Centessa Pharmaceuticals · 18 hours ago
Senior Director, Legal
United States
Full-time
Remote
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
$235K/yr - $310K/yr
5+ years expCentessa Pharmaceuticals plc is a new kind of pharmaceutical company focused on a data-driven R&D environment. They are seeking a Senior Legal Director to provide legal guidance across corporate, commercial, and operational matters, working closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to support the company's objectives.
BiotechnologyPharmaceutical
Responsibilities
Serve as a senior legal partner to the business, providing strategic and day-to-day legal support across a broad range of corporate, commercial, and operational matters
Lead the drafting, review, negotiation, and management of complex commercial agreements, including but not limited to: Global clinical trial agreements, CRO and CDMO engagements, License, collaboration, and supply agreements
Provide legal support for global clinical development activities, working across global jurisdictions and time zones
Advise internal stakeholders on legal risks, mitigation strategies, and commercially practical solutions that support business objectives
Partner closely with cross-functional teams (e.g., Clinical, Regulatory, Finance, Business Development, and Operations) in a highly collaborative, fast-moving environment
Support the General Counsel on corporate governance matters, including board and committee activities and corporate secretarial responsibilities
Assist with SEC compliance, including the preparation, review, and coordination of SEC filings
Share responsibility for the management and continuous improvement of the contracts repository, legal technology tools, and related processes
Support the development and delivery of legal training and guidance for internal stakeholders
Manage and coordinate external counsel globally to ensure high-quality, cost-effective, and business-focused legal support
Operate with a high degree of autonomy, judgment, and accountability in a dynamic, resource-constrained environment
Qualification
Required
J.D. or equivalent law degree; admission to practice law in at least one jurisdiction
Minimum of 5 years of legal experience, either: As in-house counsel at a public pharmaceutical/life sciences company, or As an attorney at an internationally recognized law firm, with a focus on life sciences or pharmaceuticals
Demonstrated experience drafting, negotiating, and managing complex commercial agreements in the pharmaceutical or life-sciences sector; experience with clinical trial agreements strongly preferred
Strong business acumen with the ability to deliver practical, solution-oriented legal advice in a fast-paced environment
Experience supporting SEC compliance and filings and/or FDA regulatory matters is highly desirable
Proven ability to manage external counsel efficiently and effectively across jurisdictions
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels of the organization
Comfortable working across global time zones and handling multiple priorities simultaneously
Written and oral fluency in English is required
Preferred
Experience with clinical trial agreements strongly preferred
Experience supporting SEC compliance and filings and/or FDA regulatory matters is highly desirable
Benefits
Discretionary annual bonus
Participation in our equity program
401(k) plan
Company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
Generous paid time off
Health and wellness program
Company
Centessa Pharmaceuticals
Centessa Pharmaceuticals is a next-generation biopharmaceutical company that aims to reshape the traditional drug development process.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$1.12BKey Investors
Oberland Capital
2025-11-11Post Ipo Equity· $250M
2024-09-11Post Ipo Equity· $225M
2024-04-23Post Ipo Equity· $100M
Leadership Team
John Crowley
Chief Financial Officer
Gregory Weinhoff
Chief Business Officer
Recent News
BioWorld Financial Watch
2026-01-22
2026-01-05
Company data provided by crunchbase