Vice President, Legal

We Are Genetic Navigators bringing together passionate, creative and dedicated professionals to join a rapidly-growing startup on our mission to translate novel genetic insights into lifesaving medicines. We are integrating human genetics and functional genomics to decode the mysteries of genetic modifiers, leading us to new medicines we'll develop for a range of severe diseases.

We are seeking in house counsel that will utilize biotechnology expertise to strategically manage legal affairs and provide pragmatic advice on matters to protect the company's interest. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry supporting and advising a broad range of corporate and scientific legal issues. As counsel, the Vice President will manage intellectual property, contracting and corporate contracts, corporate governance, and will serve as the primary liaison to external council. As a strong business partner to leadership, project teams, and scientific managers, the person will have a broad range of legal responsibilities and advise finance, human resources, project team leaders, and clinical on any legal matters. The position requires expertise in laws important to scientific and corporate affairs for an emerging biotech and will implement processes and strategies to mitigate risk and protect the company in areas such as intellectual property, contracts, company procedures, and corporate governance. Reporting to the CBO and as part of a dynamic team in a growing company, this person will think broadly and long term to ensure Maze is positioned for success in legal matters while putting in motion new processes for protection.

Your Role in Navigating the Maze:

• Partner with senior leadership and G&A partners to provide thorough legal advice and implement solutions to protect the company
• Provide practical legal advice relating to applicable laws and regulations, as well as contractual obligations, while proactively identifying and helping manage risk profile of the company
• Identify patentable subject matter and lead process of drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent applications globally
• Serve as counsel for a range of internal matters including employee relations, auditing, financial litigation and cybersecurity
• Lead contracts function and support transactions with agreement drafting and negotiations
• Provide legal advice and counsel to research teams and gain a high-level understanding of our technology and drug programs in order to represent the patent process
• Manage the review, implementation, and training of internal client teams to ensure compliance with current laws applicable to drug programs and corporate development matters
• Review and approve external affairs such as corporate communications, clinical trial agreements, manufacturing agreements and patient advocacy efforts
• Keep management up to date with current and applicable regulations, laws, patents and maintain a strong legal position in all areas
• Manage external counsel and strategically balance use of external firms with in house counsel in areas related to IP, litigation, contracts
• Represent Maze with measure, professionalism, integrity and accuracy in all legal affairs

Your Navigation Tools:

• JD is required; advanced degree in life sciences is highly preferred.
• 8+ years of in house, corporate legal experience, including at least 4 years as internal counsel in biotech or pharmaceutical, preferably in a role serving as business legal partner to R&D or patenting
• Expertise of other corporate law matters such as employee relations, investment relations, financial obligations, regulatory aspects
• Skilled at integrating legal advice with drug discovery programs, preferably in a biotech startup focused on initial drug discovery and platform development
• Experience and understanding of legal needs for an emerging biotech such as clinical programs, investment relations, intellectual property, and corporate growth
• Ability to effectively evaluate legal exposure and risk and develop creative strategies to achieve business and scientific goals
• Demonstrated ability to form strong business partnerships with leaders, project leaders, and other internal partners and understand their legal needs; provide and implement solutions and inform partners of risks and solutions
• An astute and up to date understanding of applicable laws, regulations, and litigation matters and form a forward thinking legal strategy for drug programs and corporate growth
• Experience executing, negotiating, and filing complex contracts with US and international agencies
• A strong, measured, and professional disposition in order to serve as the face of legal activities and represent Maze in all legal activities
• Detail oriented with excellent written and verbal communication, problem solving, negotiation, and problem solving