
Strong organizational skills; attention to detail; and ability to be innovative, strategic, self-driven, and motivate others.
Ability and desire to build strong working relationships with internal clients and business partners.

Nice To Haves

Relevant experience preferably in the life sciences or pharmaceutical industry, or with another provider of R&D or manufacturing services.
Significant experience drafting and negotiating complex business contracts involving varied risk profiles and intellectual property considerations.
Ability to find creative solutions to complex problems by leveraging prior experience and expertise.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Small Molecule R&D and Manufacturing, and Drug Product business units, including Sales Directors, VPs, and BU Presidents, primarily on contracting and transaction matters.
Negotiate high-value, complex, long-term contracts with customers and suppliers while supporting business growth objectives and mitigating risk exposure.
Design and negotiate business deals in partnership with Sales colleagues.
Identify issues in customer and vendor contracts and advise internal clients so they can make informed decisions.
Provide strategic advice and legal counsel on disputes and contract interpretation issues.
Work with business development, IT, finance, tax, scientific, procurement, regulatory, quality, and other internal stakeholders in support of business and operations teams.
Provide periodic training to Sales staff on negotiation strategies, contracting parameters, and relevant legal issues.
Support the General Counsel, Legal Department Leadership Team, and other Legal Department members on a variety of matters.
Assist with developing and implementing legal and cross-functional initiatives to streamline and optimize legal functions, including the contracting process.
Advise on general legal matters.