Director, Contracts

Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the largest medical challenges of our time. Denali Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies for neurodegenerative diseases through our deep commitment to degeneration biology and principles of translational medicine. Denali is founded on the collaboration of leading scientists, industry experts, and investors who share the vision that scientific discovery energetically applied to translational medicine is the key to delivering effective therapies to patients.

The Director, Contracts will be based in South San Francisco and will play a key role in supporting the legal and business teams by executing on day-to-day contract lifecycle at Denali. This role is perfect for someone who has a life sciences background and is skilled at negotiating, reviewing, and streamlining contracts while working in a fast-paced, collaborative biotech environment.

Key Accountabilities/Core Job Responsibilities:

• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of agreements, including renewals, amendments, statements of work, confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, research collaborations, and other vendor contracts.

• Learn the science behind Denali’s portfolio and be able to communicate and establish credibility with scientists and leadership.

• Be accountable for certain day-to-day R&D contract workflow, ensuring contracts assigned to you are drafted, processed, reviewed, tracked, and executed accurately in a timely manner.

• Maintain accurate records for all contract-related correspondence and documentation and support Denali’s internal contract database.

• Review purchase order requests, ensure proper contractual support for company purchases, and support the internal financial approval system.

• Partner with Discovery, Development, Manufacturing, Commercial, Legal, and other functions to ensure contract terms and processes align with R&D needs and compliance obligations.

• Interface with external partners, vendors, and service providers to foster productive company relationships and skillfully and collaboratively negotiate key contract terms, balancing scientific principles and business needs with legal risk.

• Help develop and refine contract templates, playbooks, and processes that enable and protect scientific discovery and drug development and enhance efficiency and consistency of contracting.

• Summarize key contract terms, and identify and escalate risks when needed.

• Provide timely contract status updates as needed.

• Lead direct report(s) through annual goal setting, growth planning, adherence to company policies, maintain training compliance and provide ongoing feedback on growth, development and areas of improvement.

Qualifications/Skills:

• Advanced degree in the life sciences required; Ph.D. preferred.

• 10 years experience in contract management or business development in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences industry, including experience leading a contracts function.

• Detail-oriented and experienced at records and database management, including use and development of contract management systems and accurate and error-free data entry support.

• Proven experience processing, drafting, and negotiating basic legal agreements, including statements of work, renewals, amendments, confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, and research collaborations related to drug discovery.

• Basic understanding of contract law within the biopharma industry.

• Skilled negotiator with the ability to communicate contract terms and scientific principles.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities, with a desire to grow and improve existing processes.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across the enterprise.

• Ability to work with contract lifecycle management (CLM) systems.

• Ability to thrive, exhibit agility, and respond professionally to requests in a science-intensive, fast-paced environment within timelines and shifting priorities.

• Motivated to communicate strategy and report on results to all levels of the company.

Salary Range: $196,000.00 to $248,000.00 . Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Denali offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k, healthcare coverage, ESPP and a broad range of other benefits. Learn more at https://www.denalitherapeutics.com/careers

This compensation and benefits information is based on Denali’s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.This compensation and benefits information is based on Denali’s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.

Denali is committed to its core company value of unity by creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.