Associate Counsel

About the Role

Are you a technology-fluent associate ready to leave law firm billable hours behind and build a long-term in-house career?

Our client, a global technology company serving the life-sciences sector, is hiring an ambitious Associate Contracts Counsel (approximately 3 years of post-qualification experience) for a high-visibility, fast-growth role. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, who is based in Europe, you will be the second attorney in a lean global legal team, working closely with the company’s North San Diego County executive team while taking full ownership of the commercial contracting pipeline.

This position suits a self-driven attorney who already speaks the language of technology: you know IT licensing, AI frameworks, and global data privacy, and you want to apply and deepen that expertise in-house.

What Makes This Role Different

• End-to-end ownership: The legal team runs lean. You will negotiate directly with Fortune 500 pharmaceutical legal teams and executive leadership while managing the contract repository, e-filing, and day-to-day administration without assistant support.
• Day-one subject matter expert: You bring the IT/technology, SaaS, AI, and data privacy expertise from the start.
• Career acceleration: Direct mentorship from the General Counsel, global deal experience, and a foundation to grow into a senior legal leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements supporting global marketplace operations
• Lead negotiation of complex technology and IT agreements, including software licensing, SaaS, system integrations, procurement system integrations, and emerging AI technologies
• Serve as a trusted legal business partner to internal stakeholders across North America, Europe, and Asia, delivering practical, commercially minded advice
• Partner with the General Counsel to build and refine legal playbooks, contract templates, and scalable processes for a growing global business
• Manage your own workload independently, escalating only high-risk strategic matters to the General Counsel

Qualifications

• Approximately 3 years of post-qualification experience, in-house or at a reputable law firm
• Demonstrable, strong background drafting and negotiating IT and technology contracts, specifically software, integrations, procurement system integrations, and AI solutions
• Highly organized and comfortable operating without a large legal support team; able to drive negotiations to close on your own
• Willingness to keep a flexible schedule to accommodate cross-border calls and negotiations across North America, Europe, and Asia
• Experience in the pharmaceutical, life-sciences, or health-tech sectors is highly preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to turn complex legal concepts into actionable business guidance; fluent in English
• Based in, or willing to relocate to, North San Diego County, with the ability to work in the office 3 days per week alongside local executive leadership

Working Model and Location

• Location: North San Diego County, California
• Hybrid schedule: 3 days per week in the office, 2 days remote
• Global alignment: Comfortable working in a hybrid environment while keeping a flexible schedule for cross-border calls with the Europe-based General Counsel and global stakeholders

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary: $130,000-$160,000
• 401(k) with company match
• Full medical and dental coverage
• Health savings account (HSA)

Why Join

• Direct impact: Shape the commercial legal framework of a global marketplace
• Mentorship: Work directly with an experienced General Counsel
• Innovation: Be at the forefront of digital transformation in the pharmaceutical industry

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