The Company:

Lila Sciences is a privately held, early-stage technology company pioneering the application of artificial intelligence to transform every aspect of the scientific method. Lila is backed by Flagship Pioneering, which brings the courage, long-term vision, and resources needed to realize unreasonable results. Join our mission-driven team and contribute to the future of science.

Our Physical effort is developing a novel AI and data-driven approach to materials discovery and development to accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy. And our Life Sciences effort is leveraging AI and high-throughput automation for valuable therapeutic discovery and development across biological modalities.

At Lila, we are uniquely cross-functional and collaborative. We are actively reimagining the way teams work together and communicate. Therefore, we seek individuals with an inclusive mindset and a diversity of thought. Our teams thrive in unstructured and creative environments. All voices are heard because we know that experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way.

If this sounds like an environment you’d love to work in, even if you only have some of the experience listed below, please apply.

The Role:

This is an outstanding career opportunity for a highly motivated Contracts Counsel to join the Legal team at Lila Sciences. The ideal candidate will have experience in preparing and negotiating a broad range of agreements related to the research and development, IT and general business needs of Lila.  Must be detail-oriented and have strong organizational skills to effectively manage competing priorities and multiple situations at one time.  Requires the ability to proactively build organizational knowledge and relationships and think critically and creatively to support problem-solving and ensure strong communication flow and follow-through.

The Contracts Counsel will work as the first member of the Lila legal department, initially reporting to the President, Operations.  The Contracts Counsel must efficiently manage a very large volume and variety of contracts. This position has high visibility across the organization and requires pro-active, positive, and professional approach. 

Responsibilities include:

• Prepare, negotiate and manage a wide variety of contracts related to the general business and Research and Development needs of Lila, including Master Service Agreements and associated work orders, Consulting Agreements, Data Use Agreements, CDAs, and research collaboration agreements.

• Optimize contracting processes and provide training to relevant business units on such processes to ensure approvals and contract requirements are met.   

• Format documents for finalization and execution including use of e-signature services

• Coordinate with other departments (Finance, Procurement, IP) to ensure alignment of business needs and risk assessments, contract compliance, improve contract processes, suggest and implement new / more efficient processes as needed 
• Proactively guide stakeholders as to contractual rights and obligations
• Identify and assist with resolution of issues impacting completion of contracts.
• Maintain standardized forms and templates and assist in updating them.

Education, Experience, and Skills:

• A law degree and admission to the bar in at least 1 US state; a minimum of 10 years of experience drafting, negotiating and executing contracts in the tech, medical device, and/or biotech industries.
• Hands-on experience independently drafting, negotiating and managing a wide variety and volume of contracts.
• Significant experience working in a law firm handling diverse transactional matters required.  Additional in-house legal experience preferred 
• Self-motivated individual who has the capacity to build trust amongst colleagues and work as part of a team.
• Ability to work independently and thrive in a fast-paced environment; exceptional time-management and prioritization skills, be detail oriented, manage multiple contracts and projects simultaneously under tight timelines.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to think creatively to find common ground in contract negotiations, to conduct research to evaluate applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• High level of responsiveness and exceptional interpersonal and communication skills;  excellent customer service; ability to actively manage stakeholder expectations.
• Ability to provide clear and concise legal advice; resourceful and decisive and manage a wide variety of matters and stakeholders.
• Positive outlook, willingness to learn and contribute, commit to personal growth and a team-oriented attitude; the ability to adapt to new/evolving processes will be key.

Location:

The position is being posted as a Hybrid work structure. Hybrid is flexible combination of both remote and in-person work at our Headquarters in Cambridge, MA.  

More About Flagship Pioneering:

Flagship Pioneering is a platform innovation company that invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health or sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated and fostered more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in more than $90 billion in aggregate value. Many of the companies Flagship has founded have addressed humanity’s most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID-19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture.  Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies, and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com.

Flagship Pioneering and our ecosystem companies are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

At Flagship, we recognize there is no perfect candidate. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. Experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your unique background.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies:  Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates.  The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team.   Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto

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