Senior Director, Corporate Counsel

Who We Are: MapLight Therapeutics is a clinical stage biotech company that focuses on drug discovery for central nervous system disorders. We combine cutting-edge technologies including optogenetics, in vivo physiology, and spatial transcriptomics to identify novel drug targets and develop effective therapies to address psychiatric symptoms.

What You’ll Do: Reporting to the General Counsel, the Senior Director, Corporate Counsel will serve as a strategic legal advisor, providing counsel across a broad range of corporate, transactional, and compliance matters. This role offers a unique opportunity to be part of a small but dynamic team, contributing meaningfully to the company’s mission, operations, and strategic objectives. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in corporate law, biotech or life sciences experience, and a strong business acumen.

Responsibilities:

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts, including clinical development, product supply, distribution and licensing agreements.
• Provide legal support for a broad range of corporate transactions, including financing, capital markets and business development transactions.
• Partner effectively and cross-functionally with executive management, R&D, clinical, regulatory, and finance to enable business operations while managing legal risks.
• Assist with intellectual property strategy in collaboration with external IP counsel.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards, including FDA and healthcare compliance.
• Assist in employment, privacy, and data protection matters. as needed.
• Manage external counsel efficiently and cost-effectively.

Qualifications:

• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to at least one U.S. state bar.
• 10+ years of legal experience, with a combination of law firm and in-house (biotech/life sciences preferred).
• Demonstrated experience with corporate matters, capital markets transactions and contract negotiation.
• Experience advising on regulatory and compliance matters relevant to a biotech company.
• Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
• Experience at a small or mid-sized biotech or pharma company.

Location and Travel:

• This role's location can be either Redwood City, CA or Burlington, MA, despite the job post listing Burlington. We welcome candidates in both the San Francisco and Boston areas to apply.
• Limited travel required to support business needs and objectives.

Location: This is a hybrid role with three days per week onsite in either our Burlington, MA or Redwood City, CA offices. Please refer to the city listed on the top of this post for this role's location. 

MapLight Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.