Assistant General Counsel, Corporate Law

Manager: Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

Department:  Legal

Location: Brisbane, CA

Sangamo Therapeutics is a genomic medicine company building value with cutting-edge work across four distinct but complementary technology platforms – gene therapy, cell therapy, in vivo genome editing, and in vivo genome regulation. Using its deep scientific expertise and proprietary zinc finger genome engineering technology, Sangamo is working to create genomic cures for patients suffering from severe genetic diseases for which today’s medicines can only treat symptoms. At Sangamo, we are passionate about transforming lives by building a robust, sustainable, differentiated, innovative, and high value genomic medicine pipeline that addresses patients with life-limiting conditions. Sangamo takes pride in being the first to edit endogenous human genes, first to treat patients with gene edited T cells, and first to treat patients with in vivo genome editing. Our top priority is to meet the needs of patients with commitment and compassion. Along with our commitment to science and to our patients, we also endeavor to create an inclusive environment that promotes and values diversity. Sangamo is a company where individuals can flourish, grow and develop their expertise.

Sangamo Therapeutics has retained Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA) on an exclusive basis to conduct this search for an Assistant General Counsel. All resumes will be routed to MLA for handling.

JOB SUMMARY:   

Sangamo Therapeutics seeks an experienced and highly motivated corporate attorney to serve as Assistant General Counsel, Corporate Law. Reporting directly to the General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, the AGC will develop and manage the Sangamo corporate legal function in addition to furnishing pragmatic legal advice on key finance, transactional, governance and compliance matters. The AGC will be responsible for SEC compliance and legal support of equity and debt fundraising, equity and executive compensation, employment matters and corporate compliance and will partner with the General Counsel & Corporate Secretary on corporate governance.  This role will involve exposure to the Sangamo Board of Directors and close work with C-level executives and cross-functional business partners in Finance, Investor Relations, Business Development and Human Resources.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Manage the global corporate legal function in the U.S., France and the United Kingdom.
• Oversee and advise Sangamo on SEC and Nasdaq reporting and compliance matters, including 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, Section 16 filings, earnings releases and investor presentations. 
• Partner with colleagues in Finance and Investor Relations on these matters.
• Partner with the General Counsel & Corporate Secretary on corporate governance matters, including support of all Board of Director and committee meeting materials and minutes and compliance with governance best practices.
• Support Sangamo’s equity and debt fundraising activities, and related SEC compliance and disclosures (registration statements, press releases, due diligence).
• Partner with the General Counsel to manage and develop the Sangamo compliance and ethics program, including the Sangamo Code of Conduct, key policies, compliance hotline and related trainings and internal investigations.  Opportunity to advise on compliance topics such as privacy, information governance, records management, corruption/bribery and sexual harassment and on the Sangamo ESG (environmental, social and governance) and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs.
• Advise Sangamo on legal aspects of equity compensation plans, employee stock purchase plans and executive compensation matters, including Section 16 filings.
• Advise Sangamo’s Finance, Business Development, Investor Relations and Human Resources functions on all legal topics, including insider trading compliance, employment law matters and any M&A activity.
• Advise Sangamo management in France and the United Kingdom on a variety of corporate legal topics, including subsidiary management and intercompany agreements.
• Educate Sangamo employees on corporate legal policies and concepts.
• Manage the corporate legal and compliance budget.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS: 

• J.D. degree, strong academic credentials and admission in good standing to any state bar.
• At least 8+ years of relevant corporate legal experience at a top law firm and/or in-house law department, although more experienced candidates are preferred and strongly encouraged to apply.
• Strong knowledge of applicable SEC and NASDAQ rules.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to act as a team player and build trusted cross-functional and external relationships.
• Strong commitment to compliance and ethics, and Sangamo’s mission and values.
• Superior intellect and judgment, with the ability to think critically, set priorities, make clear and well-reasoned decisions and provide practical legal advice.
• Outstanding service mentality (proactive and responsive).
• A proven self-starter and results-oriented attorney.
• High enthusiasm and energy and “roll up your sleeves” attitude.
• Ability and desire to work in the entrepreneurial, fast-moving environment of a growing clinical-stage biotechnology company.

• Preference for candidates with biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, life sciences or healthcare experience (although not a requirement).

WHY THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY:

• Sangamo is a pioneer and leader in the field of genomic medicine, with product candidates in all 3 phases of clinical development, as well as many product candidates in pre-clinical development;
• This is a great opportunity to join a growing legal team in a cutting-edge field of the life sciences with lots of interesting disclosures and transactions planned for the near term;
• Sangamo has significant validating partnerships with established biopharmaceutical companies such as Biogen, Novartis, Kite/Gilead, Pfizer, Sanofi, and Takeda;
• This is a great opportunity to work under the leadership of new GC Scott Willoughby, who is well regarded within the company and is seeking a partner to help develop the Sangamo corporate legal function; there will be opportunities to stretch into legal areas as desired by the AGC;
• This is a strategic role with meaningful executive and board exposure; and
• Sangamo has a great collaborative and ethical company culture and (post-COVID) will have a flexible onsite work policy.
• If you desire to be part of a team that is doing what’s right for patients, succeeding through teamwork, innovating through smart decisions, and fostering belonging; then this is a great opportunity for you.

Sangamo is an equal opportunity employer
The above reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this position but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The above duties are representative only; management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.

COVID-19

Sangamo requires all U.S. workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of their start date.  This requirement is a condition of employment at Sangamo, and it applies regardless of location or classification of role.  If you are unable to receive the vaccine, you will have an opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation consistent with applicable laws. 

Note to External Recruiters: Please understand that we do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than from the candidates themselves. Any agency or independent recruiter must have a signed copy of our agency agreement before presenting candidates. Submission of unsolicited resumes without our signed agreement will not create any implied obligation on our part.

If you wish to be considered for the presentation of candidates, please contact us through Recruiting@sangamo.com. Attach your contact information, your area of specialty, and any marketing information you wish to provide. Someone form the Talent Acquisition Department will contact you directly if there is a business need for your services.

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