Senior Strategic Officer

Our startup client is looking for an experienced legal leader to help shape the foundation of a newly launched biotech organization in Oakland, California. This role will provide executive-level guidance on legal, regulatory, and intellectual property matters as the company builds its research capabilities in human health. The ideal candidate will partner closely with scientific and business leaders to establish practical frameworks that support growth, compliance, and strategic decision-making from the outset.

Responsibilities:

• Partner with scientific leadership to create a legal strategy roadmap during the company’s initial launch phase.

• Develop clear guidance documents covering regulatory obligations, compliance priorities, and risk management for biotechnology operations.

• Advise on complex intellectual property arrangements, including interpretation and application of inter-company agreements.

• Design contracting strategies for customer and partner relationships with a strong focus on protecting proprietary technology and research interests.

• Provide senior counsel on corporate legal matters, transactions, and governance issues relevant to an early-stage biotech business.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external intellectual property counsel to support licensing, commercial agreements, and strategic partnerships.

• Build alignment across legal, scientific, and operational teams by establishing cross-functional decision-making practices.

• Offer high-level legal direction while coordinating with internal legal operations resources that manage detailed execution and administrative follow-through.

• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 10+ years of legal experience, including substantial work in biotechnology or life sciences.
• Deep knowledge of intellectual property law, including licensing, agreement structuring, and biotech-related IP strategy.
• Strong background in corporate law, corporate transactions, and legal issues affecting emerging companies.
• Experience advising early-stage startup organizations on legal strategy, governance, and business risk.
• Understanding of regulatory and compliance considerations relevant to biotech research and human health applications.
• Ability to communicate effectively with scientific, executive, and cross-functional teams in a strategic advisory capacity.