Associate General Counsel, Corporate and Securities

Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for the role, Associate General Counsel, Corporate and Securities.

The Company

The Company is a publicly traded biotechnology organization headquartered in the greater Los Angeles area. It develops next-generation therapies and vaccines designed to harness the immune system to combat cancer and infectious diseases. Its immunotherapy and cell therapy platforms, used alone or in combination, are designed to deliver durable, safe protection and reduce reliance on high-dose chemotherapy.

The company’s lead product is an FDA-approved immunotherapy for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. The broader pipeline includes multiple clinical trials across oncology and infectious disease indications, with technologies spanning antibody cytokine fusion proteins, cancer vaccines, and autologous and allogeneic cell therapies.

The company has achieved meaningful regulatory milestones and continues to advance clinical programs across several therapeutic areas, including bladder cancer, lung cancer, glioblastoma, ovarian cancer, HIV, and solid tumors. Its development strategy is supported by a combination of late-stage studies, early-stage trials, and expanded access programs.

The company has evolved through a combination of public-market activity, business combinations, and continued investment in research, development, and manufacturing capabilities.

Its mission is to translate advanced biological technologies into innovative treatments that improve patient outcomes worldwide.

Position Summary

The Associate General Counsel – Corporate and Securities will provide legal and strategic advice across the Company, focusing on corporate law (including securities and governance), compliance, and legal operations. This role will lead policy development and continuous improvement. This experienced attorney will partner closely with the General Counsel and senior leadership, without direct reports, to ensure security compliance, oversee governance processes, and implement structure in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Essential Functions

SEC Compliance & Securities

• Serve as the primary legal partner to Finance and the General Counsel on all SEC reporting matters, including reviewing and advising on 10-Ks, 10-Qs, and registration statements
• Draft and file 8-Ks, proxy statements, and other required disclosures ensuring timely and accurate public reporting while adapting to fast-moving developments and changes
• Oversee Section 16 reporting (Forms 3, 4, and 5) and manage the preclearance process for designated insiders with efficiency and discretion
• Monitor securities law compliance, including Regulation FD, insider trading policies, and disclosure controls
• Advise on capital markets transactions, financings, and M&A activities from a securities law perspective

Corporate Governance

• Support the General Counsel in managing all Board of Directors and Committee matters, including meeting materials, resolutions, and minutes
• Develop, maintain, and update corporate governance policies, charters, and bylaws
• Ensure compliance with NASDAQ listing standards and corporate governance best practices
• Oversee document retention and records management policies in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
• Coordinate annual shareholder meetings and proxy solicitation processes

Entity Management & Corporate Records

• Manage domestic and international subsidiary governance, including entity formation, maintenance, and dissolution
• Maintain corporate record books, capitalization tables, and organizational documents for all entities
• Oversee stock administration matters, including equity plan management and transfer agent coordination
• Ensure compliance with state and foreign qualification requirements and annual reporting obligations
• Coordinate with external counsel on jurisdictional matters and corporate structural changes

Litigation Management

• Work with the General Counsel to provide strategic litigation support, including case assessment, budget management, and outside counsel oversight
• Manage third-party discovery requests, litigation holds, and document production
• Resolve pre-litigation disputes and compliance issues through negotiation and alternative dispute resolution
• Develop and implement litigation prevention strategies and training programs

Employment Law

• Support the General Counsel in partnering with Human Resources on employment law matters, policy development, and employee relations issues
• Draft, review, and update employee handbooks, offer letters, separation agreements, and restrictive covenant agreements
• Advise on wage and hour compliance, leave administration, and anti-discrimination/harassment matters
• Manage employment-related claims, agency charges, and investigations
• Develop and maintain data security and privacy policies related to employee information

Real Estate & Facilities

• Negotiate and manage commercial lease agreements, amendments, and landlord-tenant matters
• Oversee real estate transactions, including site acquisitions, dispositions, and facility expansions
• Coordinate with facilities management on construction contracts, vendor agreements, and workplace safety compliance
• Manage property-related disputes and ensure compliance with environmental and zoning regulations

Ad-Hoc Projects & Strategic Initiatives

• Lead cross-functional projects supporting business development, strategic partnerships, and operational initiatives
• Anticipate emerging business and regulatory challenges; recommend and implement process improvements and service enhancements
• Provide timely, practical legal advice on novel and complex business issues across all departments
• Support special projects as assigned by the General Counsel, including international expansion and new market entry

The Candidate

Education & Experience

• Juris Doctor degree required
• Member of a State Bar Association (preferably California) required
• 7 years of relevant legal experience with securities law, corporate governance, and risk management required
• Familiarity with entity management and corporate recordkeeping best practices.
• Exceptional organizational skills, ability to manage complex processes, and strong presence/gravitas.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Solutions-oriented with the ability to work effectively with all levels in the organization as well as external parties.
• A strategic thinker and excellent communicator—both verbal and written—with executive presence, collaboration skills, and the ability to consistently meet or exceed project deadlines.
• Ability to lead others, as well as lead and manage multiple projects, while remaining organized and delivering successfully in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Ability to independently identify, analyze, and render legal advice on complex business issues and general corporate matters.
• Must be a strong collaborator and adept at understanding the motivation and needs of others and effectively communicating with a diverse audience, including senior leaders, in a manner that generates confidence and support for legal recommendations.
• Strong people-management skills with a team-building mindset.
• Strong internal and external customer service mentality and sense of urgency.
• Ability and interest in developing expertise in new, complex subject areas.

Working Environment / Physical Environment

• This position works on site.
• Regular work schedule is Monday – Friday, within standard business hours. Flexibility is available with manager approval.