Director Contract Administration

Ascentage Pharma – Who we are:

Ascentage Pharma (Nasdaq: AAPG and HKEX: 6855) is a global, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel therapies for cancer and other diseases. Ascentage Pharma is proud of its collaborative and supportive culture, unified by a shared desire to develop therapeutics that will have a positive impact on patients’ lives. Ascentage Pharma is a dynamic and fast-paced organization that has been responsive to the needs of individual employees throughout its history. The company is defined by a shared understanding that it succeeds in advancing its mission only as each experience’s success in their role. Following our recent IPO on NASDAQ, we are expanding our U.S. leadership team to support financial compliance, reporting rigor, and scalable growth in a complex, multinational environment.

role.

Director of Contracts Administration

• Job Title: Director of Contracts Administration
• Department: Legal
• Location: Remote or Rockville, MD (Hybrid Preferred)
• Reports To: SVP and General Counsel

Position Summary

The Director of Contracts Administration will play a key role in managing the company’s contract lifecycle, from drafting and negotiation to execution and compliance. This position supports the SVP, General Counsel in overseeing a wide range of agreements, including clinical trial agreements, vendor contracts, licensing deals, CDAs and related agreements. The role requires collaboration with legal, finance, clinical operations and development, medical affairs, and human resources teams to ensure contracts align with business objectives, mitigate risks, and comply with life sciences regulations and public company standards. The Director may also supervise junior contract staff and manage contract administration processes.

Key Responsibilities

Contract Management:

• Draft, review, negotiate, and finalize a variety of contracts, including clinical trial agreements, manufacturing agreements, vendor contracts, confidential or non-disclosure agreements (CDAs or NDAs), and licensing agreements.
• Ensure contract terms align with company objectives, protect intellectual property, and comply with regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, HIPAA, GDPR) and public company governance standards (e.g., Sarbanes-Oxley).
• Track contract milestones, deliverables, and renewals to ensure timely execution and compliance.

Process and System Management:

• Maintain and update contract management systems (e.g., D2) to ensure accurate records, reporting, and accessibility of contract data.
• Streamline contract workflows to improve efficiency and reduce turnaround times.
• Develop and maintain templates and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for contract administration.

Team Support and Supervision:

• Supervise and mentor junior contract administrators or coordinators, providing guidance on contract drafting, negotiation, and compliance.
• Manage team workload, prioritizing tasks, and ensuring high-quality deliverables.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate closely with legal counsel to ensure contracts meet regulatory and compliance requirements specific to the life sciences industry.
• Collaborate with finance to align contract terms with budgeting, invoicing, and revenue recognition processes for public reporting.
• Support clinical development, clinical operations, and medical affairs teams by facilitating agreements with CROs (Contract Research Organizations), CMOs (Contract Manufacturing Organizations), and academic partners.

Risk Management and Compliance:

• Identify potential risks in contract terms and propose solutions to mitigate financial, legal, or operational exposure.
• Monitor regulatory changes in the life sciences industry and ensure contract practices remain compliant.
• Support audits and due diligence processes related to contracts for SEC reporting or regulatory inspections.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Function as a point of contact for internal and external stakeholders on contract-related matters, escalating complex issues to the SVP, General Counsel as needed.
• Assist in negotiations with contractors, consultants, vendors, partners, and other external parties to secure favorable terms.

Education, Experience and Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Life Sciences, Legal Studies, or a related field required; advanced degree (e.g., Paralegal certificate) or certification (e.g., Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM) is a plus.

Experience

• 5–8 years of experience in contract management within the life sciences, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical industry is strongly preferred.
• Experience with contracts in a publicly listed company or highly regulated industry is preferred.
• Familiarity with clinical trial agreements, licensing deals, or vendor contracts in the life sciences sector is required.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of life sciences regulations (e.g., FDA, EMA, HIPAA) and basic knowledge of public company compliance.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills with high diligence.
• Proficiency in contract management software.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.
• Leadership potential to supervise junior staff and contribute to team development.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with international contracts or global regulatory frameworks (e.g., GDPR, ICH guidelines).
• Background in intellectual property management or licensing in the life sciences sector.
• Familiarity with financial reporting requirements for contracts in a public company.

Why Join Us- Our Value Proposition

This is a rare opportunity to shape the clinical vision of a public biotech at a pivotal growth moment—and see your work make a tangible impact for patients. If you want to do something that matters—this work matters. Patients drive our passion to pioneer novel cancer therapies. Creating and delivering life-changing medicines requires focus, dedication, and heart. We hire exceptional people, trust them to do their best work, and support them with the resources and flexibility to thrive.

What We Offer

• Exciting, supportive, and intellectually challenging global work environment.
• Competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, parental leave, and a matching 401(k) program (immediate vesting).
• Generous PTO and holidays encourage balance and recharge.
• A culture of engagement, diversity, inclusion, and empowerment.
• Flexibility to work onsite, remotely, or in a hybrid model.

Compensation and Benefits

At Ascentage, base pay is one part of a competitive total rewards package that includes comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and more), equity, and the potential to receive annual target bonuses. Actual pay is based on factors such as location, experience, skills, education, and internal equity.