Job Description
Who We Are
BioMarin is a global biotechnology company that relentlessly pursues bold science to translate genetic discoveries into new medicines that advance the future of human health.
Since our founding in 1997, we have applied our scientific expertise in understanding the underlying causes of genetic conditions to create transformative medicines, using a number of treatment modalities.
Using our unparalleled expertise in genetics and molecular biology, we develop medicines for patients with significant unmet medical need. We enlist the best of the best – people with the right technical expertise and a relentless drive to solve real problems – and create an environment that empowers our teams to pursue bold, innovative science. With this distinctive approach to drug discovery, we’ve produced a diverse pipeline of commercial, clinical and preclinical candidates that have well-understood biology and provide an opportunity to be first-to-market or offer a substantial benefit over existing therapeutic options.
About Corporate Groups It takes a village, and at BioMarin our corporate groups are the people behind our success. Groups such as IT, Finance, Legal, Global Compliance & Ethics, and our People Team provide foundational support of all areas of operation at BioMarin.
Position Overview: As Senior Director, Corporate Counsel - Strategic Transactions, you will be the lead attorney advising BioMarin’s Corporate Strategy & Business Development organization and play a critical role advancing BioMarin’s corporate strategy to grow through external innovation. You will be a key advisor to a world-class Business Development team known for its strategic rigor, scientific sophistication, and a proven ability to lead complex growth initiatives. Reporting to the company’s Vice President, Deputy General Counsel – Corporate (DGC), you will be the legal representative on multiple cross-functional teams and collaborate with colleagues in Business Development, Alliance Management, and other departments. You will also regularly interact with senior executives across the organization, including the Chief Legal Officer and Chief Business Officer. As part of the Chief Legal Officer’s organization, you will work closely with BioMarin’s Intellectual Property attorneys and other Legal Department attorneys across the globe, and you will help manage the department’s contract associates and outside counsel. This role is ideal for a seasoned attorney with experience managing life sciences M&A, licensing, and collaboration transactions who is passionate about advancing BioMarin’s mission.
Key Responsibilities: - Support strategic transactions from end-to-end, providing both business and legal advice to Business Development, Alliance Management, and other stakeholders.
- Draft and negotiate M&A, license, collaboration and other partnering transaction term sheets and agreements independently.
- Manage legal due diligence and interpret complex issues for the Business Development team and senior executives.
- Direct the work of outside counsel on major transactions and manage Legal Department contracts associates in the drafting and negotiation of NDAs and other lower-risk contracts supporting Business Development. For non-standard agreements and smaller transactions, you will have primary drafting responsibility.
- In collaboration with BioMarin’s Intellectual Property attorneys, advise the Business Development team on intellectual property matters (especially issues related to patents and trade secrets).
- Collaborate with Alliance Management and Finance to track the achievement and payment of milestones and royalties and compliance with other contractual obligations under licenses and partnering agreements.
- Provide ongoing training for the Business Development team regarding relevant legal issues and BioMarin’s policies and procedures.
- Keep abreast of changes in laws and regulations that may impact biopharmaceutical transactions, including developments related to antitrust and intellectual property.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of the Legal Department’s contract templates and “playbooks” for contract negotiations.
- Provide support for other Legal Department projects, including legal research and drafting of research memoranda.
- Manage a significant workload by aligning priorities with internal clients and developing appropriate timelines for deliverables.
Required Experience, Knowledge, and Skills: - 7+ years prior experience in a major law firm/and or in-house law position at a life sciences company structuring, drafting, and negotiating M&A, license, collaboration and other partnering agreements, including experience as the lead attorney on strategic transactions in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industries.
- Solid understanding of intellectual property issues relevant to the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industries.
- Background in a science relevant to the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industries is a plus.
- Significant experience advising clients on both business and legal issues.
- Ability to think critically and strategically and to creatively problem solve.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills to enable management of multiple projects and delivering on aggressive timelines.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong team orientation.
- Ability to work onsite at the company’s San Rafael, CA headquarters at least 2 days a week.
Education and Bar Membership/Registration: - J.D. from a nationally recognized law school.
- Current California Bar membership or eligibility for in-house counsel registration.
Note: This description is not intended to be all-inclusive, or a limitation of the duties of the position. It is intended to describe the general nature of the job that may include other duties as assumed or assigned.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
Job Tags
Contract work, 2 days per week,