Zymeworks

Director, Legal

Legal and Intellectual Property - Seattle, Washington

Why Work for Us?

Innovation. Act with Integrity. Collaboration. Embrace Diversity. Care

We come from many countries, cultures, races, ethnicities, abilities, and nationalities. We bring our passions including singing, biking, swimming, dancing, cooking, volunteering, parenting, coaching and much more! We are proud of our nearly equal balance of men and women and strengthened by our non-binary and transgender team members. Every employee belongs.

We offer challenging career opportunities, competitive benefits and an environment that recognizes and rewards performance.

Company Description

Zymeworks is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of next-generation bispecific and multifunctional biotherapeutics, initially focused on the treatment of cancer. Zymeworks’ suite of complementary therapeutic platforms and its fully-integrated drug development engine provide the flexibility and compatibility to precisely engineer and develop highly-differentiated product candidates.

Zymeworks is seeking a highly-motivated professional who is looking to grow their career with our company.

This position will report to the Vice President, Legal and will be based in either Vancouver, BC or Seattle, WA.

As a condition of employment, Zymeworks requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and provide verification of such.

Key Responsibilities

• Participates in the development of strategic and long-term direction of the Legal and Intellectual Property department. Works with the VP, Legal and members of the senior management team to develop and implement policies, programs, strategies and processes. Ensures department and operational activities are aligned with company objectives.
• Acts as a legal advisor on major business transactions, including deal structuring, financings of various types, acquisitions, licensing and technology transfers and collaborations, and joint ventures.
• Oversees management of the activities of the Legal and Intellectual Property department’s non-IP Legal team.
• Prepares strategy for, negotiates and drafts (and/or oversees the negotiation and drafting by team members) business agreements including master services, supply, manufacturing, software license, confidentiality and data privacy agreements, and provides support in conjunction with external counsel on merger/acquisition agreements, license agreements, R&D agreements, etc.
• Serves as primary point of contact within Legal and Intellectual Property Department to Business Development and Alliance Management team on licensing and collaboration agreements, and works with external counsel as required with respect to such agreements.
• Maximizes company opportunities and minimizes risk and exposure by identifying legal trends and variances and communicating implications of the company’s activities. Analyzes, formulates and implements various strategies accordingly.
• Acts as legal advisor on risk management, corporate governance and securities compliance matters, including Sarbanes-Oxley requirements. Ensures corporate compliance with all securities laws and regulations.
• Acts as a legal advisor on SEC reporting and disclosure matters including 10-Ks, 10-Qs and 8-Ks, Proxy Statements and Forms 3, 4 and 5 for executive officers and directors.
• Develops, manages, communicates and monitors the implementation of policies and procedures relating to securities regulatory issues, and other legal and regulatory issues.
• Leads through example to establish an environment fostering effective and collaborative working relationships.

Qualifications and Education

• JD degree and a minimum of 10 years’ related experience, preferably including both law firm and in-house experience at a publicly held biotechnology/ pharmaceutical company, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Member in good standing of U.S state and/or British Columbia bar.

Skills and Abilities

• Proven interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively as a member of a cross-functional team. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Efficient, focused and pragmatic, offering quality practical legal advice and strategic solutions.
• Strong leadership skills with the proven ability to manage, develop and empower employees.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and concurrent deliverables and work effectively in a challenging, milestone-driven environment.
• Ability to think and act strategically, anticipate roadblocks and map out next steps.
• Significant corporate law, SEC and corporate governance experience.
• Knowledge of and experience with complying with SEC reporting requirements and regulations as well as Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.
• Significant experience contributing to business development activities such as in-licensing, out-licensing and mergers and acquisitions.
• In-depth experience structuring, negotiating and drafting legal documents including collaborative research agreements, procurement contracts, professional services contracts, service level agreements and third-party agreements.
• Sound business acumen with a practical, results-oriented management style that can translate innovative, creative strategies and conceptual thinking into action plans.
• Demonstrated high level of integrity and ethics.
• Extremely strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.

How to Apply

NOTE TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES: Zymeworks values our relationships with our Recruitment Partners. We will only accept resumes from those partners whom have been contracted by a member of our Human Resources team to collaborate with us. Zymeworks is not responsible for any fees related to resumes that are unsolicited or are received without contract.

Zymeworks

Zymeworks is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Submitted: 06/25/2022