Assistant General Counsel - Preclinical Research Contracting

The people of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) are united by a singular mission: ending cancer for life. Our specialized care teams provide personalized, compassionate, expert care to patients of all ages. Informed by basic research done at our Sloan Kettering Institute, scientists across MSK collaborate to conduct innovative translational and clinical research that is driving a revolution in our understanding of cancer as a disease and improving the ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat it. MSK is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and clinicians, who go on to pursue our mission at MSK and around the globe.

Assistant General Counsel, Preclinical Research Contracting, Office of General Counsel 

MSK’s Office of General Counsel is seeking an experienced attorney to join its Preclinical Research Contracting team. In this role, you will have the opportunity to support and advise our scientific and research leaders and aid the MSK Legal team in advancing MSK’s mission of ending cancer for life.

Role Overview:

• Independently draft, review, negotiate, and manage agreements related to preclinical research, translational research, and licensing transactions.
• Develop strong working relationships with investigators and other internal stakeholders.
• Maintain and update relevant contract systems and databases, including providing timely updates to internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist with developing and implementing MSK contract guidance documents, workflows, policies, and SOPs.
• Contribute to special legal projects and initiatives, as needed, under guidance of the Associate General Counsel for Preclinical Research Contracts and OGC Legal Leadership.

Key Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor with active bar membership in good standing.
• Approximately 3-5 years of experience drafting complex agreements for preclinical and translational research (sponsored research agreements, collaborative research agreements, materials and data transfer agreements, complex multiparty collaboration agreements, etc.), and licensing-related agreements (license agreements, revenue sharing agreements, inter-institutional agreements, etc.).
• Law firm experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of contract law, intellectual property issues, and research transactions.
• Demonstrated interest in science, research and/or healthcare.

Core Skills:

• Outstanding written and verbal communication.
• Excellent issue spotting and negotiating with sharp attention to detail.
• Exceptional professionalism and client service, including discretion, diplomacy, and sound legal and business judgment.
• Adeptness at building partnerships and working collaboratively across teams to meet shared objectives.
• Strong project management and prioritization, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment notable for a high volume of contract requests and deadlines.

Additional Information:

• Location: Hybrid with at least two days required onsite at 633 Third Avenue, in NYC (currently Mondays and Tuesdays).
• Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
• Reporting to the Associate General Counsel for Preclinical Contracts

Closing:

At MSK, we believe in fair, competitive pay that reflects your job, experience, and skills.

MSK is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruiting and employment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran status or any other factor which cannot lawfully be used as a basis for an employment decision.  

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.