Director, Contracts Counsel

Deciphera Pharmaceuticals•Waltham, MA

6d•$206,000 - $250,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Deciphera is seeking a Director, Contracts Counsel to serve as a key legal partner across the organization, primarily drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a broad range of pharmaceutical and business agreements. The role works closely with Research & Discovery, Clinical, Technical Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial, IT, and other functions, providing practical legal guidance and helping business partners navigate complex contracting needs. The position suits an attorney with strong pharmaceutical contracting experience who can independently manage complex agreements, work closely with internal stakeholders, and continue growing within an in-house legal environment. The role also contributes to global contracting needs and broader Legal & Compliance initiatives, and may take on additional responsibilities as experience and business needs evolve. This is a hybrid position located in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Requirements

At least 7 years of relevant legal experience, including meaningful experience drafting and negotiating sophisticated agreements in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences industry.
Strong experience independently managing contracts and complex negotiations across multiple areas of a pharmaceutical or biotechnology organization.
Understanding of the drug development and commercialization lifecycle and the contracting needs of a pharmaceutical business.
Strong drafting, negotiation, and legal counseling skills, with the ability to provide clear, practical, and timely advice.
Collaborative approach to working with internal stakeholders and ability to build strong relationships across functions.
Ability to manage competing priorities, take ownership of matters, and work effectively within a collaborative legal team.
Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and admission in good standing to at least one U.S. state bar, with ability to practice as in-house counsel in Massachusetts.
Interest in continuing to develop and broaden experience across an in-house legal organization.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting Research & Discovery, Clinical, Technical Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial, IT/data, or other pharmaceutical functions.
Experience working within a global or multinational pharmaceutical or biotechnology organization.
Experience with cross-border contracting and collaboration with colleagues in Europe and/or Japan.
Experience developing contract templates, negotiation playbooks, standard positions, or other contracting best practices.
Experience improving contracting processes or helping establish scalable contracting practices.

Responsibilities

Draft, review, and negotiate commercial and corporate agreements, including research, clinical, supply, manufacturing, technology, licensing, consulting, and services agreements.
Independently manage complex contract negotiations and provide practical, business-focused legal guidance to internal stakeholders.
Partner with Research & Discovery, Clinical, Technical Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial, IT, and other business teams.
Serve as an approachable, collaborative legal partner, helping internal teams meet their objectives while appropriately managing legal and business risk.
Help develop and improve contract templates, negotiation playbooks, standard positions, and other contracting tools and processes.
Collaborate with Deciphera, ONO, and other affiliates on global contracting needs and legal initiatives.
Support broader Legal & Compliance projects and assume additional responsibilities as experience and business needs evolve.