Director, Corporate Counsel, Early Research & Development

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary legal advisor and strategic partner for the Early Research & Development organization.
• Lead the drafting, negotiation, and execution of complex research and collaboration agreements, including CDAs/NDAs, MSAs, MTAs, SRAs, and licensing agreements.
• Provide proactive, risk-based legal counsel to scientific and business stakeholders to support research initiatives and external innovation.
• Partner with the Intellectual Property team to support patent strategy, technology transactions, and IP protection.
• Advise on contractual risk allocation, governance structures, publication rights, and ownership of intellectual property.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Business Development, Procurement, and Compliance to support due diligence and strategic partnering.

Requirements

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school and active membership in a U.S. state bar.
• 7+ years of relevant legal experience, specifically within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences industry.
• Substantial experience negotiating and drafting research, collaboration, and licensing agreements.
• Deep understanding of intellectual property principles, including patent, licensing, and commercialization issues.
• Proven ability to partner with scientific teams and translate complex technical concepts into practical legal advice.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• In-house legal experience within a biotechnology or pharmaceutical company.
• Experience supporting early-stage research, discovery, or translational science organizations.
• Familiarity with academic collaborations, sponsored research, and technology transfer practices.
• Advanced scientific training or a strong aptitude for understanding complex technical concepts.

About the Company

BioMarin is a leading rare disease biotechnology company focused on developing medicines that make a profound impact on people’s lives. Since 1997, our global teams have delivered a portfolio of revolutionary therapies for genetically defined conditions, helping patients and families who previously had few available options.