Sr Contracts Manager/ Contracts Manager

Job Description

Xaira Therapeutics is seeking a Sr Contracts Manager/ Contracts Manager to proactively manage the efficient tracking, negotiation, execution, and management of research and development contracts. This role requires the ability to independently draft, negotiate, and manage a variety of research and development contracts, as well as a broad understanding of life sciences and general business transactions and related legal issues. The Contracts Manager will report to the Chief of Staff, Research & Development Strategy & Operations.

This position is based in Xaira Therapeutics Seattle office.

The role involves:

• Independently preparing, negotiating, and managing a wide variety of contracts related to the company’s general business and Research and Development needs.
• Defining and prioritizing risks and communicating those risks to appropriate internal stakeholders.
• Escalating and coordinating legal or other issues to the appropriate internal stakeholders.
• Identifying legal risks and business exposures and collaborating with the relevant business teams to avoid and/or mitigate such risks.
• Managing contract workflow and collaborating with senior leaders to ensure efficient contract execution.
• Preparing contract summaries to assure proper interpretation of contracts.
• Managing internal stakeholders including contracts process training.
• Maintaining and updating standardized forms and templates, and overseeing the contract management system.
• Ensuring consistency of contract terms with company policies and goals.
• Ensuring appropriate data management, repository, and life cycle management of contracts.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of experience in the life sciences industry drafting and negotiating a variety of contracts.
• Prior in-house experience as a member of a legal department in a biotech company or drafting and negotiating agreements in-house at a life sciences organization strongly preferred.
• JD from an accredited law school with less experience considered.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating software and dataset terms & conditions in the context of the biotech field is highly beneficial.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects at once, drive execution and meet critical deadlines.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong partnerships and demonstrate expertise needed to collaborate with internal stakeholders.
• Excellent Judgment – ability to understand when and how to escalate open items during negotiation terms with leadership, partners and key stakeholders.
• Track record of delivering in a fast-paced, innovative, dynamic environment while remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful and efficient.
• Advanced knowledge of Word, Excel, gSuite, DocuSign, and other programs applicable to handling corporate matters.
• Outstanding organizational, written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills – focus on accuracy of details in all contracts and being able to think creatively to find common ground in contract negotiations.

Xaira Therapeutics offers:

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Base salary, bonus, and equity.
• Open, flexible, and friendly work environment.
• Platform to develop long-term careers