Associate Director, Contracts at Beam Therapeutics in Cambridge, MA

Job description

Company Overview: Beam Therapeutics is a biotechnology company committed to establishing the leading, fully integrated platform for precision genetic medicines. To achieve this vision, Beam has assembled a platform with integrated gene editing, delivery and internal manufacturing capabilities. Beam’s suite of gene editing technologies is anchored by base editing, a proprietary technology that is designed to enable precise, predictable and efficient single base changes, at targeted genomic sequences, without making double-stranded breaks in the DNA. This has the potential to enable a wide range of therapeutic editing strategies that Beam is using to advance a diversified portfolio of base editing programs. Beam is a values-driven organization committed to its people, cutting-edge science, and a vision of providing life-long cures to patients suffering from serious diseases. Position Overview: Beam Therapeutics is seeking a talented, practical and highly motivated contracts professional to serve as Associate Director, Contracts. This individual will independently draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of agreements supporting Beam’s clinical, research, manufacturing, quality, commercial-readiness, procurement, technology, and corporate activities. The Associate Director will manage contracting matters throughout the contract lifecycle, provide clear and commercially informed guidance to business partners, and identify and appropriately escalate legal, compliance, privacy, intellectual-property, financial, and operational risks. This individual will collaborate closely with cross-functional stakeholders to facilitate timely execution, support business objectives, and promote consistent contracting practices. The role will also contribute to the continued development of Beam’s contracting templates, systems, processes, and training resources. Responsibilities: Manage assigned matters throughout the contract lifecycle, including intake, assessment, drafting, negotiation, stakeholder alignment, approvals, execution, administration, and record retention. Advise stakeholders on appropriate contracting structures and ensure alignment among agreements, statements of work, budgets, requisitions, purchase orders, and governing agreements. Identify, assess, and appropriately escalate contractual, legal, compliance, privacy, financial, and operational risks while developing practical solutions that support business objectives. Coordinate contract approvals, execution, and recordkeeping through Agiloft, and other applicable systems. Develop and enhance contract templates, clause libraries, negotiation guidance, fallback positions, checklists, and contracting procedures. Provide business partners with clear guidance regarding contracting requirements, intake processes, approval pathways, signature authority, and use of approved templates. Serve as an experienced resource to the Contracts team by sharing institutional knowledge, supporting onboarding and development, and promoting consistent contracting practices. Manage a high-volume portfolio of contracting matters from intake through execution and record retention, independently establishing priorities, communicating status and timing, and promptly addressing urgent or business-critical requests. Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, including process and workflow enhancements, contracting-system improvements, template updates, training materials, and other Legal priorities. Stay informed of relevant legal, regulatory, and industry developments affecting contracting practices within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree, with a JD preferred. Typically 10+ years including 5 years of progressively relevant experience negotiating biotechnology contracts, including experience independently managing complex negotiations with limited supervision. Excellent document drafting skills, with high attention to detail. Experience with global c