Senior Counsel Legal, R&D and Supply Chain

Akebia Therapeutics • Waltham, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Akebia is seeking a Senior Counsel (Sr. Director) to join its collaborative Legal and Compliance team. The role serves as a business partner to Research and Development, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain, reporting to the SVP, Legal & Chief Compliance Officer. The Senior Counsel provides strategic, solution-oriented legal advice and negotiation support, helps execute business strategy, identifies and resolves complex legal issues, and communicates legal and business risks to support practical, risk-appropriate decisions. The position also offers exposure to a broad range of business and legal issues at a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company with a robust development pipeline.

The role is currently based in Akebia’s Cambridge, Massachusetts office, which is expected to relocate to Waltham later this year. Akebia uses a flexible “magnet not mandate” approach to in-office work, encouraging collaboration and onsite engagement while supporting hybrid flexibility based on role and business needs.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to practice in good standing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• At least 10 years of experience working with life science companies, including a mix of large law firm and in-house life science company experience.
• Deep knowledge and expertise advising on laws, regulations, and trends affecting U.S. and global Research and Development and Supply Chain.
• Experience working with Research and Development teams and executing collaborations and other strategic transactions.
• Experience drafting and negotiating agreements such as license agreements, clinical trial agreements, supply agreements, master service agreements, and consulting agreements.
• Experience making pragmatic, risk-based recommendations to Research and Development and Manufacturing teams concerning contract terms, conditions, and strategies, and leading discussions with senior stakeholders toward risk-appropriate agreements and strategies.

Nice To Haves

• Business-focused and solution-oriented approach.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to cultivate strong stakeholder relationships and communicate complex concepts in ways that cross-functional teams can understand and act on.
• Self-motivated and able to perform independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent drafting and proofreading skills, strong attention to detail, and ability to identify business, legal, and compliance issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to work in a fast-paced, innovative, and collaborative environment.
• Management skills and experience working within a team.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the strategic business partner for Research and Development, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain, providing solution-oriented legal advice to designated business areas and their senior leaders.
• Monitor applicable laws, regulations, and trends affecting global Research and Development and Supply Chain, and communicate relevant changes to the business.
• Liaise with internal teams and collaboration partners to align on shared business initiatives and resolve disputes.
• Manage and mentor direct reports and other members of the legal team.
• Serve on program teams for clinical-stage assets and participate in Research and Development and Supply Chain strategic planning.
• Review Research and Development-related presentations and investor disclosures, including securities filings.
• Lead and manage the Research and Development and Supply Chain contracting functions.
• Draft, negotiate, review, and interpret agreements, including supply agreements, quality agreements, clinical trial agreements, and license agreements.
• Coordinate with Procurement and other cross-functional partners on updates to contracting processes and policies as needed.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships and work collaboratively to address complex issues.
• Work with outside counsel and manage successful delivery of their services as needed.

Benefits

• Eligible for the corporate bonus program or incentive compensation program, if applicable.
• Equity.
• Health care benefits.
• Vision insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Retirement benefits.
• Paid time off (PTO).

What This Job Offers

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