Director/Senior Director, Legal (Contracts)

NiKang Therapeutics

7d • $230,000 - $290,000 • Remote

About The Position

At NiKang Therapeutics Inc (“NiKang”), we believe our success depends on our self-motivated employees and their passion for solving difficult problems together as a team. Join us at NiKang and be part of an innovative team focused on discovering and developing small molecule oncology medicines to help patients with unmet medical needs.

The Director/Senior Director, Legal (Contracts) serves as a primary internal legal resource for NiKang Therapeutics, supporting the company’s contracting needs across research, clinical, manufacturing, and business operations. This role focuses heavily on drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide variety of contracts, including but not limited to Master Services Agreements (MSAs), Work Orders, Confidential Disclosure Agreements (CDAs), Clinical Trial Agreements (CTAs), agreements with Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs), agreements with Contract Research Organizations (CROs), and Informed Consent Forms (ICFs).

This position will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure contracts are aligned with business objectives, legally compliant, and executed efficiently.

This role also provides practical, business-oriented legal guidance and may assist with broader compliance and legal matters as needed.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate (JD) and active membership in good standing with a state bar.
• Minimum 7-10 years of legal experience (depending on Director vs. Senior Director level), including direct hands-on experience drafting and negotiating contracts in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
• Experience in contracting for clinical research, manufacturing, or technology-oriented operations is strongly preferred.
• Desired expertise includes: contract negotiations; life sciences collaborations; privacy; commercial transactions; licensing, regulatory or corporate compliance.
• Highly organized with strong drafting skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize and manage a substantial workload.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex legal terms in a clear, business-friendly manner.
• Collaborative working style with the ability to build strong relationships across teams.
• Demonstrated discretion, sound judgment, professionalism, and strong commitment to ethical and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements, with a primary focus on MSAs, work orders, CDAs, CTAs, CDMO/CRO agreements, ICFs.
• Provide timely legal guidance to colleagues on contract terms, risks, obligations, and negotiation strategy.
• Manage and monitor the company’s contracts throughout their lifecycle, ensuring accuracy, consistency, compliance, and adherence to internal processes.
• Partner with leadership to support compliance processes and training related to contracting, including anti‑corruption requirements.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with clinical, research, manufacturing, quality, finance, and other teams to support business goals through effective contracting.
• Support transactional matters related to vendors, service providers, and collaborators.
• Coordinate with external counsel for specialized issues or overflow needs, ensuring effectiveness and cost‑efficiency.
• Develop or support training for internal teams on contracting processes, legal principles, or compliance topics.
• Provide clear, practical legal advice that supports business decision-making.
• Perform additional legal duties as assigned or requested.

Benefits

• In addition to base salary, the hired applicant for this position will be eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus and potential equity awards based on factors such as individual and organizational performance.
• NiKang offers a comprehensive benefit plan to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k) program, Paid Time Off benefits, eligibility for medical, dental, vision benefits, flexible benefits, short-term disability and life insurance benefits.
• NiKang reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs at its sole discretion.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree