Position Summary:
We are seeking a highly motivated attorney to join our legal team as Corporate Counsel/Sr. Corporate Counsel. This role will support the company’s public company reporting obligations, corporate governance processes, compliance initiatives, and contracting activities across the organization. Title and level will be determined based on experience and scope of responsibility.
This position is well-suited for a life sciences attorney who thrives in a fast-paced, clinical-stage biotech environment and enjoys partnering with cross-functional teams to provide practical legal guidance. The role requires strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage a broad range of legal matters in a growing organization.
The successful candidate will work closely with the General Counsel and senior leadership, partnering with teams across Finance, Investor Relations, Clinical Development, Regulatory, Technical Operations, and HR, and coordinating with external counsel as needed.
Key Responsibilities:
Securities & Corporate Governance
- Assist in the preparation and review of SEC filings, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, proxy statements, and Section 16 filings.
- Partner with Finance and Investor Relations to support the company’s disclosure processes, planning and drafting, including for earnings releases, investor presentations, and proxy materials.
- Monitor and advise on securities law compliance, including Nasdaq listing standards, Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, and insider trading policies.
- Provide legal support for capital markets transactions, including equity offerings and financings common in clinical-stage biotech companies.
- Support Board of Directors and committee governance activities, including preparation of board materials and maintenance of governance documentation.
- Provide legal guidance on corporate governance and regulatory requirements affecting the organization.
- Partner with HR and leadership on matters including equity plans and corporate policies.
Healthcare, Data Privacy, and Corporate Compliance
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and cross-functional teams on business and compliance strategies, establishing the Compliance function as an approachable, knowledgeable, practical, and solutions-oriented business partner.
- Assist with the development and maintenance of policies and procedures to support the company’s corporate governance initiatives, healthcare compliance programs, and privacy framework, including the company’s code of business conduct and ethics.
- Serve as the go-to internal lead for guidance concerning compliance-related regulations, including data protection, information security, GDPR, and HIPAA, and monitor changes in healthcare compliance and data protection requirements to operationalize “fit for purpose” program updates.
- Coordinate and support the company’s privacy program activities, including Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), Records of Processing Activities (RoPAs), data mapping, maintenance of related documentation, and facilitation of data subject requests.
- Lead risk assessments to identify and prioritize compliance-related risks.
- Develop and deliver risk-based compliance training and guidance materials for employees across the company.
- Partner with the company’s Information Technology team to mitigate information security-related risks, including risks related to AI adoption, privacy matters, and cybersecurity incidents.
Contracting Matters
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of life sciences agreements, including:
- Clinical trial agreements
- CRO and vendor agreements
- Manufacturing and supply agreements
- Licensing and collaboration agreements
- Research and development agreements
- Technology and services agreements
- Serve as a legal partner to cross-functional teams including Clinical Development, Regulatory, Technical Operations, R&D, and G&A functions.
- Support negotiation of complex and high-impact agreements, liaise with our clinical research organizations (CROs) to manage all aspects of contracting processes for large scale clinical trials, and escalate strategic matters as appropriate.
- Contribute to the development of contract templates, playbooks, and contracting best practices to improve efficiency and consistency.
Cross-Functional Legal Support
- Partner with the General Counsel and legal team on a variety of matters affecting the organization.
- Provide legal support on issues arising throughout the drug development lifecycle, including regulatory, operational, and compliance considerations.
- Coordinate with external counsel and internal stakeholders to support key legal initiatives and transactions.
- Contribute to a collaborative, business-oriented legal function that supports the company’s mission and growth.
Qualifications:
- J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to practice in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
- 6+ years of legal experience, including corporate securities, compliance, and/or commercial contracting experience at a top law firm and/or public life sciences company.
- Strong knowledge of SEC regulations, Sarbanes-Oxley, public company disclosure requirements, and stock exchange listing standards.
- Experience drafting and negotiating complex life sciences or other agreements, particularly those supporting clinical development and technical operations.
- Understanding of drug development lifecycle and regulatory environment impacting biotechnology companies.
- Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, make decisions with incomplete information, and operate effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Preferred Experience:
- Experience supporting a clinical-stage biotechnology or pharmaceutical company.
- Familiarity with clinical development operations, CRO agreements, manufacturing agreements, and licensing transactions.
- Experience supporting public company reporting and governance processes.
- Experience working in a lean legal team environment with exposure to a broad range of legal matters.
- Demonstrated project management skills, including successful execution of complex projects with multiple stakeholders and utilization of soft skills to maximize team collaboration and effectiveness.
About Upstream Bio:
Upstream Bio is a public company based in Waltham, MA. We are developing verekitug, the only known antagonist currently in development that targets the receptor for Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP). We have advanced this highly potent monoclonal antibody into separate Phase 2 trials for the treatment of severe asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our experienced team is committed to maximizing verekitug’s unique attributes to address the substantial unmet needs for patients underserved by today’s standard of care. Learn more about us at upstreambio.com.
Compensation
Target Salary Range: $234,000 -$286,000
*Base Compensation for this role will depend on a number of factors including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Base pay is only one component of the company’s total rewards package. All regular employees are also eligible for the company’s cash bonus and equity incentive programs. Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, etc.
