What are the responsibilities and job description for the General Counsel position at Solid Biosciences, Inc.?
General Counsel
Solid Summary:
Solid Biosciences is a life science company focused on advancing a portfolio of neuromuscular and cardiac programs, including SGT-003, a differentiated gene therapy candidate for the treatment of Duchenne, AVB-401, a gene therapy program for the treatment of BAG3 mediated dilated cardiomyopathy, AVB-202-TT, a gene therapy program for the treatment of Friedreich’s Ataxia, and additional assets for the treatment of fatal cardiac diseases. Solid aims to be the center of excellence across a given disease spectrum bringing together those with expertise in science, technology, disease management, and care. Patient-focused and founded by those directly impacted, Solid’s mandate is to improve the daily lives of patients living with these devastating diseases.
Position Summary:
Solid Biosciences is looking to hire a General Counsel, to join the senior leadership team in a fast-paced, growing life sciences company. In this position you will oversee Solid’s legal, compliance and intellectual property functions, both internally and externally through effective use of outside counsel. You will partner with the senior management and executive leadership teams, providing effective legal advice on company strategies and their implementation.
In this position you will manage SEC regulations and public company filings, structuring, drafting and negotiating agreements, overseeing compliance, contracts, intellectual property, providing executive advice and counsel, corporate governance, and working on employee legal matters and issues. You will also serve as the legal advisor and secretary to the Board of Directors. This role is strategic, and will require you to anticipate issues, evaluate risks, while being an advisor and partner to the business.
Essential Functions / Key Responsibilities:
- Partners with the CEO, COO, and members of the senior management and executive leadership teams, and Board of Directors to identify proactive solutions to eliminate or mitigate risks to advance the company’s mission.
- Leverages broad legal subject matter expertise both internal on their team and external through use of outside counsel to span legal areas of corporate and securities transactions, corporate governance, intellectual property, contracts, regulatory, insurance, risk and dispute management, and labor and employment.
- Drive overall legal strategy in line with company strategies while managing day-to-day legal operations.
- Research, design, propose and implement various strategies that align with Solid’s mission, mitigate risk, and preserve operational initiatives.
- Oversee the structure and negotiation of broad business agreements including M&A, license, R&D agreements, joint ventures, and strategic alliances.
- Provides counsel on both the legal ramifications of company strategic imperatives, including but not limited to acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, other possible investments and negotiating and structuring major contracts.
- Develop and oversee comprehensive legal risk systems for global operations, including FDA and international equivalents, antitrust, import/export, and securities laws.
- Coordinates Member and Board of Directors meetings and prepares meeting agendas, minutes and resolutions and reviewing member and board mailing materials.
- Maintain and manage company’s corporate governance and corporate secretary’s matters relating to the company’s Members, Board of Managers and subsidiaries.
- Advises senior management and the board of directors on matters related to securities law compliance and corporate governance.
- Oversees legal aspects of SEC filings including 10-K, 10-Qs, Proxy Statement, 8-Ks, Section 16 reporting (Forms 3, 4 and 5), and Nasdaq compliance.
- Participates in and provides legal guidance in investor relations and corporate communications matters.
- Develops and manages a strategic plan for providing legal services to support business objectives; recruit, develop, lead, train, and mentor team of in-house lawyers and other legal staff in accordance with the strategic plan. Manages overall administrative and budget management relating to the legal department.
- Supports Business Development in conducting or providing due diligence, drafting and reviewing term sheets and definitive agreements, and obtaining input of appropriate stakeholders
- Performs other related duties and ad hoc projects as required by position
Basic Qualifications:
- JD with 15 years of legal experience gained through a major law firm and in-house experience preferred. 10 Pharmaceutical or bio-pharmaceutical company experience preferred.
- 5 years of leadership experience as General Counsel at a publicly traded company is ideal.
- Must be an attorney in good standing with license to practice in at least one state (MA preferred)
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations of the SEC under those acts, and of the requirements of NASDAQ.
- Demonstrated financial literacy, comprehension, and articulation of corporate finance disclosure issues required
- Demonstrated understanding of Delaware Limited Liability Company and Corporation Laws and proficient in the principles and practice of major aspects of LLC and corporate law required
- Experience effectively developing and implementing strategy, in partnership with outside counsel as appropriate, to address complex legal issues.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to connect and recognize the business consequences to legal advice.
- Strategic and innovative leader who can find creative solutions to complex legal problems that work within the organization’s strategy.
- Proven track record of strong negotiation, communication, organizational, and people management skills, and the ability to influence and build relationships without direct authority.
Years of Experience:
- 15 years