Corporate Law Director

Legal        ·        South San Francisco, CA       ·       Full time 

At Alector, our mission is to develop therapies that empower the immune system to combat neurodegeneration. Our team is solely focused on developing treatments for some of the most challenging diseases facing our society. We are supported in this mission by experienced and accomplished scientists and clinicians, leading healthcare investors, and pharma company partners who share in our commitment to bettering the lives of patients.

Description

We are seeking an experienced and collaborative corporate attorney to join Alector’s legal team as Corporate Law Director. You will serve as a key member of the growing Alector legal team, supporting the company’s pioneering research, robust clinical pipeline, and strategic collaborations with leading pharma companies. Working with the Associate Director, Corporate Legal, you will direct and handle legal aspects of general corporate and public securities work at Alector, support major transactions, and handle other critical matters for the company. You will partner directly with business groups across the company, including our finance, investor relations, corporate communications, People, clinical, regulatory, business development, facilities and IT teams. You will also work directly with our executive committee and our board of directors. In this role, you will have broad involvement in work central to Alector’s goals.

You will drive the legal team’s review of SEC reporting and public disclosure materials, develop and enhance corporate policies, training, and processes, and prepare board and board committee materials, as well as additional materials critical to our business operations. You will also support financing and other strategic transactions to enable Alector’s continued growth and execution. Working independently or with others on the legal team, you will have the opportunity to participate in matters that extend beyond corporate and securities work, e.g., by handling real estate matters, assisting with the development of compliance program policies and training, and providing strategic counsel on significant contracts and partnerships. Other matters may include supporting the People team as needed with board and compensation committee-related matters and with employment law matters, including employee investigations.

You will apply your existing corporate legal skills, learn new skills, and play a key role in helping grow the company and guide its direction. This is an exciting opportunity for someone to join a dynamic legal team at a public company while gaining broad exposure to a wide range of business, legal, and compliance issues as the company grows over time. 

During the first year, your goals will include:

• Provide legal analysis and advice to business partners on a broad range of general corporate and securities matters typical for a publicly traded clinical stage biotech company, including SEC reporting, corporate governance, annual meeting management, and fundraising
• With the Associate Director, Corporate Law, serve as the company’s source of corporate legal expertise, which will include staying up to speed on the latest legal developments, with the support of external counsel when needed
• Support the company’s senior executives and board of directors, including board committees and the company’s disclosure committee
• Play a key role in any follow-on offerings and other fundraising activities
• Ensure compliance with all applicable corporate legal regulations, partnering with finance, investor relations, corporate communications, or other line functions where needed
• Advise and support the People team by providing legal advice relating to board and compensation committee-related matters and employment law matters
• Advise and support the facilities team on our corporate leases and other facilities-related matters
• Mentor other members of the legal team on cross-functional matters
• Coordinate with compliance, IP, and transactional lawyers as needed
• Enhance existing corporate policies and develop new policies where needed, develop training materials, and ensure adequate training
• Manage outside counsel in an efficient and cost-effective manner
• Assist on other projects as needed as part of a highly collaborative legal team

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• Demonstrated ability to (i) understand and digest complex business, legal and regulatory matters typical of a clinical-stage biotech in order to identify relevant issues and risks, (ii) propose solutions that take into consideration the relevant business objectives while mitigating those potential risks, and (iii) communicate those legal issues, risks and solutions clearly and concisely to employees and executives at all levels and in all line functions, including to members of Alector’s executive committee and board of directors
• JD degree from an accredited law school with membership in good standing with a state bar, with the ability to practice law in-house in California
• 7+ years of experience as a corporate attorney in a pharmaceutical/biotech legal department and/or a law firm supporting pharmaceutical/biotech clients
• Demonstrated leadership and people skills
• Prior experience with corporate governance, corporate finance, and SEC reporting, as well as financing transactions
• Prior experience with various elements of a corporate compliance program is preferred, including policies, training, monitoring, auditing, and investigations
• Experience with labor and employment law and employee investigations is a plus, but deep expertise is not required
• Prior experience implementing and counseling on collaboration agreements and strategic partnerships in the life sciences is preferred
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team, and either with or without the support from outside counsel depending on the project
• Excellent business judgment
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to effectively mentor members of the team and manage outside counsel when used
• An entrepreneurial spirit that will allow you to thrive at a growing clinical-stage company that has high ambitions

#LI-RS1

#LI-Hybrid

Alector is a phenomenal place to learn and experiment. If you excel in a dynamic environment where everyone is committed to finding a treatment, where you’ll drive growth, this is your role. There is no limit to how far you can go with us.

Among the things you’ll discover at Alector on Day 1 and throughout your tenure: Committed and driven colleagues, a bold and important company goal, brand-new brightly-lit offices in the heart of the biotech area, flexible remote work options, and competitive compensation and benefits. But these matters only if you’re excited to build and own something great, and tackle these challenges with us. Come join us!

At Alector, we believe that hard-working teams include people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences who can challenge each other’s assumptions with fresh perspectives and bring creative ideas to the table. We are committed to building an open, diverse, and inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Employees of Alector working on-site are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and are required to provide proof of vaccination. Employees may be entitled to an exception or reasonable accommodation if they cannot be vaccinated because of a disability/medical necessity, or sincerely held religious belief. 

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Please click here to apply.