Senior Corporate Counsel
Over the coming years, biotech will fundamentally rewrite the way we live. Gene editing and cell therapy are dramatically changing how we treat cancer and other major illnesses. Biofuels and biomaterials are transforming the cars we drive, the clothes we wear, and the makeup of everyday objects. Crop science and synthetic biology are producing sustainable and ethical food. Benchling’s mission is to accelerate the research that propels us towards this reality, and magnify its impact, through modern software.
Every day, scientists around the world use Benchling’s applications, platform, & analytics in their efforts to solve humanity’s most pressing problems. For these scientists, Benchling is the central technology they use to conduct their research. Our customers include pharmaceutical giants, leading biotechs, and the world’s most renowned research institutes.
ROLE OVERVIEW
We are looking for a mission-driven, collaborative, and highly-motivated individual to join as an early member of the legal team as we assemble a world-class group from the ground up. The right person for this role must be a team player who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and is able to balance legal risk with business objectives. As a Senior Corporate Counsel, and one of our first lawyers, you will be an integral part of key strategic initiatives, governance, and corporate transactions, and will have a broad range of responsibilities. You will make substantial contributions to our IPO readiness efforts, including partnering with key stakeholders on external communications, and advising on stock administration matters relating to public company readiness.
WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON
- Scaling the corporate legal function as we grow and mature towards public company readiness.
- Counseling on securities law compliance in the United States and all other applicable jurisdictions.
- Participating in various efforts related to corporate development, corporate and Board governance, and potential preparation for public markets.
- Overseeing legal aspects of corporate transactional matters, including M&A, corporate finance, leases and other facilities related transactions.
- Advising on corporate governance matters, including support in connection with preparations for Board of Directors, Board Committee and shareholder meetings.
- Supporting global corporate administration efforts, including compliance with relevant international, federal, and state laws, and maintaining foreign and domestic entities.
- Counseling on a range of related corporate matters such as SEC reporting, executive compensation and stock administration.
- Collaborating cross-functionally with Finance, HR, senior leadership and other members of the team.
ABOUT YOU
- J.D., with strong academic credentials and membership in at least one U.S. state bar (CA, NY preferred).
- 5+ years of experience as corporate and securities counsel (including in-house and law firm experience). Significant public company reporting and/or recent IPO experience is essential.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with ability to advocate for a position while maintaining collaborative and open-minded approach.
- Highly organized, reliable, detail-oriented, and diligent.
- Ability to work on multiple issues simultaneously and to set appropriate priorities with clients and to deliver results efficiently.
- Proven ability to provide entrepreneurial, pragmatic, business-oriented advice, with a dedication to superior customer service.
- Ability to operate autonomously while being a team player who brings a positive attitude to the job.
- Deep knowledge of US corporate, securities and financial laws with particular focus on corporate transactions, securities law compliance and corporate governance.
- Most importantly, you have a growth mindset, embrace change, and practice with kindness, humility, empathy, integrity, and levity.
Benchling welcomes everyone. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity and inclusion by broadening our ways of problem-solving for future challenges. Even if you don't meet 100% of the qualifications for this job, we strongly encourage you to apply.
LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES
- Admit mistakes and shortcomings
- Deliver results
- Disagree and commit
- Obsess over customers
- Rely on work ethic
- Show empathy
- Recruit and develop the best
- Sweat the details
- Think and communicate clearly
- Unite around the mission
PERKS AND BENEFITS
- Work with a talented yet humble team
- Competitive compensation & equity package
- Quarterly mental health days
- Weekly virtual social events, and annual company retreats
- 401k, Medical, dental, and vision insurance (US Employees Only)
- Monthly health & wellness stipend (Currently US Employees Only)
- Yearly educational stipend (Currently US Employees Only)
- To support remote work conditions, Benchling provides each employee a one-time stipend of $1,000(USD) upon commencing employment, and additional discounted employee purchase plans for home-office equipment.
In following best practices and safety protocols, all Benchling employees are expected to work remotely until we are further advised that it is safe for employees to resume work in their respective office locations.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
